When you discover you are pregnant, questions about your health and that of the baby begin. Beyond the wonder about whether you're having a boy or girl, the first thoughts are often about how to ensure that you will get enough vitamins and minerals to give your baby the best start. Depending on your health and lifestyle, your obstetrician may recommend a supplemental prenatal vitamin, which is manufactured specifically for pregnant and nursing mothers. When using a prenatal vitamin, take only what is recommended and avoid additional vitamin supplements.
Prenatal Vitamins
In addition to a well-balanced diet, prenatal vitamins help ensure that you receive the right combination of vitamins and minerals. According to MayoClnic.com, additional folic acid, calcium and iron are essential supplements for pregnant moms. Folic acid is integral to helping prevent brain and spine defects, and calcium helps promote strong bones and teeth for both the baby and mother. Iron is a mineral that also helps both the mom and baby, as it promotes the development of blood and muscle cells. As the baby develops, it takes the nutrients it needs from the mother, so physicians recommend particular dosages of certain vitamins and minerals to ensure healthy development, without sapping the mother of her necessary nutrition.
Do Not Self-Prescribe
Rather than prescribe what you think you need or take advice from well-meaning family and friends, consult your physician about the right combination of vitamins for you. Too much of a good thing is true when it comes to vitamin supplements, particularly when you are pregnant. In a daily supplement, doses of certain vitamins or minerals may not be high enough, such as folic acid or vitamin D, but other vitamin concentrations may be too high and harmful to the baby. High concentrations of Vitamin A, in particular, are linked to severe birth defects.
Vitamin Overdose
Knowing your body and its normal reactions can be more difficult when you're pregnant, so you may not be able to distinguish properly between your system reacting badly to vitamins and the normal changes in pregnancy. Because nausea is a natural symptom that plagues many pregnant women, it’s not a sound indicator of vitamin overdose or toxicity, so look for other signs that you are not processing the supplemental vitamins properly or that something is amiss, such as skin peeling or shedding, frontal headaches, blurred vision, muscle weakness, bone pain, easy bruising or bleeding, rapid heartbeat and even orange urine. You should also avoid herbal supplements that are not recommended by your physician.
Nutritional Needs While Pregnant
To minimize your need for supplements, eat a healthy diet. The March of Dimes indicates that pregnant women need around 300 extra calories a day to maintain their own health as well as that of their baby. Vegetables, fruits, lean proteins — avoid organ meats or fish high in mercury — pasteurized dairy foods, legumes and grains are essential to a healthy diet and are doubly important for pregnant mothers. Avoid caffeinated sodas and processed foods. It's particularly important to avoid alcoholic beverages while pregnant. Even small amounts of alcohol may be unsafe for your baby.
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