Bringing life into this world is a huge responsibility that has been only granted to women. Pregnancy is the time when you have to be the most careful because you are literally carrying another human being inside of you. This little person is entirely dependent on you for nine months and everything you do will have an impact on the baby. Eating healthy is one of the most important things you have to do during this time; your diet needs to comprise of every nutrient and vitamin that the baby will need for proper growth and development. However, the problem is that most women don’t have such diets.
Deprivation from these vitamins and minerals can have serious long-term consequences for the baby after they are born. Therefore, if your diet doesn’t contain these essential ingredients, your child is going to pay the price. This is one of the reasons why women are given prenatal vitamins and supplements by their doctors in pregnancy. Some of the most vital and crucial ones you need to take are:
Folic Acid
According to health experts, every pregnant woman should take a 400 microgram folic acid tablet on a daily basis until they reach their 12th week of pregnancy. It is regarded as one of the most important vitamins to be taken during pregnancy. Not only should you take these tablets, but also consume foods that are high in it such as leafy green vegetables, wholegrains bread, fortified breakfast cereals and brown rice. There are some breakfast cereals, margarines and breads that also include folic acid so it is a good idea to read the labels. If not, you can always find supplements from nearby supermarkets or pharmacies.
Iron
Many women are slightly anemic or running low on iron when they get pregnant. At your first appointment with the doctor, they will check your blood and you will be told to take iron supplements if you are running low. If you don’t want to take iron in supplement form, you can always increase your iron intake through food such as fortified breakfast cereals, red meat, pulses like kidney beans and baked beans, kidneys, bread, green vegetables and eggs. Iron is a must to have in the body because it makes red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body and to the baby.
Calcium
A developing fetus in the body will need lots of calcium for healthy teeth, bones, nerves, muscles and also their heart. In most cases, you can easily get the sufficient amount of calcium through your diet, but teenage mothers need a bit extra. However, women who have a Vitamin D deficiency or don’t consume dairy products are going to have to take calcium supplements to make up for the lack.
Iodine
This is a mineral you can find in some foods and is required by the body for making thyroid hormones. These hormones control a number of important functions in the body such as its metabolism. They are important during pregnancy because they play a notable role in the bone and brain development of the child. If women eat a balanced diet that comprises of sufficient dairy products such as milk as well as fish, they will meet the required iodine intake. But, women who are vegan or avoid these items will need iodine. Most pregnancy supplements and multivitamins contain iodine and you can check the label to be sure.
Vitamin D
Your body needs Vitamin D because it aids in absorbing and using calcium. Yes, you do get Vitamin D from the sun, but a large number of women suffer from its deficiency and this is not considered good for a pregnant woman because they have a baby’s needs to worry about. Most pregnancy supplements contain Vitamin D, but if you are suffering from a deficiency, you might need a higher dosage. This is because the regular supplements don’t have that high an amount to make up for any lack.
Other than these primary vitamins and supplements, pregnant women also need to consume plenty of Vitamin B6 and B12 as well as omega 3 fatty acids to ensure they have a healthy pregnancy and baby.