Why You Need Vitamins When You Are Pregnant

Prenatal vitamins help women in supplying their bodies with the right vitamins and minerals on or before pregnancy. These supplements help provide the essential components needed to prepare and nourish a woman’s body for the development of her baby.

Continue reading to know four reasons why you should start consuming prenatal vitamins.

Reduce Risks of Neural Tube Defects for Your Child

Many prenatal vitamins contain a proper amount of folic acid. Also known as folate, the compound’s synthetic version, this mineral may help reduce the risk of neural tube defects in developing infants. Babies may develop rare congenital irregularities while in the womb of their mothers. Supplementing with folate before and during pregnancy may help reduce the risks of congenital deformities from developing.

Consider consuming prenatal vitamins with folate in the first trimester of pregnancy. It’s at this time when the fetus might start developing its organs, along with its brain and spinal cord.

It might be challenging to consume the required daily dose of folic acid from food. Opt for supplementation along with consuming a proper diet.

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Maintain Healthy Blood During Pregnancy

Aside from folate, various prenatal vitamins also have iron. This vital mineral may be in red blood cells. Consuming the recommended amount of iron per day may help provide multiple benefits, like assisting the body in:

Treating anemia
Boosting hemoglobin production
Reducing fatigue
Boosting the immune system
Restoring healthy sleep patterns

According to a report from the National Institutes of Health (NOH), women older than 19 years old need an average of 17 to 18.9 milligrams (mg) of iron per day. The article also claims that the median dietary intake of iron in pregnant women is 14.7 mg per day. Still, expecting mothers might need more than that amount of iron, especially in the last trimester.

It’s in this period when pregnant women may become iron deficient. Infants in wombs might take the nutrients away from their mothers, which includes iron.

Consider undergoing a blood test during this period to check if you’re iron deficient. Your doctor might recommend a reliable set of prenatal vitamins to help the iron in your body return to its normal levels.

Prevents Bone Deficiencies

Drinking milk and consuming dairy products might not be enough to fulfill the calcium needs of pregnant women. Many expecting mothers need strong bones to keep up with the weight of their infants. Also, the calcium you consume may be essential for the baby’s growth.

This mineral may become a vital component for your infant’s bones and teeth. Calcium is also a critical aspect of the healthy development of your child’s nerves, muscles, and heart.

Many prenatal vitamins contain around 100 to 200 mg of calcium. However, specific variants don’t have any calcium content. Therefore, it’s essential to check the nutritional label of the product before buying it.

If your body needs more of the mineral, consult with your physician for supplements with the right amount of calcium.

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Boosts Your Baby’s Brain Power

Various prenatal vitamins have docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). This omega-3 fatty acid is a healthy fat that may help in the development of the baby’s brain and nervous system.

The human brain contains about 60% fat. Adding healthy fat to your daily diet may also reduce the risk of unwanted anomalies developing in your baby’s brain.

Infants in wombs with a low intake of omega-3 fatty acids may also experience other health problems. These health concerns may include:

Autism
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Lower Intelligence Quotient (IQ)
Premature birth

Aside from supplementation with the right prenatal vitamins, you may also improve DHA intake by eating specific fishes. Opt for eating seafood, such as mackerel, salmon, and herring. Anchovies and sardines may also provide you with an excellent omega-3 acid boost for you and your child.

Don’t forget to continue consuming omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods and supplements after pregnancy. Breastfeeding moms may also need the extra nutrients acquired from eating the right foods to help their child’s development after birth. Additionally, consult your doctor for the right time to stop breastfeeding your baby.

Conclusion

Supplementation by consuming the right prenatal vitamins may help reduce certain pregnancy complications. Preterm delivery may be one of the concerns because of low nutrients during pregnancy. Giving birth to a baby with low weight may also happen if you don’t have the right nutrients while your child is still in your womb.

Take prenatal supplements with the required vitamins and minerals for pregnant women to help avoid health problems for you and your baby.