Vitamins for pregnant women: what will help and what will harm

Why pregnant women need more vitamins

Pregnancy dramatically increases the need for nutrition. For example, the amount of protein in the diet should increase Protein and Amino Acid Requirements during Pregnancy from 0.8 g per 1 kg of weight (the norm for non-pregnant women) to at least 1.1 g per 1 kg (the norm for expectant mothers). This is necessary in order for the female body to better adapt to the changes taking place in it and to be able to withstand the new load. And also in order for the embryo to receive nutrients sufficient for active development.

But vitamins and minerals are even more important Micronutrient deficiencies in pregnancy worldwide: health effects and prevention. They are involved in the formation of the main systems of the child's body - the brain, nervous system, spine, bones, muscle tissues - and are also responsible for the condition of the placenta. Their deficiency can cause developmental defects or provoke a miscarriage.

Here are vitamins and minerals that are especially needed during pregnancy Micronutrient deficiencies in pregnancy worldwide: health effects and prevention:

Vitamin B9 (folic acid), iron and iodine are needed one and a half times more than usual.
Vitamin B6 and zinc - their consumption should be increased by about 30%.
Vitamin B12 - there should be about 10% more of it.

Vitamins for pregnant women contain Prenatal vitamins: Why they matter, how to choose more folate and iron than standard adult multivitamins.

Which of the pregnant women needs to take extra vitamins

Actually, everyone. This is recommended by Nutrition During Pregnancy, in particular by experts from the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

However, experts make a small reservation: you can try to get the required amount of trace elements from food by increasing the portions and supplementing the diet with meals high in, for example, iron. But in some cases, dietary changes won't help.

Here are the categories of Supplements during pregnancy for pregnant women who will definitely need to take vitamin complexes:

Those who are on a diet or eat poorly. With a monotonous, limited diet, the risk that the child will not receive important substances is especially high.
Vegans. There are a number of vitamins and other trace minerals that can only be obtained from food of animal origin or which are extremely scarce in plant foods. We are talking, for example, about vitamin B12 or zinc.
Pregnant women with severe toxicosis. Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite do not allow you to get an adequate amount of vitamins from food.
Smokers. Let's not say that it would be worth giving up cigarettes for at least 9 months and the period of breastfeeding. Let's just say that nicotine impairs the absorption of Vitamin C and folic acid in Smoking and Nutrition. This means that it can cause abnormalities in the development of the embryo.
Women with multiple pregnancies. For those who are expecting more than one child, the need for micronutrients is significantly higher than for other expectant mothers.
Pregnant women with nutritional deficiencies. This deficiency is established on the basis of a blood test. For example, if the test showed a reduced level of hemoglobin, we can talk about a lack of iron and folic acid.

What vitamins for pregnant women should be taken and in what quantity

The most reliable way to find the vitamins that are right for you is to consult with a therapist or gynecologist who is watching your pregnancy. The doctor will conduct an examination, ask you about your well-being, lifestyle, and give you a referral for the necessary tests. And based on this, he will recommend a complex that contains the correct dosage of the necessary substances.

If for some reason you cannot consult a doctor, the experts of the medical resource WebMD recommend that Prenatal Vitamins select a vitamin complex, the daily dose of which includes:

vitamin B9 (folic acid) - 400 mcg;
vitamin B1 (thiamine) - 3 mg;
vitamin B2 (riboflavin) - 2 mg;
vitamin B3 (niacin) - 20 mg;
vitamin B12 - 6 mcg;
vitamin C - 70 mg;
vitamin D - 400 IU;
vitamin E - 10 mg.

In addition, pregnant women need the following micronutrients:

calcium - 200-300 mg;
zinc - 15 mg;
iron - 17 mg;
iodine - 150 mcg.

Attention! It is impossible to exceed these norms in order not to get an overdose, which is no less dangerous than a deficiency of nutrients.

Prenatal vitamins: Why they matter, how to choose to take omega-3 fatty acids is also desirable: they help the normal development of the brain of the unborn baby. Alternatively, include fatty fish or other foods high in omega-3s in your diet.

What vitamins can be dangerous for pregnant women

Never take Vitamins, supplements and nutrition in pregnancy, vitamin A (retinol) supplements without consulting your healthcare professional. This antioxidant is also necessary for the development of the embryo, but it tends to accumulate in the body. And with an overabundance, retinol becomes toxic and can harm Vitamin A to the child, provoking congenital defects in the development of the eyes, skull, lungs and heart.