Pregnancy and Prenatal Vitamins

When pregnant, the expectant mother experiences a lot of biological changes in her body.
To cope with these changes and to enhance healthy condition of the growing baby, prenatal vitamin is vital. Lacking in our diet most often is the pre-natal vitamin which strongly aid the baby development in the womb. Folic acid is often found to be lacking in our diet. Even when present, enough of the vitamin cannot be absorbed into the body during pregnancy. This is the reason why most health specialist recommend that pre-natal supplements be taken.

The Folic acid is said to be the most vital prenatal vitamin. If taken at the very early stage of pregnancy, say within the first four weeks, it reduces the risk of the child having spinal column or neural tube mal function up to 70%.

The recommended intake of folic acid supplement was put at 400 mcg daily for pregnant women and for women who are prone to take in even unplanned for the purpose of prevention.

It is expedient to note here that, aside of the fact that the vitamin supplement is essential at the earlier stage of the pregnancy, health specialist also advice that intake of folic acid should not be discontinued throughout the duration of the pregnancy. Common source of the folic acid include,
1. chicken liver,
2. spinach,
3. break fast cereals and breads. In addition, for the baby to build strong bones and teeth, there must be sufficient intake of calcium.

Calcium is highly concentrated in milk, yogurt, cheese made from hydrogenated oil, calcium citrate form orange juice and cereals which is sometimes considered safest if the juice is made from citrus fruits.

Another vital vitamin supplement that is very much needed for the expectant mother's health and that provides or aid the baby's red blood cells development is iron. It aids the development of the baby's red blood cell, which in turn supplies the baby with oxygen. Sufficient iron will reduce the risk of leaving the mom anemic. But care should be taken so that iron supplement intake will not become excessive. This will hurt both the baby and the mother. Pregnant women need more iron than those yet to be pregnant, and to get the best of this, mineral and vitamin prenatal supplement must be taken as prescribed by doctors. Women who are poor in nutrition and those that are about to give birth to twins must indulge in taking pre-natal supplements.

Even women who are not mal-nourished are still found to be deficient in the B vitamins.
Intake of vitamin supplements, especial those that contain iron, could really be uncomfortable for pregnant women because it often lead to uncomfortable health condition. It has been observed that consistent intake of the pre-natal vitamin, say a month or two before pregnancy, curbs this unhealthy condition and enhance the intake of multi-vitamin and mineral pre-natal supplements during pregnancy. Taking prenatal vitamins supplement is like taking every normal vitamin and has no side effect. Though vitamin supplements are not meant to prevent or serve as an alternative cure for any form of ailment.

The articles on this website should not be used as a basis for any form of diagnosis or treatment for any medical condition. Always seek professional medical advice.