When a woman is pregnant it’s essential that she take extra vitamins. The fetus will need a great deal of vitamins and minerals from the mother’s body and if those vitamins aren’t replaced the mother could develop serious health problems and the baby could also suffer in the long run. If you were going to get all the extra vitamins and minerals that you need during pregnancy from eating alone you’d need to be eating 24 hours a day.
Pregnant women are usually prescribed pre-natal vitamins that have super high levels of certain vitamins that are crucial for the woman’s health and the fetus’ health. A woman that isn’t on pre-natal vitamins should take extra vitamins and supplements to make sure that she is getting the nutrients her body needs to support the fetus. The vitamins that especially important during pregnancy are:
Vitamin A & Beta Carotene (700 mcg) –Vitamin A is essential for growing bones and keeping bones and teeth strong.
Vitamin D (5 mcg) Vitamin D is a “helping vitamin” that helps your body process calcium. Vitamin D also helps keeps bones and teeth strong.
Vitamin E (15 mg)-Vitamin E is essential to keep your red blood cells working properly and to help muscle growth in the fetus.
Vitamin C (80 - 85 mg) - Vitamin C will help boost your immune system and keep you strong and healthy during the pregnancy.
Thiamin/B1 (1.4 mg) Thiamin helps support the nervous system and will give you energy.
Riboflavin/B2 (1.4 mg) Riboflavin helps keep your skin clear and healthy and will help the development of the fetus’ eyes.
Niacin/B3 (18 mg) Niacin will help manage your hormones and keep you calm.
Pyridoxine/B6 (1.9 mg) Works to create new red blood cells and will help fight off morning sickness.
Folic Acid/Folate (600 mcg) - Folic Acid is critical to the healthy development of the fetus. It helps maintain the placenta and it prevents several birth defects.
Calcium (1,000 - 1,300 mg)-Calcium is needed by you and the fetus for strong bones, healthy teeth, and strong red blood cells.
Iron (27 mg) –It’s essential that you take an iron supplement during pregnancy. Iron will help prevent anemia, which is one of the most common problems women face during pregnancy. It will also help prevent low birth weight in the fetus and premature delivery.
Protein (60 mg) –Protein will give you energy. It will also help stimulate the production of amino acids.
Zinc (11-12 mg) –Zinc will help your immune system stay strong and healthy and it will also help your body produce insulin and other enzymes that you need in order to keep your body and the fetus healthy.
