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| Prenatal vitamins: Why they're important, and how to choose the prenatal |
Prenatal vitamins
Are you wondering if it is necessary to take vitamins during pregnancy or not? Or what to do if it causes you to become constipated? In this topic, we will try to answer all these questions.
what is The best way to get all the vitamins and minerals you need?
Eating a healthy diet is the best way to get all the vitamins and minerals you need. But during pregnancy, you may be missing out on essential nutrients. If you are pregnant or hoping to become pregnant, you can take a multivitamin during pregnancy to help fill any shortfalls in these nutrients.
What is the reason for the importance of vitamins during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, you will need more folic acid and iron than usual. Here's why:
- Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects. These malformations cause serious disorders in the fetus's brain and spinal cord. Ideally, you'll start taking additional folic acid at least 3 months before you become pregnant.
- Iron supports the growth of the placenta and fetus. Iron helps your body produce blood to oxygenate your fetus. Iron also helps prevent anemia, a condition in which the number of healthy red blood cells in the blood is low.
Which pregnancy vitamins are best?
Pregnancy vitamins are available over the counter at any pharmacy. Your healthcare provider may recommend a specific brand or leave it to you to choose.
In addition to making sure you have folic acid and iron, look for a vitamin to take during pregnancy that contains calcium and vitamin D. These are the two most important elements for the growth of your baby's bones, and it may also be useful to search for a vitamin that you take during pregnancy and contains vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, a group of B vitamins, zinc and iodine.
In addition, your healthcare provider may suggest doses of certain nutrients based on your condition. For example, when a baby is born with a neural tube defect, a healthcare provider may recommend a separate high-dose folic acid supplement — for example, 4 milligrams (4,000 micrograms) — before or at any subsequent pregnancies. during it.
But in general, avoid taking extra vitamins during pregnancy or multivitamins in doses that are more than you need each day. You should be careful here not to take high doses of some vitamins that are harmful to your child. For example, taking too much vitamin A during pregnancy can harm your baby.
Should I be concerned about other nutrients?
Omega-3 fatty acids, a type of fat found naturally in many types of fish, help promote a child's brain development. If you don't eat fish or other foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, your healthcare provider may recommend an omega-3 fatty acid supplement in addition to the vitamins you take during pregnancy.
When should I start taking prenatal vitamins?
It is best to start taking prenatal vitamins before you start getting pregnant. In fact, it's generally a good idea for women of childbearing age to take prenatal vitamins regularly. The fetus's neural tube, which then becomes the brain and spinal cord, develops during the first month of pregnancy, possibly before you know you're pregnant.
Are there any side effects of vitamins that pregnant women take during pregnancy?
Sometimes the iron in the vitamins that a pregnant woman takes during pregnancy contributes to constipation. To prevent constipation:
- drink more fluids
- Have more high-fiber foods in your diet
- Include physical activity in your daily routine as long as your healthcare provider doesn't stop you from exercising
- If these tips don't help, ask your healthcare provider about other options.