Vitamin Supplements During Pregnancy: What’s Safe and What to Avoid

Vitamins are of utmost necessity in our daily diet, and more so during pregnancy. Apart from vitamins an ideal pregnancy diet should include a healthy amount of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and essential minerals. During pregnancy, the types of vitamins and nutrition to be had become more specific. For the maintenance of your good health and development of the baby’s health, it is important to have the right vitamin supplements in right dosage on the advice of a health care provider’s direct recommendation.

Supplements of vitamins do not replace a healthy diet, but rather ensures that an expecting woman is receiving enough nutrients daily. They work best when taken as a part of a healthy diet. Vitamins are by no means a substitute for a healthy diet but only an assurance on proper nutrition.

Pregnancy Vitamins List

Prenatal vitamins are those that are consumed during the pregnancy before the baby is delivered. This is a very important phase as this is where the baby’s health should be most to be taken care of. These important vitamins for pregnancy are important to help cover for any nutritional gaps in the mother’s diet. Prenatal vitamins contain many essential vitamins and minerals. They include folic acid, iron, iodine, and calcium among others.

1. Folic Acid or Vitamin B9:

There are certain defects known as neural tube birth defects that may hugely damage the spinal cord and the brain. Folic acid which is a synthetic form of Vitamin B9, prevents these defects from occurring in the new-born baby. Foods containing folic acid include green vegetables, lemons, oranges and other citrus fruits, beans nuts apart from many fortified foods. Along with the natural diets, it is always advisable to take a supplement of folic acid as a backup option.

2. Calcium:

Calcium is one of the most crucial nutrients for pregnant women. Since the baby requires abundance of calcium for its bone growth, there might be a deficiency of calcium in the mother’s body and has to be replenished through proper diet.

3. Iodine:

For the proper functioning of thyroid in the body, iodine is highly necessary. A deficiency can cause undesirable problems in the baby like stunted growth, mental instability and inability to hear properly. If it is highly deficient in the body it might also lead to stillbirth and miscarriage.

4. Iron:

Iron can help to carry oxygen in blood of both baby and mother. It is very important to maintain the right iron levels for preventing anemia and blood loss during labor. Also, lack of iron can cause brain defects and anemia in the fetus.

Benefits of Vitamins During Pregnancy:

1. Vitamin D:

Vitamin D is one of the most essential vitamin during pregnancy to ensure a healthy mother and baby. Vitamin D prevents pre-term labors and birth defects. This vitamin is also crucial for the absorption of calcium and phosphorous. Deficiency of Vitamin D may lead to birth complications, increased risk of cancers, autoimmune diseases and heart related disorders.

2. Vitamin A:

Vitamin A helps in repairing the tissue damage caused due to labor. It helps in supporting immune system, fights infections and also aid in metabolism. However, high doses of vitamin A during pregnancy can lead to birth defects and liver toxicity.

3. Vitamin C:

Vitamin C is a major immunity booster during pregnancy. Filled with antioxidants, taking the recommended doses of Vitamin C can aid in healthy pregnancy. It helps in tissue repair and promotes good bone and skin health.

4. Omega 3:

Omega 3 is important for a good cognitive and visual development in the baby. They also help in reducing the number of infections during pregnancy. Omega 3 fatty acids help in supporting the central nervous system and aid in healthy nervous development of the fetus.

5. Zinc:

Zinc is responsible for the construction of DNA in the baby. It is extremely crucial for the development and growth of tissue cells for a healthy baby. Zinc is also important for a good immune system and metabolism.

Vitamin Foods List For Pregnancy:

A well-balanced diet is the top priority for any expectant mother. Her average diet must comprise of:

• Calcium: Dairy – Milk, Yoghurt, Cheese For Calcium
• Vitamin B9: Legumes – Beans, Peas, Soya, Peanuts
• Vitamin A: Carrots, Sweet Potatoes
• Omega 3: Salmon
• Vitamin C: Citrus Fruits, Leafy Vegetables, Berries
• Protein: Lentils, Lean meat
• Zinc: Nuts, Dry Fruits, Eggs
• Vitamin D: Liver, Fish , Yolks

Vitamins to avoid during pregnancy:

Vitamins although play a crucial role during pregnancy, might lead to birth complications when not taken in recommended doses. It is extremely important to consult your doctor to understand what vitamins you need and what you SHOULD NOT take:

1. Vitamin A:

Over dosage of Vitamin A can lead to toxicity of liver and cause death. It is extremely important to take only the permissible dosages of 770mcg per day.

2. Vitamin D:

The most toxic vitamins of all, Vitamin D over dosage can adversely affect the health of the mother and birth defects in the baby

Other Vitamins like B6 and E can lead to side effects when taken in extra dosages, but do not have any major threatening factors.

Pregnancy Vitamin Supplement Products:

Mentioned below are some of the best pregnancy vitamin supplements in the market that expecting mothers can rely on.

1. Nature Made Prenatal Multi + Dha, 200 mg, 150 Soft Gels:

This product blends all the nutrients of a prenatal multivitamin and 200 mg of omega-3 fatty acid DHAinto one soft gel.It is ideal for expectant mothers who are looking for prenatal supplements. It includes the essential omega-3 fatty acid DHA and requires you to have only 1 dose per day. This formula contains key vitamins, minerals and DHA for the health of the mother and the baby’s development. It has the best vitamins for pregnancy.

2. One-A-Day Women’s Prenatal, with DHA:

One A Day Women’s Prenatal is replete with Omega-3 DHA and essential nutrients like folic acid and iron and is one of the most complete multivitamins available in the market. The DHA is to help support healthy fetal brain and eye development. Folic Acid reduces the risk of the baby having brain or spinal cord birth defect. Iron helps carry oxygen to the fetus in pregnant women. This vitamin supplement provides nutrition at three stages- while trying to conceive, during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. It provides the necessary vitamins during pregnancy.

3. Home Check Prenatal Vitamins for Women Supplement:

This product has 21 key ingredients and at 100% of the recommended daily allowance of 13 vitamins and minerals needed for daily nutrition. Home check Women’s Daily One is a complete product for all the women expecting a baby. The formula contains essential nutrients crucial to women’s health, such as calcium, folic acid and iron. The antioxidant vitamins like A, C and E provide protection against free radicals. For the normal functioning of the brain and plenty formation of RBC, there is plenty of B Group vitamins. As mentioned before, it is a complete multivitamin!

4. Garden of Life Vitamin Code, Raw Prenatal:

This vitamin supplement has many health benefits. It has ingredients that help in supporting the immune system of the mother and the unborn child. This vitamin can improve your digestive system and gives healthy digestion and the ginger, probiotics, zinc and vitamin D help to elimination of impurities. The iron, vitamin C, E and B complex in addition with folate supports heart and blood health. The product contains 800 mcg of folate. For a healthy neural tube, 400 mcg has been recommended by CDC till the first trimester of pregnancy at least. Vitamin A and C, copper and iron in it supports skin health.

5. Nature’s Bounty Folic Acid (400 mcg), Unflavored 250 Tablet(s):

The Nature’s Bounty Folic Acid vitamin supplements contain necessary vitamins and minerals for various health benefits. It maintains cardiovascular health. Pregnancy can make you feel weak and inactive. Daily dosage of the product can keep you energized and active throughout the day.

6. 21st Century Prenatal with DHA, Tablets and Soft Gels, 120-Count:

The product has no added sugar, salt, yeast or preservatives. The unique thing about this product is its pure, fresh and potent nature, which is guaranteed by the company. It supports fetal brain, eye and spinal cord development. It has expert recommended DHA for pregnancy and nursing. It contains the essential vitamins during pregnancy.

See More: Dragon Fruit During Pregnancy

7. Amway Nutrilite Triiron Folic 90 Tablets:

This product by Amway supplies the body with all the required iron from three different sources- ferrous bisglycinate, ferrous fumarate and mustard greens.These are iron sources that are more readily used and tolerated by the body. It helps you keep yourself and your baby healthy. The product includes the needed vitamins for pregnancy.

8. Fair Haven Pregnancy Plus Prenatal Multivitamin Supplements:

It was designed for trying-to-conceive, pregnant and nursing women. This prenatal vitamin supplies vitamins and minerals most essential to ensure pregnancy wellness, like iron, vitamin C and folic acid. It is important in preventing neural tube birth defects. It also contains antioxidants to support to cleanse the body and promoting optimal reproductive health.

See More: Water Intake During Pregnancy

9. One-A-Day Women’s Prenatal Tablets plus Liquid Gels – 60 ea:

One A Day Women’s Prenatal DHA (Tablets and Liquid Gels) is your sure shot way of staying healthy, both before and after you are pregnant. The vitamin supplement helps support healthy fetal brain and eye development during pregnancy. It also maintains the overall health of the mother and baby and provides necessary vitamins for pregnancy.

Those were some of the best pregnancy vitamin supplements. Essential vitamins have various important functions for the health and development of the mother and the baby respectively.

• Vitamin A helps in growth of bones and teeth.
• Vitamin D helps the body to use calcium and phosphorus and promotes strong teeth and bones.
• Vitamin E helps the body to form and use red blood cells and muscles.
• Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects tissues from damage and helps body absorb iron and also builds healthy immune system.
• Vitamin B1 raises energy level and regulates the nervous system, while vitamin B2 maintains energy, good eyesight and healthy skin.

Pick your expert’s recommended set of vitamin supplements and give yourself and your baby the best.

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