Every woman wants to enjoy the healthiest pregnancy possible. Here’s what you can do to maximise both mom and baby’s wellbeing through the help of supplements.
Pregnancy is such a joyous time, but there’s no denying that it takes a tremendous toll on your body. This is why it’s so important for your health, and that of your baby, to ensure that you’re getting the right nutrition. While eating a healthy diet plays a big role in this, it isn’t always enough. According to registered dietitian, Amanda Weber, pregnant women who supplement with a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement reduce their risk of birth defects by 30-35%, and low birth weight by up to 50%.
Let’s take a look at the most important supplements to include in order to enjoy the healthiest pregnancy possible:
Multi-vitamin
It’s recommended that all pregnant women take a multi-vitamin, but there are certain instances when it’s a necessity. “It’s absolutely essential that women carrying multiples take a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement every day, especially if the mother is suffering from morning sickness,” says Amanda.
Amanda also encourages women who struggled with nutritional or health-related problems at the time of falling pregnant, such as an eating disorder, anaemia, lactose intolerance and Crohn’s Disease, to take a multi-vitamin.
Remember, no matter how ‘normal’ your pregnancy may be, each trimester comes with different nutritional needs. “I recommend a daily cocktail including a quality multi-vitamin and mineral tablet, an Omega 3 fish oil capsule and a calcium tablet, which also includes Vitamin D3 and magnesium, to prevent cramping,” adds Amanda.
Folic acid
If you’re planning to fall pregnant in the near future, it would be ideal to start taking 400 micrograms of folic acid for at least two months before conception. However, the longer you take it prior to conception, the better. According to WebMD, a recent study showed that women who took folic acid for a year before getting pregnant showed a 50% decrease in premature births. Folic acid is also said to reduce the risk of birth defects such as spina bifida.
Calcium
It’s a good idea to take a calcium supplement while pregnant, especially if there’s a history of osteoporosis in your family, or if you don’t tend to eat a lot of dairy-rich foods.
Iron
It’s quite common for moms-to-be to become anaemic during pregnancy. In fact, the American Pregnancy Association claims that up to 25% of all expectant moms will be diagnosed with the condition. Luckily, it’s usually easy to manage with the help of an iron supplement, which your doctor will prescribe.
Vitamin C
There’s nothing worse than coming down with a case of the sniffles when you also have a bun in the oven, because there’s very little that you can take to help relieve the symptoms. That’s why you might want to consider taking some extra Vitamin C during this time. “An extra 1000 to 2000 mg of Vitamin C each day can help to keep sickness at bay, and it’s also said to help maintain skin elasticity, which is great news for moms who want to minimise stretch marks,” says Amanda.
Supplements to avoid
As essential as certain supplements are prior to conception, as well as during and after pregnancy when breastfeeding, there are also specific supplements that you should avoid. These include deworming medications, creatine or body building supplements, caffeine-laden green tea capsules, and Vitamin A supplements, all of which can have a negative effect on your little one.
It’s always worthwhile to consult your doctor or obstetrician before taking any supplements as they’ll be able to advise you on the best options regarding your individual pregnancy and medical history. Here’s to a happy, healthy nine months and beyond!
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/anemia-in-pregnancy#1
http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-concerns/anemia-during-pregnancy/
https://www.webmd.com/baby/folic-acid-and-pregnancy#2 https://www.webmd.com/baby/considering-pregnancy-see-your-doctor-first
