Prenatal Vitamins are Pregnancy Multivitamins or Pregnancy Supplements that supplement a pregnant lady’s diet with essential micronutrients that are essential for the healthy growth and development of the baby, as well as the health of the mother. These vitamins can be consumed while you’re planning for pregnancy or started as soon as you find out you are pregnant. A lot of doctors recommend you take them before you get pregnant, or “pre-conception” as the neural tube of the baby forms during the first few weeks of pregnancy, even before a couple might realize they’re pregnant. The neural tube forms the brain and spinal cord of the baby and requires folic acid in adequate quantities for its development. Hence, if you’re planning for a pregnancy, it would be a good idea to talk to your gynecologist about the benefits of having prenatal vitamins.
Prenatal Essentials
There are some prenatal essentials that need to be there in your prenatal vitamins. If your pregnancy vitamin supplement does not have it, you might need to change your pregnancy vitamin tablet. Some of these prenatal essentials are –
1. Iron, Folic Acid and Calcium – These are the most important nutrients to consume during pregnancy as per the IFC Model. Iron helps prevent maternal anaemia and improves blood supply. Folic Acid is essential to prevent neural tube defects and ensure the proper development of the baby’s brain and spinal cord. Calcium improves the maternal bone health and the development of baby’s bones and teeth. Calcium is also important for nerve cell function, muscle contraction and regulation of hormones.
2. Vitamins – Some Vitamins such as Vitamin D, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, Vitamin K etc. are essential during pregnancy. Vitamin D has a role to play in the development of healthy bones and prevention of gestational diabetes, Vitamin C improves immunity and wound healing, Vitamin B6 has anti-emetic properties, Vitamin B12 improves maternal mood, and Vitamin K supports in labor.
3. Magnesium – Leg cramps and hypertension (high blood pressure) during pregnancy is common during pregnancy, and magnesium can prevent them. Magnesium can also reduce the risk of baby
4. Iodine – Iodine helps with the production and functioning of thyroid hormones.
5. Omega 3s – Essential for Brain and Eye Development, Omega 3s may be scarce in some diets hence prenatal supplements should also provide Omega 3s with dha to the pregnant mothers.
These nutrients are very important during pregnancy, and hence should be there in your prenatal pills. Prenatal vitamin with dha is also important as it provides with the necessary omega3s required by the person. Prenatal nutrition is an important component of pregnancy must haves, so make sure that you start consuming prenatal vitamin before pregnancy or start them when you find out you are pregnant. Baby’s neural tube forms in the first few weeks, and with rapid growth of the baby dynamic nutrition is required. Good nutrition is essential for a healthy pregnant lady and her baby, so make sure that you are prioritizing the foods, supplements, and lifestyle during pregnancy to improve the pregnancy outcomes.
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