Essential Supplements During Your Pregnancy

When conceiving a baby, your daily nutritional needs increase. Some people may narrow it down to just increasing weight for two people, when in fact your goal is to eat a balanced diet with essential nutrients. In some instances, getting the right supplements is required to get enough nutrition.

Clueless about the supplements or vitamins you should get? We’ve got you covered - here are some suggested supplements you should take during pregnancy to ensure that you and your baby are healthy!

Folic Acid

This supplement ensures a healthy baby's brain and spinal cord. Recommended intake is 5mg or at least 400 to 800mcg a day. Folate is another form of folic acid, which is the converted active form.

Prenatal Vitamins

They consist of multivitamins to be taken before conception, during pregnancy, and breastfeeding. The nutrients are essential to meet your required nutritional intake and reduce the risks of preterm birth and preeclampsia.

Iron

Maternal blood volume increases during pregnancy, hence you would need iron supplements as iron is important in oxygen transport and healthy baby growth. Lack of iron leads to anemia, which has been linked to preterm delivery, maternal depression, and infant anemia.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased risks of preeclampsia, preterm birth, gestational diabetes, and cesarean section. Recommended intake is 15 mcg per day, however, doctors may suggest a higher intake depending on your health status.

Magnesium

This mineral is required by the body during pregnancy to reduce the risk of chronic hypertension and premature birth. It is important in immune, muscle, and nerve function.

Ginger

You can get ginger in the form of a spice or herbal supplement. Pregnant mums who will benefit the most from ginger supplements are those who have pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting.

Fish Oil

Consuming fish oil can be beneficial in improving a baby's cognitive development as it contains docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Two to three servings of low-mercury fish can provide you with enough DHA and EPA, so do consult with your doctor to know if it is necessary to take supplements.

Probiotics

Probiotics are living microorganisms that can aid in digestive health. It can also reduce the risk of gestational diabetes, postpartum depression, and infant eczema and dermatitis.

Choline

This nutrient is important for a baby’s brain development and helps to prevent abnormalities of the brain and spine. Recommended intake should be suggested to you by your doctor.

Caution

These vitamins / herbal supplements should be avoided, or avoided in high amounts to avoid harming your body and the baby:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin E
• Black cohosh
• Blue cohosh
• Goldenseal
• Dong Quai
• Yohimbe
• Saw palmetto
• Tansy
• Pennyroyal
• Other supplements considered unsafe by your attending doctor

Key Points

Some nutrients like folic acid are difficult to be obtained by diet alone, and that is why supplements are important. Remember that vitamin and mineral supplements cannot replace a healthy diet, and overdoing them can also lead to harming you and your baby. Make sure to talk to your doctor, midwife, or fertility coach to get the right supplements for you.

Talking to a fertility coach can be very advantageous for you to kick-start a healthy pregnancy journey. They can give you individualized advice about your dietary needs and other pregnancy concerns according to your condition. Simply go to Lumirous.com and book a session with our trusted fertility coaches now.