Should pregnant mother take vitamin supplements?

Healthy eating is always a smart idea, especially for pregnant women. To compensate for nutritional deficiencies in the diet, pregnant mothers can take vitamin supplements containing many vitamins and minerals, especially folic acid, iron, iodine and calcium. When is the right time to drink and what are some notes you need to take care of?

How much folic acid do pregnant mothers need each day?

Folic acid helps to develop the baby's brain and spinal cord in the womb. In addition, folic acid reduces the risk of birth defects, such as spina bifida and brain defect.

Neural tube defects occur within the first 28 days of fertilization, a time when many women still do not realize they are pregnant. Therefore, experts recommend that women who want to become pregnant should take 400 micrograms of folic acid per day , starting from before the expected date of fertilization until the next 12 weeks.

Research shows that mothers who have had a baby with a neural tube defect should take a high dose of folic acid (4000 mcg) at least 1 month before fertilization and continue through the first trimester. However, you should consult with your doctor before doing anything.

Foods rich in folic acid include green leafy vegetables, seeds, beans, citrus fruits, and in appropriate amounts of folic acid supplements.

Pregnant mothers need to eat iron supplements or take iron supplements

Iron is an indispensable component to create red blood cells to help transport oxygen, good for both pregnant mother and fetus. Iron also helps prevent preterm birth and low birth weight. Consult with your doctor about the amount of iron needed for your own condition during pregnancy.

Calcium is essential for pregnant women and fetuses

Calcium is an important ingredient for pregnant women because it protects the mother's bones as the baby grows. At the same time, the baby also absorbs calcium from the mother's bones and teeth. Pregnant mothers can reduce bone density if there is not enough calcium when the baby grows.

When pregnant mothers need to provide vitamins?

You should start taking vitamin supplements as soon as you start your pregnancy. If mothers get enough folic acid during the first few weeks of pregnancy, many birth defects can be reduced. Also, remember to have enough folic acid for at least 1 month before fertilization.

If you didn't get enough vitamins before pregnancy, don't worry too much. You can do that as soon as you find out that you're pregnant.

You should consult your doctor about which vitamin supplements are best. If you have already taken a supplement, you should bring that vitamin with you so your doctor can check if the amount is right for you.

What should the "perfect" multivitamin for pregnant mothers contain?

You should take a supplement that contains all of the following ingredients:

400 mcg of folic acid;

400 IU vitamin D;

200-300 mg of calcium;

70 mg of vitamin C;

3 mg thiamine;

2 mg riboflavin;

20 mg niacin;

6 mcg of vitamin B12;

10 mg of vitamin E;

15 mg of zinc;

17 mg of iron;

150 mcg of iodine.

In some cases, your doctor will prescribe certain vitamins for you.

If pregnant women take too many vitamins, what risks can happen?

Vitamin supplements contain all the vitamins and minerals that pregnant mothers need. However, overdose of vitamins or minerals can also harm the unborn baby. For example, large amounts of vitamin A can cause birth defects . If you took a special vitamin and mineral supplement before pregnancy, you should not continue taking it without your doctor's approval.

In addition, you should also consult your doctor if you want to take omega-3 supplements . These are fatty acids that can help with brain development of the fetus. If you do not like to eat fish containing high omega-3 such as anchovies, herring, salmon or sardines, pregnant mothers can take omega-3 supplements.

Side effects of vitamins

Vitamins can make you feel nauseous, especially for those pregnant women who have had morning sickness and nausea. To relieve this symptom, the best time to take a vitamin supplement is before bed or with food. You can also ask your doctor to change to another vitamin or use chewable vitamin tablets to calm your stomach.

The iron in the vitamin can cause constipation. To reduce this symptom, you can eat more fruits and vegetables to increase fiber and drink plenty of water to increase fiber waste, helping you digest more easily.

Although vitamin pills carry many unpleasant side effects, try to use them because it contains countless benefits for your baby. For optimum effect, always consult your doctor.

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