Vitamins and minerals are substances that are necessary for the normal functioning of the body. Every person who cares about their health, especially women who are expecting a baby, should receive them. Another question is in what form and what vitamins should be ingested during pregnancy. It would seem that the answer is obvious – there are a lot of multivitamin complexes like ethical nutrients, in pharmacies for every taste and budget. However, not all are so simple.
Nutrient requirements increase during pregnancy and lactation. It is vitamins, minerals and trace elements that contribute to the change in the size and functional activity of the mother’s organs and systems during pregnancy, the normal formation of the placenta and the development of the fetus.
These increased needs are approximately the same in all regulatory documents. But in the required additional amount of vitamins and microelements, the world’s leading organizations give slightly different recommendations. This is natural, because each country may have its own national characteristics and eating habits.
Summing up, the following conclusions can be drawn:
- regardless of the quality of nutrition and physical condition, all women should take folic acid (vitamin B9), which reduces the risk of developing malformations of the central nervous system in the fetus;
- calcium, iodine, iron, vitamin D and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential nutrients for a favourable course and outcome of pregnancy, in different countries, they are included in the list of recommended ones;
- With an unbalanced diet for a woman, taking multivitamin complexes helps to reduce the risk of developing anaemia in pregnant women and the birth of a child with low weight (or premature birth).
To say exactly whether vitamins are needed and which ones, the doctor should. If necessary, he will select a suitable vitamin complex.
What are the best vitamins?
In what elements does the need increase at this stage of the life of the expectant mother?
Vitamins for pregnant women in the first trimester
Folic acid (BC, B9). It should be taken regardless of the quality of the diet. This is the main vitamin of pregnancy. Experts often advise starting to drink folic acid at the stage of pregnancy planning, not only for the expectant mother but also for the father.
Pyridoxine (vitamin B6). It can help relieve the symptoms of toxicosis, reduce nervousness and prevent the occurrence of cramps in the calf muscles. It is necessary for the correct laying of the central nervous system in the fetus.
Retinol (vitamin A). Needed for normal fetal growth. Ensuring the intake of this vitamin in the required amount should be at the end of the first – the beginning of the second trimester when the child begins to grow rapidly.
Iodine. In the first trimester, thyroid hormones are actively consumed, so at this time it is especially necessary to constantly replenish iodine reserves. Thyroid hormones are needed for brain development. Lack of iodine can negatively affect the intelligence, auditory development and growth of the unborn child.
Vitamins for pregnant women in the second trimester
In the second trimester, the doctor may recommend drinking 1-2 courses of vitamins that the woman took in the first trimester of pregnancy, as well as supplementing them with two more.
Vitamin D. Promotes active growth of the fetus and helps prevent the development of intrauterine rickets.
Vitamin E. It is necessary to ensure elasticity and good extensibility of soft tissues. This helps prevent the appearance of stretch marks on the skin and thinning of the walls of the uterus with intensive growth of the fetus. In addition, vitamin E helps to improve the functioning of the placenta. Its deficiency can lead to a fetal lag in development and even to premature birth.
In addition to vitamins in the second trimester of pregnancy, a woman may be recommended to take calcium and iron supplements, since they are intensively spent on the production of blood cells and the development of bone tissue in the fetus.
Vitamins for pregnant women in the third trimester
In the third trimester of pregnancy, the fetus actively accumulates vitamins and microelements, a depot is created for many nutrients, so it is very important that the mother does not experience deficiencies. For example, intrauterine iron stores are enough for a baby for up to 4–5 months of extrauterine life. And the fetal brain in the third trimester intensively accumulates polyunsaturated fatty acids, so omega-3 must be present in the diet of the expectant mother. Folic acid, it would seem, no longer plays such a significant role – after all, organs and systems have already been formed. But it is not uncommon for a genetic disorder in the folate absorption system to occur in the population, and such women need additional folic acid to avoid pregnancy complications.
The fetus in the third trimester also continues to grow and develop, so the expectant mother may need a further intake of vitamins and minerals that will ensure proper growth and metabolism. During this period, a pregnant woman is usually advised to continue drinking vitamin E until the very birth, as well as preparations containing iron and calcium.
Who really needs vitamins?
It is definitely worth taking multivitamins throughout pregnancy for women with multiple pregnancies, because the load on the body in this case increases, and their own resources, as a rule, are not enough. Smokers also have increased consumption of vitamin C and folic acid, it is worth remembering for those who could not give up a bad habit. Women with dietary restrictions are also at risk of nutritional imbalance and the development of poor conditions. Severe toxicosis adversely affects the provision of vitamins and microelements, so timely correction with properly selected vitamins will help and can help a favourable course of pregnancy.
