Pregnancy Supplements

Should you take a pregnancy Supplement? The answer is dependent on your overall health and diet, and the recommendation of your obstetrician. Folic acid supplements are almost always prescribed or recommended and often a prenatal vitamin is also. Practically every physician will tell you it is more important to get your vitamins and minerals through food directly, as it is more easily absorbed through the body, but if you are foud to be deficient in an area, a pregnancy supplement will be recommended. Here is an overview of the supplements your body needs during pregnancy.

Iron
Iron is the main component of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen through the body. During pregnancy, a womans blood supply increases to supply nutrition to the growing fetus. Iron deficiency may cause iron-deficiency anemia.

Pregnant women should eat iron-rich foods to prevent iron deficiency. Iron-rich foods include leafy greens such as spinach and broccoli, strawberries, meats, whole grains, prune juice, dried fruit, legumes, and blackstrap molasses.

Calcium
Calcium is essential for maintaining the bone integrity of a pregnant woman and providing the skeletal development of the fetus. The U.S. RDA (recommended daily allowance) for pregnant women is 1200 mg, which is sufficient to meet both the maternal and fetal needs. Women should increase their intake of calcium-rich foods, such as milk products. Women who do not consume dairy products should take a calcium supplement of 600 mg per day.

Folate (folic acid)
Folate is essential for protein synthesis, the formation of new cells, and the production of new blood. It is required for a pregnant womans increasing blood supply and the growth of both maternal and fetal tissues. Sufficient folate also decreases the risk of neural tube defects.

Multivitamins containing folate should not be used to achieve the desired level of supplementation, as potentially harmful quantities of other nutrients (such as vitamin A) could be ingested.

Vitamin D
Vitamin D is necessary for the absorption of calcium and is important for normal bone growth. Women with a low intake of vitamin D-fortified milk and minimal exposure to sunlight should take a daily supplement (10 mcg).

Protein
The estimated requirement for protein during pregnancy is 60 gm, which is about 15 gm more than normal. Protein-containing foods can be excellent sources of vitamins and minerals such as iron, vitamin B6, and zinc. In the United States, protein deficiency is uncommon because most people consume and adequate amount of protein-rich foods.