Prenatal vitamins: The building blocks of healthy pregnancy

Prenatal vitamins are a crucial aspect of a healthy pregnancy, providing essential nutrients and minerals that support the health of both mother and developing fetus.

These vitamins are specially designed to cater to the increased nutritional demands of pregnancy. In this article, we discuss the essential prenatal vitamins every pregnant woman should take.

So if you're looking for guidance on the best prenatal vitamins for a healthy pregnancy, keep reading.

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Prenatal vitamins for pregnancy

Prenatal vitamins (Image via Pexels)

Here are five of them:

1) Folic acid

Folic acid is one of the most important prenatal vitamins for pregnant women. It's a type of B-vitamin that helps prevent birth defects in the baby's brain and spine.

The recommended daily dose of folic acid for pregnant women is 600-800 mcg. Women who're planning to become pregnant should start taking folic acid at least one month before conception to reduce risk of birth defects.

2) Iron

Iron is an essential prenatal vitamin that helps support growth and development of the fetus.

Iron is needed to make hemoglobin, which is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the tissues. During pregnancy, a woman's blood volume increases significantly, and she needs more iron to support this extra blood.

The recommended daily dose of iron for pregnant women is 27 mg. Iron can be found in foods like red meat, poultry, fish, beans and fortified cereals. However, many women need to take an iron supplement during pregnancy to meet their daily requirements.

3) Calcium

Calcium is essential for the development of strong bones and teeth in the baby. It's also important for the mother's health, as the growing fetus takes calcium from the mother's bones if she does not get enough from her diet.

The recommended daily dose of calcium for pregnant women is 1000-1300 mg. Calcium can be found in dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt, as well as in fortified juices and cereals. Women who do not consume enough calcium in their diet may need to take a calcium supplement.

4) Vitamin D

Vitamin D is important for the absorption of calcium and development of healthy bones and teeth in the baby. It's also important for the mother's health, as low levels of vitamin D have been associated with gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia and other pregnancy complications.

The recommended daily dose of vitamin D for pregnant women is 600-800 IU. Vitamin D can be found in fatty fish, egg yolks and fortified dairy products. However, many women need to take a vitamin D supplement during pregnancy to meet their daily requirements.

5) Omega-3 fatty acid

Omega-3 fatty acids are important for development of baby's brain and eyes. They also help reduce inflammation in the mother's body, which can help prevent pregnancy complications like preterm birth and preeclampsia.

The recommended daily dose of omega-3 fatty acids for pregnant women is 200-300 mg. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fatty fish like salmon, sardines and mackerel, as well as in flaxseeds, chia seeds and walnuts. However, many women need to take an omega-3 fatty acid supplement during pregnancy to meet their daily requirements.

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Prenatal vitamins are essential for the health of both mother and developing fetus during pregnancy.

The five essential prenatal vitamins should be taken by every pregnant woman. It's important for women to talk to their healthcare provider about their individual nutritional needs during pregnancy and to take prenatal vitamins as recommended. By doing so, women can help ensure a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby.