Just like medications, all micronutrient and herbal supplements should be approved and supervised by your doctor to ensure that they are necessary and taken in safe amounts. Below are some of the vitamins and minerals that are taken by pregnant women:

Prenatal Vitamins

Prenatal vitamins are multivitamins that are specially formulated to meet the increased demand for micronutrients during pregnancy. They are intended to be taken before conception, during pregnancy and lactation. Observational studies have shown that supplementing with prenatal vitamins reduces the risk of preterm birth and preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a potentially dangerous complication characterized by high blood pressure and possibly mixture of protein in the urine.

While prenatal vitamins are not meant to replace a healthy diet, they may help prevent nutritional gaps by providing extra micronutrients that are in high demand during pregnancy. Since prenatal vitamins contain the vitamins and minerals that pregnant women need, taking additional vitamin or mineral supplements may not be necessary unless prescribed by your doctor.

Prenatal vitamins are often prescribed by doctors and also available over-the-counter.

Folate

Folate is a B vitamin that plays an integral role in DNA synthesis, red blood cell production and fetal growth and development. Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate found in many supplements.

It is recommended that pregnant women should take 600 ug of folate or folic acid per day. It helps reduce the risk of neural tube defects and congenital abnormalities like cleft palate and heart defects.

Although adequate folate can be obtained through diet, many women don’t eat enough folate-rich foods, making supplementation necessary. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that all women of childbearing age should consume at least 400 mcg of folate or folic acid per day. This is because many pregnancies are unplanned, and birth defects from a folate deficiency can occur very early in pregnancy, even before most women know they are pregnant.

Iron

The need for iron increases significantly during pregnancy, as maternal blood volume rises by nearly 50%. Iron is critical for oxygen transport as well as healthy growth and development of the fetus and placenta.

Anemia during pregnancy has been associated with preterm delivery, maternal depression and infant anemia. The recommended intake of 27 mg iron per day can be met through most prenatal vitamins. However, pregnant women with iron deficiency or anemia need higher doses of iron, managed by their doctor. Pregnant women that are not iron deficient should not take more than the recommended intake to avoid adverse side effects. These may include constipation, vomiting and abnormally high hemoglobin levels.

Vitamin D

This fat-soluble vitamin is important for immune function, bone health and cell division. Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy has been linked to an increased risk of caesarean section, preeclampsia, preterm birth and gestational diabetes. The current recommended intake of vitamin D during pregnancy is 600 IU per day. However, some experts suggest that the vitamin D needs during pregnancy increases.

All pregnant women should talk with their doctor regarding screening for vitamin D deficiency and proper supplementation.

Magnesium

Magnesium is a mineral involved in hundreds of chemical reactions in your body. It plays essential roles in immunity, muscle and nerve function. Deficiency in this mineral during pregnancy may increase the risk of chronic hypertension and premature labor. Some studies suggest that supplementing with magnesium may reduce the risk of complications like fetal growth restriction and preterm birth.

Fish Oil

Fish oil contains two essential fatty acids — DHA and EPA. These are important for fetal brain development. A study showed that supplementing with fish oil may prevent preterm delivery while some evidence suggests that it may be beneficial for fetal eye development. To get DHA and EPA through diet, pregnant women are encouraged to consume two to three servings of low-mercury fish like salmon, sardines or pollock in a week.