Accordion Sample Description during pregnancy, a woman’s macronutrient intake needs to grow significantly. Macronutrients include carbohydrates, proteins and fats. However, the requirement for micronutrients, which include vitamins, minerals and trace elements, increases even more than the need for macronutrients.

Vitamins and minerals support maternal and fetal growth at every stage of pregnancy and are required to support critical functions like cell growth and cell signalling. While some women are able to meet this growing demand through a well-planned, nutrient-dense diet, others are not.

Nutrient deficiencies Some pregnant women may need to take vitamin and mineral supplements for various reasons, including:

Nutrient deficiencies: Some women may need a supplement after a blood test reveals a deficiency in a vitamin or mineral. Correcting deficiencies is critical, as a shortage of nutrients like folate has been linked to birth defects.

Hyperemesis gravidarum: This pregnancy complication is characterized by severe nausea and vomiting. It can lead to weight loss and nutrient deficiencies

Dietary restrictions: Women who follow specific diets, including vegans and those with food intolerances and allergies, may need to supplement with vitamins and minerals to prevent micronutrient deficiencies.

Smoking: Although it is absolutely critical for mothers to avoid cigarettes during pregnancy, those who continue to smoke have an increased need for specific nutrients like vitamin C and folate

Multiple pregnancies: Women carrying more than one baby have higher needs for micronutrients than women carrying one baby. Supplementing is often necessary to ensure optimal nutrition for both the mother and her babies.

Genetic mutations like MTHFR: MTHFR is a gene that converts folate into a form that the body can use. Pregnant women with this gene mutation may need to supplement with a specific form of folate to avoid complications.

Poor diet: Women who under eat or choose foods low in nutrients may need to supplement with vitamins and minerals to avoid deficiencies.

In addition, experts from American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommend that all pregnant women should take a prenatal vitamin and folic acid supplement. This is advised to fill in nutritional gaps and prevent birth defects like spina bifida. Thus, many moms-to-be turn to vitamin and mineral supplements.

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.

Taking a prenatal vitamin supplement can ensure that you are getting these extra amounts. A well-rounded diet should supply all of the other vitamins and minerals you need during pregnancy.

Yes, they still need to take supplement as there are vitamins considered as water-soluble vitamins (B complex and C) that are not stored in the body and must be consumed each day. These vitamins can be easily destroyed or washed out during food storage and preparation. Experts say it is impossible for an expecting mother to cover her iron requirements from diet alone.

In a multivariable analysis, risk for delivery before 33 weeks was reduced fourfold among pregnant women who take vitamins since their first-trimester. Moreover, a research showed that the risk of very low birth weight (VLBW) among babies was decreased by 7x and 6x when prenatal vitamin supplementation started in the first and second trimester, respectively.

The Department of Health recommends that women of child-bearing age may take 400 micrograms of folic acid tablet every day while trying to get pregnant. It can be continued until twelve (12) weeks pregnant. Women who have been affected by a neural-tube defect are advised to take a higher dose of five (5) mg of folic acid daily. There’s no “best” time to take your dietary food supplement. Many people take it in the morning, especially if they have other morning medications to take. You definitely should take your multivitamin with food, as some larger food supplements can cause stomach upset if taken on an empty stomach.

Many experts assert that simply eating a well-balanced diet may not be enough to ensure breastfeeding mothers to get enough nutrients needed in the maintenance of optimal health. Most doctors suggest that breastfeeding women should take multivitamins to help supplement their diets.

OBNATE IQ Plus is a prenatal and postnatal food supplement, which you may start taking one capsule a day. It can be given as early as the start of pregnancy. For more details about OBNate IQ Plus, you may consult or check with your OB-Gyn.

It contains a complete pact of vitamins, minerals, and Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA, EPA. AA) that ensures a healthy mother and baby. It is also one of the few pre/postnatal supplements in the market that contains Taurine, DHA, EPA, and AA, which make it cost-effective compared to other leading brands.