Do I Need To Take Supplements
It’s recommended that all pregnant women in Australia take folic acid, iodine and vitamin D supplements.
Having a healthy diet is important and should provide you with the other nutrients you need. Check the Australian Dietary Guidelines for more advice. However, some pregnant women may need supplements of other nutrients besides folic acid, iodine and vitamin D.
If you have a known deficiency, your doctor might advise you to take a supplement. For example:
- if you are vegetarian or vegan and not getting enough vitamin B12
- if you don’t get enough calcium, which is vital for bone health, from dairy or other calcium-rich foods
- if you are low in iron
- if you may be low in omega-3 fatty acids, e.g. if you eat very little seafood
If you’re not sure whether you need a supplement, talk to your doctor.
Should I Take Multivitamins During Pregnancy
Its the winner of pregnancy product of the year for Boots, so it has to be something thats great for pregnant women, right? Pregnacare Max, according to the Boots website, is the ultimate formula for mums-to-be. It includes not only folic acid and vitamin D at amounts recommended by the Department of Health, but also zinc, magnesium, niacin, vitamins B6, B12 and C, iron and a host of other vitamins and minerals. All for £19.99 for a 42-day supply. So is that the price a mother has to pay for the health of her and her newborn?
Well, according to a review of vitamin supplements in pregnancy in the latest Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin, the true price may be less. The article said: For most women who are planning to become pregnant or who are pregnant, complex multivitamin and mineral preparations promoted for use during pregnancy are unlikely to be needed and are an unnecessary expense.
Women would be better off, said the bulletin, sticking to vitamin D and folic acid and spending their money on a healthy diet. Buying both tablets separately is usually cheaper than multivitamin preparations Boots sells vitamin D at £1.09 for 90 tablets. But surely the more vitamins your developing baby gets, the better?
Here Are 10 Reasons To Take Calcium Supplements During Pregnancy
1.Pregnant women need a ton of calcium.2. Prenatal vitamins arent enough.3. You need strong bones, during pregnancy more than ever.4. You Can Get Calcium From Food, Sort Of.Learn more about osteoporosis when you check out: National Osteoporosis Month: Resources for Health and Prevention5. When Youre Dairy-Free, Getting Calcium is Even More Important, and Difficult.More on that here: 15 Surprising Dairy-Free Sources of Calcium6. Calcium is good for your teeth.7.Your heart needs calcium.8. Calcium helps regulate blood pressure.9. You wont need to rely on food for calcium.If youre having trouble tolerating dairy, read this: How To Get Enough Calcium on a Dairy Free or Plant-Based Diet10. You can take calcium supplements anywhere, anytime.If youre not familiar with powdered supplements, you can read up on them here: Supplement Trends: Pills Are So Yesterdaytake advantage of our special limited time offerMore sources on whether its safe to take calcium supplements during pregnancy:Calcium in Your Pregnancy Diet10 Wonderful Benefits of Calcium
Don’t Miss: Can You Take A Tums While Pregnant
Already Trying To Get Pregnant Start Supplementing Now
If youre planning on trying to conceive soon, take a prenatal with folate 3-6 months prior to attempting to conceive. I emphasize with folate because it is incredibly important to take one with folate, not folic acid .
While supplementing with a prenatal vitamin with folate prior to and during pregnancy is critical, your focus should always be on getting the nutrients you need from food first.
Where To Get Pregnancy Supplements
You can get supplements from pharmacies and supermarkets, or a GP may be able to prescribe them for you.
If you want to get your folic acid from a multivitamin tablet, make sure the tablet does not contain vitamin A .
You may be able to get free vitamins if you qualify for the Healthy Start scheme.
Find out more about the Healthy Start scheme.
You May Like: Donating Plasma While Pregnant
Which Vitamins Should I Take During Pregnancy
16 August, 2018
The vitamin supplements that you consume during pregnancy are also known as prenatal vitamins. They come in different forms and should be taken daily, starting on the day you find out youre expecting. However, its natural for you to ask yourself, Which vitamins should I take during pregnancy?
In this article, youll learn which vitamins and minerals pregnant women should take and what theyre used for. So keep reading!
What Dose Of Folic Acid Do I Need During Pregnancy
The recommended dose of folic acid for non-pregnant adults and children over 11 years old is 200 mcg . You can get this from eating a healthy, varied diet.
Pregnant women, however, should take an additional 400 mcg of folic acid, which is where the supplements come in. Eating foods that are rich in folic acid is encouraged as well .
Recommended Reading: Can I Take A Tums While Pregnant
Do Prenatal Vitamins Have Side Effects
A lot of people wonder about about prenatal vitamins side effects. Some people get nauseated or constipated from taking prenatal vitamins. If this happens to you, talk with your doctor about changing brands or the types of vitamins youre taking.
Prenatal vitamins come in tablets or capsules, so finding the kind that works best with your body can help ease side effects. Your doctor or midwife can help you find a prenatal vitamin that will work best for your body.
Which Cod Liver Oil Brand Is Best
There are several good brands on the market:
- If you want to try a fermented cod liver oil, which may be easier to digest, you can try this brand. . Keep in mind that there was some controversy about whether this oil turns rancid since polyunsaturated fats are very unstable. People have had wonderful results on it and it muscle tests strong . I took it with Paloma and she is strong, sturdy and has a good, wide palate.
- There is also a newer raw, extra virgin cod liver oil . The taste is milder than the fermented and Ive used before. One trusted practitioner said it isnt as potent as the fermented and doesnt muscle test.
- If youre looking for a capsule form, I love Standard Processs cod liver oil . This is what we currently take. This product tests strong and is very high quality.
- If youre looking for a more cost effective approach , you can use Carlsons Super Cod Liver Oil . This is the one I used when pregnant with Griffin and he has a wide palate but is on the slender side And the best price by far is Swansons Double Strength Cod Liver Oil . Both of these brands are capsules and considered a good choice per the Weston A. Price Foundation.
Most other cod liver oils on the market, use heat to remove contaminants and naturally occurring vitamins. They then synthetically add them back in. High doses of synthetic vitamin A have been linked to birth defects so best to avoid.
Read Also: Can I Get Lasik While Pregnant
When Do You Need Extra Vitamin B9
- Those pregnant with twins, your doctor could have your take 1,000 mg daily
- Overweight women may need more than 400mg a day, ask your doctor before you become pregnant and before you take extra
- Those taking anti-seizure or diabetes meds may be told to take more daily
- If your developing baby has already developed an NTD, your doctor may have you take 4,000 mg daily
- If you have Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, a genetic mutation that makes it harder to produce folic acid in your body
It is important you understand all the prenatal vitamin limits when choosing your prenatal vitamins.
Do You Need A B12 Supplement
Your doctor may ask you to supplement B12 with folic acid if you are vitamin B12 deficient before pregnancy. Both of these supplements together will help prevent birth defects in developing babies as well as helps combat defects that affect the spine and central nervous system. Prenatal vitamins should help with most deficiencies, ask your doctor if you have any questions.It is important to note that while the Institute of Medicine does not set an upper limit because of B12s low potential for toxicity, you should still speak with your doctor before adding in an additional B12 supplement if you are not deficient.
Read Also: Can I Donate Plasma While Pregnant
Prenatal Vitamins Before Pregnancy
It is perfectly safe to take prenatal vitamins before pregnancy. It’s important for women who are trying to conceive to build up their stores of folic acid, iron, calcium, and other vital minerals and vitamins to prepare their bodies when they need to support a growing baby.
Some women take prenatal vitamins with the intention of growing stronger nails and thicker hair. These claims are unproven. In fact, it may not be safe for just any woman to take prenatal vitamins since they are specially formulated for supporting healthy pregnancies and may contain too much of the vitamins and minerals that the average woman may not need.
Can I Overdose On Folic Acid
Most women shouldnt take more than 1mg of folic acid a day. Some women who are at a higher risk of having babies with neural tube defects might benefit from up to 5mg a day .
Family history of or previous pregnancies with neural tube defects, diabetes, and taking anti-epileptic medication when you’re pregnant raise your risk of having babies with neural tube defects. If you are at higher risk, talk to your GP or midwife as they can prescribe a higher dose and/or recommend additional screening tests .
Recommended Reading: Can Take Tums While Pregnant
Prenatal Vitamins For Pregnancy
Eating healthy during pregnancy is one of the best things you can do for your baby, but how can you ensure that you’re getting all of the important vitamins and minerals you need? By taking a prenatal vitamin, you can be sure that you are getting all of the nutrients you need for a healthy pregnancy.
Supplements For Pregnancy: The Most Important Ones To Take
- Pin
Posted:
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
While most people are familiar with the idea of taking a prenatal vitamin, knowing what supplements to take during pregnancy and which pregnancy supplements are best can be incredibly overwhelming.
With the rise in direct-to-consumer supplement companies and brands advertising through social media, its easy to get caught up in the marketing hype of supplements for pregnancy. While your health practitioner may have specific recommendations for you personally, more often than not women are told to just pick one when it comes to supplementing during pregnancy without any real guidelines on how to choose.
As a side note, I always recommend discussing any supplements you plan to take with your trusted provider. The recommendations I make below are general advice and may not be specific to your medical conditions or individual needs.
There are two things to keep in mind when it comes to selecting the best pregnancy supplements: 1). Ingredient quality, or what is actually included in the supplement, and 2.) Understanding your individual needs. Dont worry, well decode both below.
You May Like: Why Can’t You Donate Plasma While Pregnant
Which Are The Best Vitamin D Foods And Sources
Our bodies make vitamin D when our skin is exposed to sunlight between March and September . If you have dark skin or always cover your skin when outside, talk to your midwife or doctor as you may not get enough.
You can find vitamin D in foods like oily fish , eggs and red meat. For more on how much and which fish it’s safe to eat during pregnancy, see here. As vitamin D is only present in a few foods, supplements can be useful .
When Is It Necessary To Take Prenatal Vitamins
If youre planning to conceive, ingesting iodine and folic acid before pregnancy will guarantee that you have the correct balance of these nutrients. Also, if you have health disorders like anemia or youre malnourished, youll need an extra dose of vitamins and minerals.
If youre already pregnant, its especially important for you to take a daily multivitamin. Of course, this should always be done with your doctors permission.
Read Also: Lasik Eye Surgery While Pregnant
Vitamin D In Pregnancy
You need 10 micrograms of vitamin D each day and should consider taking a supplement containing this amount between September and March.
Vitamin D regulates the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, which are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. Our bodies make vitamin D when our skin is exposed to summer sunlight .
It’s not known exactly how much time is needed in the sun to make enough vitamin D to meet the body’s needs, but if you’re in the sun take care to cover up or protect your skin with sunscreen before you start to turn red or burn.
Vitamin D is also in some foods, including:
- oily fish
- eggs
- red meat
Vitamin D is added to some breakfast cereals, fat spreads and non-dairy milk alternatives. The amounts added to these products can vary and might only be small.
Because vitamin D is only found in a small number of foods, whether naturally or added, it is difficult to get enough from foods alone.
Do not take more than 100 micrograms of vitamin D a day as it could be harmful.
You can get vitamin supplements containing vitamin D free of charge if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding and qualify for the Healthy Start scheme.
Do I Need To Take Pregnancy Multivitamins
Breadcrumb
Pregnancy multivitamins typically cost about £15 a month, and some contain around 20 vitamins and minerals. It is fine to take a multivitamin if you want to, but research has shown that it is not necessary. The key thing is taking the specific supplements you need and eating a healthy, balanced diet.
If you do take a multivitamin, make sure that it does not contain vitamin A, as too much can harm your baby.
You May Like: Kt Tape For Pregnant Belly Back Pain
Should Women Take Supplements While Pregnant
It seems there’s an endless amount of online information related to what supplements a woman should take when pregnant. As a result, searching for reliable information related to supplements during pregnancy can be difficult at best.
Here’s a Q& A with some advice on which supplements you can use and those you should avoid during your pregnancy:
Are dietary supplements OK during pregnancy?
It’s recommended that women should not use dietary and herbal supplements during pregnancy. In addition, dietary and herbal supplements should be used with caution in women of reproductive age due to the risk of taking these supplements before knowledge of pregnancy.
Unlike prescription drugs, dietary supplements are not reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for safety and effectiveness. As a result, they may contain contaminants, like metals, pesticides, chemicals or bacteria, which may pose risks for pregnancy. Also, most supplements are not thoroughly studied, which can lead to issues related to quality standards for ingredients and strength. For example, vinpocetine an ingredient found in a number of dietary supplements, including those marketed for weight loss, enhanced memory, focus, mental acuity or increased energy is not safe during pregnancy. Other commonly used supplements that may cause harm during pregnancy include melatonin and St. John’s wort.
What about meal replacement shakes?
What supplements are OK to take?
What about vitamins during pregnancy?
What Are Prenatal Vitamins And Why Are They So Beneficial
In an ideal world, a pregnant mother would get all of her nutrients from food. But as Sakara cofounder Danielle DuBoise, who developed the wellness brands new The Foundation: Prenatal while pregnant, underlines, thats not realistic. No one eats perfectly 100% of the time, says DuBoise, citing research that the average American is lacking essential nutrients in their daily diet. So for most people, supplementation is critical.
According to Manhattan-based nutritionist , prenatal supplements can fill in any nutrient gaps caused by our modern, hectic lifestyles, or particular tastes, which result in consuming less than an adequate amount of the nutrients we need on a daily basis. Think of it as an insurance policy that youre getting enough of the nutrients you need to support a healthy pregnancy, for baby and mom alike, she says. Similarly, Shepherd encourages her expectant patients to consider taking a prenatal vitamin as building up a reserve. Because the baby gets all the nutrients it needs directly from mama, its easy to become deficient in vitamins she explains. A well-rounded balance of vitamins and nutrients during pregnancy will help mom provide the nutrients needed, as well as help the baby do things, such as form vital organs and body systems.
Read Also: What Cause Pregnancy
Make Sure You Have Folate
According to Lathon, folate, which is a B vitamin, is another highly essential supplement required during pregnancy to prevent birth abnormalities.
However, most, if not all, prenatal vitamins include folate or folic acid. Just double-check the list of ingredients in your preferred prenatal and talk with your doctor about how many mg you should be getting, which is usually around 400 to 500 milligrams in your capsule.
Supplements During Pregnancy: Why Quality Matters
Most supplements and prenatal vitamins available at drug stores contain synthetic nutrients that are isolated, low quality, and poorly absorbed in the body.
Nutrients need co-factors like other vitamins and minerals, enzymes, and phytonutrients to be properly absorbed, and most conventional brands dont take this into consideration. As a result, food-based supplements tend to be more effective because the nutrients are naturally-occurring.
This doesnt mean all food-based supplements are good, or that synthetic vitamins are bad. In fact, some synthetic prenatal vitamins contain highly absorbable forms of nutrients with important co-factors specifically formulated for certain conditions, such as an MTHFR gene mutation. However, with synthetic vitamins, source, processing, and having the proper balance of nutrients is key.
With pregnancy supplements, its also important to evaluate how the nutrients are processed , and the additives. Avoid products that contain additives like sugar, artificial dyes, unnecessary preservatives, and allergens like wheat, corn, or soy.
With that in mind, here are the five most important supplements for pregnancy that will ensure you and your baby are getting all the nutrients you need.
Also Check: Lasik Eye Surgery And Pregnancy
