Recommended vitamins in pregnancy

Nutrition During Pregnancy | ACOG

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Eating well is one of the best things you can do during pregnancy. Good nutrition helps you handle the extra demands on your body as your pregnancy progresses. The goal is to balance getting enough nutrients to support the growth of your fetus and maintaining a healthy weight.
The popular saying is that pregnant women “eat for two,” but now we know that it’s dangerous to eat twice your usual amount of food during pregnancy. Instead of “eating for two,” think of it as eating twice as healthy.
If you are pregnant with one fetus, you need an extra 340 calories per day starting in the second trimester (and a bit more in the third trimester). That's roughly the calorie count of a glass of skim milk and half a sandwich. Women carrying twins should consume about 600 extra calories a day, and women carrying triplets should take in 900 extra calories a day.

Vitamins and minerals play important roles in all of your body functions. Eating healthy foods and taking a prenatal vitamin every day should supply all the vitamins and minerals you need during pregnancy.
Take only one serving of your prenatal supplement each day. Read the bottle to see how many pills make up one daily serving. If your obstetrician–gynecologist (ob-gyn) thinks you need an extra amount of a vitamin or mineral, your ob-gyn may recommend it as a separate supplement.
No, do not take more than the recommended amount of your prenatal vitamin per day. Some multivitamin ingredients, such as vitamin A, can cause birth defects at higher doses.

During pregnancy you need folic acid, iron, calcium, vitamin D, choline, omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and vitamin C. See the below table for recommended amounts.

Key Vitamins and Minerals During Pregnancy

Nutrient (Daily Recommended Amount)	Why You and Your Fetus Need It	Best Sources
Calcium (1,300 milligrams for ages 14 to 18; 1,000 milligrams for ages 19 to 50)	Builds strong bones and teeth	Milk, cheese, yogurt, sardines, dark green leafy vegetables

Iron (27 milligrams)	Helps red blood cells deliver oxygen to your fetus	Lean red meat, poultry, fish, dried beans and peas, iron-fortified cereals, prune juice

Iodine (220 micrograms)	Essential for healthy brain development	Iodized table salt, dairy products, seafood, meat, some breads, eggs

Choline (450 milligrams)	Important for development of your fetus’s brain and spinal cord	Milk, beef liver, eggs, peanuts, soy products

Vitamin A (750 micrograms for ages 14 to 18; 770 micrograms for ages 19 to 50)	Forms healthy skin and eyesight Helps with bone growth	Carrots, green leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes

Vitamin C (80 milligrams for ages 14 to 18; 85 milligrams for ages 19 to 50)	Promotes healthy gums, teeth, and bones	Citrus fruit, broccoli, tomatoes, strawberries

Vitamin D (600 international units)	Builds your fetus’s bones and teeth Helps promote healthy eyesight and skin	Sunlight, fortified milk, fatty fish such as salmon and sardines

Vitamin B6 (1. 9 milligrams)	Helps form red blood cells Helps body use protein, fat, and carbohydrates	Beef, liver, pork, ham, whole-grain cereals, bananas

Vitamin B12 (2.6 micrograms)	Maintains nervous system Helps form red blood cells	Meat, fish, poultry, milk (vegetarians should take a supplement)

Folic acid (600 micrograms)	Helps prevent birth defects of the brain and spine Supports the general growth and development of the fetus and placenta	Fortified cereal, enriched bread and pasta, peanuts, dark green leafy vegetables, orange juice, beans. Also, take a daily prenatal vitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid.

Folic acid, also known as folate, is a B vitamin that is important for pregnant women. Folic acid may help prevent major birth defects of the fetus’s brain and spine called neural tube defects (NTDs).
When you are pregnant you need 600 micrograms of folic acid each day. Because it’s hard to get this much folic acid from food alone, you should take a daily prenatal vitamin with at least 400 micrograms starting at least 1 month before pregnancy and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Women who have had a child with an NTD should take 4 milligrams (mg) of folic acid each day as a separate supplement at least 3 months before pregnancy and for the first 3 months of pregnancy. You and your ob-gyn or other obstetric care provider can discuss whether you need to supplement with more than 400 micrograms daily.
Iron is used by your body to make the extra blood that you and your fetus need during pregnancy. Women who are not pregnant need 18 mg of iron per day. Pregnant women need more, 27 mg per day. This increased amount is found in most prenatal vitamins.
In addition to taking a prenatal vitamin with iron, you should eat iron-rich foods such as beans, lentils, enriched breakfast cereals, beef, turkey, liver, and shrimp. You should also eat foods that help your body absorb iron, including oranges, grapefruit, strawberries, broccoli, and peppers.
Your blood should be tested during pregnancy to check for anemia. If you have anemia, your ob-gyn may recommend extra iron supplements.
Calcium is a mineral that builds your fetus’s bones and teeth. Women who are age 18 or younger need 1,300 mg of calcium per day. Women who are 19 or older need 1,000 mg per day.
Milk and other dairy products, such as cheese and yogurt, are the best sources of calcium. If you have trouble digesting milk products, you can get calcium from other sources, such as broccoli, fortified foods (cereals, breads, and juices), almonds and sesame seeds, sardines or anchovies with the bones, and dark green leafy vegetables. You can also get calcium from calcium supplements.
Vitamin D works with calcium to help the fetus’s bones and teeth develop. Vitamin D is also essential for healthy skin and eyesight. All women, pregnant or not, need 600 international units of vitamin D a day.
Good sources of vitamin D include fortified milk and breakfast cereal, fatty fish (salmon and mackerel), fish liver oils, and egg yolks.
Many people do not get enough vitamin D. If your ob-gyn thinks you may have low levels of vitamin D, a test can be done to check the level in your blood. If it is below normal, you may need to take a vitamin D supplement.
Choline plays a role in your fetus’s brain development. It may also help prevent some common birth defects. Experts recommend that pregnant women get 450 mg of choline each day.
Choline can be found in chicken, beef, eggs, milk, soy products, and peanuts. Although the body produces some choline on its own, it doesn’t make enough to meet all your needs while you are pregnant. It’s important to get choline from your diet because it is not found in most prenatal vitamins.
Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of fat found naturally in many kinds of fish. Omega-3s may be important for brain development before and after birth.
Flaxseed (ground or as oil) is also a good source of omega-3s. Other sources of omega-3s include broccoli, cantaloupe, kidney beans, spinach, cauliflower, and walnuts.
Eat at least two servings of fish or shellfish per week before getting pregnant, while pregnant, and while breastfeeding. A serving of fish is 8 to 12 ounces (oz).
Some types of fish have higher levels of mercury than others. Mercury is a metal that has been linked to birth defects. Do not eat bigeye tuna, king mackerel, marlin, orange roughy, shark, swordfish, or tilefish. Limit white (albacore) tuna to only 6 oz a week. Also check advisories about fish caught in local waters.
B vitamins, including B1, B2, B6, B9, and B12, are key nutrients during pregnancy. These vitamins
Your prenatal vitamin should have the right amount of B vitamins that you need each day. Eating foods high in B vitamins is a good idea too, including liver, pork, chicken, bananas, beans, and whole-grain cereals and breads.
Vitamin C is important for a healthy immune system. It also helps build strong bones and muscles. During pregnancy, you should get at least 85 mg of vitamin C each day if you are older than 19, and 80 mg if you are younger than 19.
You can get the right amount of vitamin C in your daily prenatal vitamin, and also from citrus fruits and juices, strawberries, broccoli, and tomatoes.
Drink throughout the day, not just when you are thirsty. Aim for 8 to 12 cups of water a day during pregnancy.

There are many tools that can help you plan healthy meals. One useful tool is the MyPlate food-planning guide from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The MyPlate website, www.myplate.gov, can help you learn how to make healthy food choices at every meal.
The MyPlate website offers a MyPlate Plan, which shows how much to eat based on how many calories you need each day. The MyPlate Plan is personalized based on your
The MyPlate Plan can help you learn about choosing foods from each food group to get the vitamins and minerals you need during pregnancy. The MyPlate Plan can also help you limit calories from added sugars and saturated fats.
- Grains
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Protein foods
- Dairy foods
Bread, pasta, oatmeal, cereal, and tortillas are all grains. Whole grains are those that haven’t been processed and include the whole grain kernel. Oats, barley, quinoa, brown rice, and bulgur are all whole grains, as are products made with those grains. Look for the words “whole grain” on the product label. When you plan meals, make half of your grain servings whole grains.
You can eat fresh, canned, frozen, or dried fruit. Juice that is 100 percent fruit juice counts in the fruit category, but it is best to eat mostly whole fruit instead of juice. Make half your plate fruit and vegetables during mealtimes.
You can eat raw, canned, frozen, or dried vegetables or drink 100 percent vegetable juice. Use dark leafy greens to make salads. Make half your plate fruit and vegetables during mealtimes.
Meat, poultry, seafood, beans and peas, eggs, processed soy products, nuts, and seeds all contain protein. Eat a variety of protein each day.
Milk and milk products, such as cheese, yogurt, and ice cream, make up the dairy group. Make sure any dairy foods you eat are pasteurized. Choose fat-free or low-fat (1 percent) varieties.
Oils and fats are another part of healthy eating. Although they are not a food group, they do give you important nutrients. During pregnancy, the fats that you eat provide energy and help build the placenta and many fetal organs.
Oils in food come mainly from plant sources, such as olive oil, nut oils, and grapeseed oil. They can also be found in certain foods, such as some fish, avocados, nuts, and olives.
Most of the fats and oils in your diet should come from plant sources. Limit solid fats, such as those from animal sources. Solid fats can also be found in processed foods.

Weight gain depends on your health and your body mass index (BMI) before you were pregnant. If you were underweight before pregnancy, you should gain more weight than a woman who had a normal weight before pregnancy. If you were overweight or obese before pregnancy, you should gain less weight. The amount of weight gain differs by trimester:

During your first 12 weeks of pregnancy—the first trimester—you might gain only 1 to 5 pounds or none at all.
If you were a healthy weight before pregnancy, you should gain a half-pound to 1 pound per week in your second and third trimesters.

See the below table for recommended weight gain during pregnancy.

Weight Gain During Pregnancy

Body Mass Index (BMI) Before Pregnancy	Rate of Weight Gain in the Second and Third Trimesters* (Pounds Per Week)	Recommended Total Weight Gain With a Single Fetus (in Pounds)	Recommended Total Weight Gain With Twins (in Pounds)
Less than 18. 5 (underweight)	1.0 to 1.3	28 to 40	Not known
18.5 to 24.9 (normal weight)	0.8 to 1.0	25 to 35	37 to 54
25. 0 to 29.9 (overweight)	0.5 to 0.7	15 to 25	31 to 50
30.0 and above (obese)	0.4 to 0.6	11 to 20	25 to 42

*Assumes a first-trimester weight gain between 1. 1 and 4.4 pounds

Source: Institute of Medicine and National Research Council. 2009. Weight Gain During Pregnancy: Reexamining the Guidelines. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

During the first trimester with one fetus, usually no extra calories are needed. In the second trimester, you will need an extra 340 calories per day, and in the third trimester, about 450 extra calories a day. To get the extra calories during the day, have healthy snacks on hand, such as nuts, yogurt, and fresh fruit.
Excess weight during pregnancy is associated with several pregnancy and childbirth complications, including
- high blood pressure
- preeclampsia
- preterm birth
- gestational diabetes
Obesity during pregnancy also increases the risk of:
- a larger than normal fetus (macrosomia)
- birth injury
- cesarean birth
- birth defects, especially NTDs
You and your ob-gyn should work together to develop a nutrition and exercise plan. If you are gaining less than what the guidelines suggest, and if your fetus is growing well, gaining less than the recommended guidelines can have benefits. If your fetus is not growing well, changes may need to be made to your diet and exercise plan.

MyPlate
Healthy eating resources from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
www.myplate.gov
- Healthy Eating on a Budget: https://www.myplate.gov/eat-healthy/healthy-eating-budget
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: https://www.myplate.gov/life-stages/pregnancy-and-breastfeeding
- MyPlate Plan: https://www.myplate.gov/myplate-plan
Food Sources of Select Nutrients
Examples of foods that are good sources of important nutrients.
www.dietaryguidelines. gov/resources/2020-2025-dietary-guidelines-online-materials/food-sources-select-nutrients
Anemia: Abnormally low levels of red blood cells in the bloodstream. Most cases are caused by iron deficiency (lack of iron).
Birth Defects: Physical problems that are present at birth.
Body Mass Index: A number calculated from height and weight. BMI is used to determine whether a person is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.
Calories: Units of heat used to express the fuel or energy value of food.
Cesarean Birth: Birth of a fetus from the uterus through an incision (cut) made in the woman’s abdomen.
Complications: Diseases or conditions that happen as a result of another disease or condition. An example is pneumonia that occurs as a result of the flu. A complication also can occur as a result of a condition, such as pregnancy. An example of a pregnancy complication is preterm labor.
Fetus: The stage of human development beyond 8 completed weeks after fertilization.
Folic Acid: A vitamin that reduces the risk of certain birth defects when taken before and during pregnancy.
Gestational Diabetes: Diabetes that starts during pregnancy.
High Blood Pressure: Blood pressure above the normal level. Also called hypertension.
Macrosomia: A condition in which a fetus grows more than expected, often weighing more than 8 pounds and 13 ounces (4,000 grams).
Neural Tube Defects: Birth defects that result from a problem in development of the brain, spinal cord, or their coverings.
Obstetrician–Gynecologist (Ob-Gyn): A doctor with special training and education in women’s health.
Oxygen: An element that we breathe in to sustain life.
Placenta: An organ that provides nutrients to and takes waste away from the fetus.
Preeclampsia: A disorder that can occur during pregnancy or after childbirth in which there is high blood pressure and other signs of organ injury. These signs include an abnormal amount of protein in the urine, a low number of platelets, abnormal kidney or liver function, pain over the upper abdomen, fluid in the lungs, or a severe headache or changes in vision.
Preterm: Less than 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Trimester: A 3-month time in pregnancy. It can be first, second, or third.

Don't have an ob-gyn? Search for doctors near you.

FAQ001
Last updated: March 2022
Last reviewed: December 2021

Topics:

Pregnancy During Pregnancy Health and Safety During Pregnancy Nutrition and Exercise

This information is designed as an educational aid for the public. It offers current information and opinions related to women's health. It is not intended as a statement of the standard of care. It does not explain all of the proper treatments or methods of care. It is not a substitute for the advice of a physician. Read ACOG’s complete disclaimer.

Vitamins and other nutrients during pregnancy

During pregnancy your baby gets all necessary nutrients from you. So you may need more during pregnancy than you did before pregnancy.

Taking prenatal vitamins and eating healthy foods can help give you all the nutrients you and your baby need during pregnancy.

Make sure your prenatal vitamin has folic acid, iron and calcium in it. Most have the right amount of each of these.

Talk to your provider to make sure you get enough vitamin D, DHA and iodine each day.

Don’t take any supplements without your provider’s OK.

What are prenatal vitamins?

Prenatal vitamins are multivitamins for pregnant women or women who are trying to get pregnant. Compared to a regular multivitamin, they have more of some nutrients that you need during pregnancy. Your health care provider may prescribe a prenatal vitamin for you, or you can buy them over the counter without a prescription. Take a prenatal vitamin every day during pregnancy. If you’re planning to get pregnant, start taking prenatal vitamins before you get pregnant.

Your body uses vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in food to strong and healthy. During pregnancy, your growing baby gets all necessary nutrients from you. So you may need more during pregnancy than you did before. If you’re pregnant with multiples (twins, triplets or more), you may need more nutrients than if you’re pregnant with one baby. Your prenatal vitamin contains the right amount of nutrients you need during pregnancy.

If you’re a vegetarian, have food allergies or can’t eat certain foods, your provider may want you to take a supplement to help you get more of certain nutrients. A supplement is a product you take to make up for certain nutrients that you don’t get enough of in foods you eat. For example, your provider may recommend that you take a vitamin supplement to help you get more vitamin D, iron or calcium.

Which nutrients are most important during pregnancy?

All nutrients are important, but these six play a key role in your baby’s growth and development during pregnancy:

Folic acid
Iron
Calcium
Vitamin D
DHA
Iodine

What is folic acid?

Folic acid is a B vitamin that every cell in your body needs for healthy growth and development. Taking folic acid before and during early pregnancy can help prevent birth defects of the brain and spine called neural tube defects (also called NTDs). Some studies show that taking folic acid may help prevent heart defects and birth defects in your baby’s mouth (called cleft lip and palate).

Before pregnancy take a vitamin supplement with 400 mcg of folic acid every day.
Take a vitamin supplement with 400 mcg of folic acid each day, even if you’re not trying to get pregnant.
During pregnancy, take a prenatal vitamin each day that has 600 mcg of folic acid in it.

Check the product label to see how much folic acid is in it.

If you’re at high risk for having a baby with an NTD, talk to your provider about how you can safely take 4,000 mcg of folic acid each day to help prevent an NTD. Start taking 4,000 mcg at least 3 months before you get pregnant and through the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. You’re at high risk if:

You’ve had a pregnancy with an NTD in the past.
You or your partner has an NTD.
Your partner has a child with an NTD.

Don’t take several multivitamins or prenatal vitamins. You can get too much of other nutrients, which may be harmful to your health. Your provider can help you figure out the best and safest way for you to get the right amount of folic acid.

You can also get folic acid from food. Citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables and beans are all excellent sources of folic acid. Some foods are also enriched with folic acid, such as cereals, bread, rice and pasta.

What is iron?

Iron is a mineral. Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin, a protein that helps carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. You need twice as much iron during pregnancy than you did before pregnancy. Your body needs this iron to make more blood so it can carry oxygen to your baby. Your baby needs iron to make his own blood.

During pregnancy you need 27 milligrams of iron each day. Most prenatal vitamins have this amount. You also can get iron from food. Good sources of iron include:

Lean meat, poultry and seafood
Cereal, bread and pasta that has iron added to it (check the package label)
Leafy green vegetables
Beans, nuts, raisins and dried fruit

Foods containing vitamin C can increase the amount of iron your body absorbs. It's a good idea to eat foods like orange juice, tomatoes, strawberries and grapefruit every day.

Calcium (in dairy products like milk) and coffee, tea, egg yolks, fiber and soybeans can block your body from absorbing iron. Try to avoid these when eating iron-rich foods.

If you don’t get enough iron during pregnancy, you may be more likely to experience:

Infections.
Anemia. This means you have too little iron in your blood.
Fatigue. This means you feel really tired or exhausted.
Premature birth. This means your baby is born too soon, before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Low birthweight. This means your baby is born weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces.

What is calcium?

Calcium is a mineral that helps your baby’s bones, teeth, heart, muscles and nerves develop. During pregnancy, you need 1,000 milligrams of calcium each day. You can get this amount by taking your prenatal vitamin and eating food that has a lot of calcium in it. Good sources of calcium include:

Milk, cheese and yogurt
Broccoli and kale
Orange juice that has calcium added to it (check the package label)

If you don’t get enough calcium during pregnancy, your body takes it from your bones and gives it to your baby. This can cause health conditions, such as osteoporosis, later in life. Osteoporosis causes your bones become thin and break easily.

What is vitamin D?

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. It also helps your body’s nerves, muscles and immune system work. Your immune system protects your body from infection. Vitamin D helps your baby’s bones and teeth grow.

During pregnancy, you need 600 IU (international units) of vitamin D each day. You can get this amount from food or your prenatal vitamin. Good sources of vitamin D include:

Fatty fish, like salmon
Milk and cereal that has vitamin D added to it (check the package label)

What is DHA?

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a kind of fat (called omega-3 fatty acid) that helps with growth and development. During pregnancy, you need DHA to help your baby’s brain and eyes develop. Not all prenatal vitamins contain DHA, so ask your provider if you need to take a DHA supplement.

During pregnancy, it is recommended that women eat 8 to 12 ounces of seafood low in mercury each week. Good sources of DHA include:

Herring, salmon, trout, anchovies, halibut, catfish, shrimp and tilapia
Orange juice, milk and eggs that have DHA added to them (check the package label)

What is iodine?

Iodine is a mineral your body needs to make thyroid hormones, which help your body use and store energy from food. You need iodine during pregnancy to help your baby’s nervous system develop. The nervous system (brain, spinal cord and nerves) helps your baby move, think and feel.

During pregnancy, you need 220 micrograms of iodine every day. Not all prenatal vitamins contain iodine, so make sure you eat foods that have iodine in them. Ask your provider if you need to take an iodine supplement.

Good sources of iodine include:

Fish
Milk, cheese and yogurt
Enriched or fortified cereal and bread (check the package label)
Iodized salt (salt with iodine added to it; check the package label)

Last reviewed September, 2020

Vitamins and pregnancy - articles from the specialists of the clinic "Mother and Child"

Kurbatskaya Olga Nikolaevna

Obstetrician-gynecologist

Lapino-1 Clinical Hospital "Mother and Child"

One of the most common questions that pregnant women ask their doctor is what vitamins should I take during pregnancy? Let's say right away whether expectant mothers need to drink pharmaceutical vitamins or not - there is no unequivocal answer to this question. Some doctors believe that the necessary nutrients should be obtained from natural products. Others are in favor of taking pharmaceutical multivitamins. It can only be said unequivocally that vitamins and microelements must necessarily enter the body of a pregnant woman. We will tell you which of them are most important for the expectant mother.

Folic acid

Other names for this vitamin are vitamin B ₉ or B _with. This vitamin is necessary for cell division and reproduction, so it is especially important in the first trimester of pregnancy, when all organs and systems of the child are being laid. Folic acid plays an important role in the synthesis of hemoglobin, and with its deficiency, anemia can develop. And folic acid also helps to reduce the likelihood of spinal defects in a child, takes care of the correct formation of his psyche and intellect. It is better to start taking folic acid three months before the planned conception, since a small supply of this vitamin will only be useful for both the expectant mother and the baby. If the pregnancy has come unplanned, then folic acid must be taken as soon as the woman finds out about her situation. On average, the dosage of this vitamin is from 0. 4 to 0.8 mg per day.

Calcium

An expectant mother needs about 1200–1400 mg of calcium daily, while an ordinary woman needs 800–1000 mg of this trace element. Why? During pregnancy, the amount of calcium in the body of the expectant mother is significantly reduced, since it is also spent on the growth and development of the child. Especially a lot of calcium is needed in the third trimester, when the baby's skeleton is calcified. But calcium is needed not only for the growth of bones and teeth of a child - with its help, his nervous system, his heart, muscles, skin tissues, eyes, ears, hair and nails are formed. A pregnant woman needs calcium for the full functioning of the kidneys, the prevention of muscle pain, constipation, osteoporosis, caries and toxicosis. In addition, this trace element protects the expectant mother from stress and nervous overload.

Vitamin E

This vitamin is involved in the process of tissue respiration, it helps oxygen to penetrate into every cell of the body. At the same time, vitamin E is an excellent antioxidant: it protects cells from the formation of free radicals that can provoke various diseases. This protective function is especially important at the stage of embryo formation. In addition, vitamin E helps to normalize the hormonal balance of the body. In the early stages, it participates in the formation of the placenta, and also protects against abortion. The dose of vitamin E during pregnancy is 15 mg.

Vitamin E is found in vegetable oils, not less than this vitamin in lettuce, tomatoes, rose hips, parsley, spinach and peas. Some vitamin E is found in meat, eggs and milk.

Magnesium

Magnesium is involved in all metabolic processes, helps to cope with stress, normalizes the functioning of the cardiovascular system and blood pressure, and keeps blood vessels in good shape. Due to a lack of magnesium in the body, cramps in the muscles (usually in the calves) may appear. And since the uterus is also a muscular organ, with a lack of magnesium during pregnancy during gestation, the excitability of the myometrium increases, which leads to active uterine contractions. Therefore, with hypertension and the threat of abortion, magnesium is often prescribed.

Magnesium is rich in whole grains and whole grain breads, figs, almonds, seeds, dark green vegetables, and bananas.

iodine

Iodine is usually prescribed for pregnant women in the first trimester. Up to 16 weeks of pregnancy, the development of the child and the laying of all its organs and systems are "under the protection" of the mother's thyroid gland. And if a woman has little iodine, then this means that some system or organ of the baby may suffer. And even when the child’s own thyroid gland is formed and starts working, she can still take iodine only from the mother’s body. Its daily dose is 250 mg per day.

Iodine is easiest to get from seafood and sea or iodized salt. A lot of iodine is found in sea fish, seaweed, squid, persimmon, feijoa, dates, dried figs, dairy products and meat. However, iodine is destroyed by temperature effects, which means that after heat treatment, the amount of iodine in the products decreases sharply.

Iron

Iron is necessary primarily for the prevention of anemia. After all, it is part of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen throughout the body of the mother and child. In addition, iron is involved in protein synthesis, which is involved in the formation of muscle tissue. And iron deficiency can lead to increased uterine tone. The average daily dosage of iron is 30–60 mg. In some cases, if the woman's iron supply was initially reduced, the dosage may be higher.

Iron is found in meat, especially a lot of it in veal, turkey, hare, pork and beef. There is iron in plant foods, but from there it is absorbed much worse. Iron is best absorbed when taken together with vitamin C.

If a pregnant woman eats properly and varied, eats a lot of fruits and vegetables, then she may not need an additional complex of vitamins for pregnant women. It may be necessary to drink some vitamins separately, but this should be determined by the doctor. If, before pregnancy, a woman had signs of vitamin deficiency, she eats incorrectly or poorly, then multivitamins cannot be dispensed with.

Inset

Vitamin B ₉ (folic acid) is found in animal liver, spinach, asparagus, lentils, Brussels sprouts, beans and wholemeal flour. However, it is absorbed very poorly from food, no more than 50%. That is why it is prescribed to almost all pregnant women.

At one time, our body will not be able to absorb more than 500 mg of calcium. Therefore, you should not try to get the entire daily norm of this trace element in one meal. Try to eat foods containing calcium in small portions several times a day.

To increase the concentration of magnesium in tissues, vitamin B ₆ (pyridoxine) is needed, which facilitates its absorption and acts as a conductor of magnesium into the cell. Therefore, magnesium and vitamin B ₆ are often prescribed together.

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Best prenatal vitamins for 1st and 2nd trimester

CONTRAINDICATIONS. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS. CONSULT WITH A SPECIALIST BEFORE USE Vitamin AVitamin DVitamin EVitamin Vitamins of group BFor pregnant and lactating womenFor immunityCalciumMagnesiumOmega-3NauseaStrengthening of immunityZinc

Contents of the article

Why should pregnant women drink vitamins?
What vitamins should pregnant women take?
What vitamins do pregnant women need?
The best vitamins for pregnant women: expert reviews

Why should pregnant women drink vitamins?

According to the book "Vitamania" by science journalist Katherine Price, the era of the popularity of vitamin supplements began in 1940. Its origin was facilitated by a number of discoveries of various substances - in high concentration they could treat scurvy and a number of other dangerous conditions. Taking advantage of the situation, the pharmaceutical business immediately began to massively launch vitamin complexes and various supplements for sale. Vitamins for pregnant women are especially useful - they allow you to saturate the body and improve the physiological state of a woman.

Let's see what prenatal vitamins are for. Many women are sure that vitamins must be taken:

before pregnancy
when carrying a child

However, experts are not so unambiguous. Some doctors are sure that the body will independently determine the lack of substances and take them from the diet of a woman, others argue that a lack of vitamins can adversely affect the formation of the embryo.

It is better to stick to the golden mean:

Visit a gynecologist and consult with him to find out which vitamins pregnant women should take.
Pass blood tests for hormonal status and the presence of all necessary trace elements in the body.
Based on the results of the tests, the doctor will determine which vitamins a pregnant woman needs and make appropriate prescriptions.

Many women take vitamins on their own, even before pregnancy. This is a completely acceptable tactic, vitamin complexes are harmless in most cases. But with an excess of substances, negative consequences are possible. In particular, if a woman has accumulated a lot of iron, she will feel worse:

nausea
constipation
increased concentration of platelets in the blood

What vitamins should pregnant women take?

It is better to consult a specialist and get tested. Laboratory tests will determine the lack of certain elements, on the basis of which the doctor will make recommendations.

Vitamins are essential during pregnancy. The peculiarity of this condition is the formation of a new organism inside the woman. For its development, microelements and nutrients are taken from the main organism - from the mother. At some point, there will be a shortage of elements, which will lead to a deterioration in well-being:

Lack of vitamin D and calcium will lead to brittle nails, hair, destruction of tooth enamel.
Lack of magnesium and potassium will lead to convulsions, night awakenings due to spasm of the calf muscles.
Lack of thiamine (vitamins of group B) leads to a violation of the mental state, in acute cases, psychosis is possible.

Vitamins are also important during lactation - if a woman took them during pregnancy, it is better to continue taking useful trace elements during lactation.

What vitamins do pregnant women need?

Let's find out which vitamins are best for pregnant women in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters separately.

Prenatal vitamins. 1st trimester

Folic acid or vitamin B9. Promotes the full development of the cardiovascular and nervous systems of the fetus. With its lack, miscarriages are possible.
Iodine. It is necessary to ensure the normal functioning of the thyroid gland of a woman. Its deficiency leads to mental disorders of the fetus and mother, to disorders of the endocrine system.
Vitamins B. Contribute to the full development of the embryo. In particular, B12 is needed for the absorption of folic acid, it prevents anemia.
Zinc. Its absence leads to underdevelopment of the systems and organs of the fetus, as well as to loss of hair and teeth in the mother.
Calcium. It is necessary for the formation of the skeletal system of the child, as well as to prevent problems with bone tissues, teeth and nails in the mother.
Vitamin A. Its use is recommended under medical supervision. An overabundance of the vitamin leads to malformations.
Rutin. Strengthens the vascular system, avoids swelling in the second and third trimester. The additive contributes to the elasticity of the capillary walls, reducing stagnation in the venous channels.
Lutein. Allows a pregnant woman to avoid potential retinal problems and maintain her vision. Also, the supplement has a positive effect on the intellectual development of the child.

If you are interested in the question of what vitamins to take for pregnant women in the first trimester, contact your gynecologist and ask them to refer you to the appropriate tests.

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Vitamins for pregnant women. 2nd and 3rd trimester

So, what vitamins for pregnant women in the 2nd and 3rd trimester will help maintain the health and improve the development of the child?

Tocopherol or vitamin E. It is a natural antioxidant, takes part in tissue respiration. Its lack leads to the development of painful sensations in the muscles, to weakness and even to miscarriages.
Cholecalciferol or vitamin D3. It is produced under ultraviolet light, so a pregnant woman should often walk under the sun. Improves the absorption of calcium and phosphorus.
Retinol or Vitamin A. Beneficial effect on the overall nutrition and development of the embryo. With a lack of this vitamin, a child is born with a lack of weight, and anemia can be diagnosed in the mother.