Best vitamins for pregnant women 7 essential elements

If you are planning to become pregnant or are already pregnant and wondering what the best vitamins for pregnant and breastfeeding women are, you definitely need to know these important points to maintain the health of the mother and the baby.

Best Vitamins for Pregnant Women

What are the best vitamins for pregnant women?

A pregnant woman’s body requires more essential nutrients for the healthy development of the fetus and to compensate for what the mother’s body may lack. The World Health Organization has identified some important elements such as:

Multivitamins for Pregnant Women

Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)

One of the most important vitamins that provide the body with energy and contribute to the formation of blood cells, thus treating anemia. One of its key roles during pregnancy is its contribution to the proper formation of the fetus’s early cells. Studies have shown a link between folic acid deficiency and some congenital issues in newborns.

Doctors recommend taking folic acid regularly in doses of 300-400 micrograms daily during the pre-pregnancy planning stage due to its importance in the early stages of fetal development to prevent potential issues.

Calcium

Calcium is an essential element, and doctors usually advise pregnant women to consume calcium-rich foods such as dairy products, broccoli, sesame seeds, and others to provide the necessary calcium for building the baby’s bones and preventing calcium deficiency issues in the mother.

Global recommendations also advise supplementing pregnant women with calcium starting from the fourth month of pregnancy.

The usual daily dose of calcium is 1,200 mg per day, and it is recommended to take it away from iron sources to allow better absorption of both nutrients, meaning they should be separated by at least two hours.

Vitamin D

One of the most important and best vitamins for women are those containing vitamin D in preventive doses alongside calcium due to vitamin D’s general benefits and its special role in calcium absorption.

The recommended daily dose for pregnant women is 600 IU per day, which can be increased to 4,000 IU in special cases under medical supervision.

Studies have shown the importance of vitamin D for the proper growth of the fetus, as well as its role in preventing gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia caused by high blood pressure. Researches have also linked low vitamin D levels in pregnant women to preterm birth.

Iron

Pregnant women require more iron than others because iron is needed to produce red blood cells that nourish both the mother’s and baby’s cells, especially as the pregnancy progresses and the fetus grows.

Due to the risks of anemia in pregnant women and its impact on fetal growth and the increased likelihood of maternal bleeding during childbirth if the mother is anemic, it is crucial for pregnant women to consume iron-rich foods such as apples, pears, red meat, and other iron sources.

Doctors also recommend taking around 27 mg of iron starting from the fourth month, separated from calcium and calcium-rich products by at least two hours.

To maximize iron absorption, it’s best to take it with vitamin C to enhance intestinal absorption, ideally two hours after a meal to avoid stomach discomfort.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is one of the most important vitamins for children.

When choosing the best vitamins for pregnant women, ensuring the presence of all essential elements is vital. One important element is vitamin C due to its role in preventing preeclampsia, strengthening arteries and tissues, and its general benefits for non-pregnant individuals, such as aiding iron absorption, acting as an antioxidant, and improving skin health.

Vitamin B Complex

One of the best vitamins for women that is essential for the baby’s health and development. The B-complex group is important for the baby’s nervous system development and contributes to healthy eye development.

Additionally, vitamin B helps improve the pregnant mother’s digestion and reduces pregnancy-related nausea. In fact, vitamin B6 injections are used to safely prevent nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

Omega-3

This essential fatty acid is crucial for the baby’s nervous system development and helps the fetus grow at a rate appropriate to its age.

A Vitamin but Be Cautious About… 

Despite the common belief in the importance and safety of vitamins, there is one vitamin that is particularly dangerous if you are planning a pregnancy or are already pregnant: Vitamin A.

Although vitamin A is generally important for skin health, corneal health, and hence vision, it can cause serious fetal deformities if the mother takes it during pregnancy or shortly before conception.

Doctors advise women of childbearing age who are planning to become pregnant to avoid vitamin A supplements for at least six months before pregnancy to prevent potential birth defects.

Finally, consult your doctor to determine the best vitamins for pregnant women that include all the nutrients you need for your health and your baby’s well-being.