Despite the importance of starting a healthy diet during pregnancy, it is necessary to pay attention to taking several important vitamins, even if a defective diet occurs in the mother, you can replace it with these vitamins to maintain the health and health of the fetus so that he does not suffer some distortions, God forbid.
Of course, most of the vitamins that the doctor prescribes for each mother are similar to the same elements that each mother needs, except that in some cases you need what other people do not need because there is a deficiency in a particular item .. So you should always consult a doctor before taking any vitamins or nutritional supplements and adhere to what the doctor determines for you .
So what are the important vitamins during pregnancy and when can they start?
There are some vitamins that a woman must take before and during pregnancy, due to her extreme importance, such as:
– Folic acid :
It should be taken before pregnancy until the twelfth week of pregnancy, that is, until the end of the first trimester of pregnancy.
Importance : Folic acid works to protect the fetus from some distortions that can occur in the nervous system and affect the brain and spinal cord of the fetus.
Dosage : The daily dose should not be less than 4 milligrams .. But in special cases the dose is increased if necessary or if the mother has given birth to a child before he has some abnormalities in the nervous system, she must increase the dose in her current pregnancy .. Or if she takes Antiepileptic drugs, as well as if they are pregnant in more than one fetus.
It is possible to obtain folate (the natural form of folic acid) from vegetables with green leaves as well as brown rice .. But it is certain that the required daily dose is not sufficient from vegetables only, so it is taken through the pills to get sufficiently the required dose daily.
– Vitamin D :
It is taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Importance : It helps the growth of the bones of the fetus naturally because its deficiency leads to the softening of the fetal bones and rickets.
Dosage : 10 micrograms daily.
It can be obtained naturally from meat and fish, especially oily fish, eggs, and soy products. Also, when exposed to the sun enough periods of time, especially in the morning time, the body manufactures vitamin D.
But of course it is not possible to obtain the required dose daily, so supplements should be taken.
– Iron :
It is mainly taken during pregnancy and also if a woman suffers from hemoglobin deficiency, it is taken before pregnancy.
Importance : It is one of the most important elements for the mother and the fetus .. It maintains the hemoglobin level for the mother so that anemia does not occur to her and also helps the fetal muscles grow and reduces the risk of premature birth and low fetal weight at birth.
Dosage : 28 mg daily for pregnant women.
It is found naturally in red meat, nuts, green leafy vegetables, and dried fruits.
– Calcium :
It is mainly taken during pregnancy.
Importance : Calcium is considered one of the very important elements to maintain the health of the fetus and the mother .. It helps the growth of the bones and teeth of the fetus. Yet for osteoporosis.
Dosage : 1000 to 1300 mg daily.
Calcium is found naturally in dairy products, fish, leafy vegetables, bread, almonds, and dried fruits such as apricots and figs.
There is very important information that calcium should not be taken with iron at the same time, as calcium works to prevent the absorption of iron, so it must be separated between them at different time periods in order for the body to fully benefit from the two components.
Vitamin C :
It is taken during pregnancy.
Importance : It is one of the most important vitamins as it helps the body absorb iron and also works to protect cells.
It can be obtained from healthy food such as citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes, green, red and broccoli.
There are nutritional supplements that contain many important elements and vitamins .. It is recommended that the doctor advise to get all the important elements.
But it should contain at least these proportions:
Folic acid: at least 4 ,. Mg.
Vitamin D: 400 IU.
Calcium: 200 to 300 mg.
Vitamin C: 70 mg. a
Thiamine: 3 mg.
Vitamin B: 2 mg.
Niacin: 20 mg.
Vitamin B12: 6 micrograms.
Vitamin E: 10 mg.
Zinc: 15 mg.
Iron: 17 mg.
References:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/vitamins-minerals-supplements-pregnant/
https://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/prenatal-vitamins#1
