Vitamins for pregnant women: when and why they are needed

Waiting for a baby is a trembling and exciting process. But while the mother is in emotions and preparations for childbirth, rebuilding her lifestyle, the body experiences stress and also rearranges its work. Hormonal and physiological changes occur, which are vital to control. During this period, a woman’s body works “for two” and more resources are required for uninterrupted operation than usual. Today we are talking about the health of expectant mothers and reviewing vitamins, which are designed to help the fair half keep the pregnancy healthy, support its normal course, and ensure the baby receives all the nutrients.

Vitamins and microelements necessary for the body of a pregnant woman

For successful conception and healthy bearing of a baby, you need, firstly, vitamins, secondly, hormonal balance, and thirdly, a strong nervous system. It must be said that the last two components of a successful pregnancy are ensured precisely by the full content of vitamins in the expectant mother.

• B vitamins are the main ones that influence a healthy pregnancy. Thanks to riboflavin or Vitamin B2, the body produces some hormones, produces red blood cells and adenosine triphosphoric acid (ATP), which literally breathes life into our cells. Therefore, the presence of this vitamin is so important in the body of a pregnant woman.
• Vitamin B9 or folic acid is essential in women's health. This vitamin specifically protects the reproductive system, promoting conception and gestation and prevents the development of cancer cells.
• Vitamins that cleanse the body of a pregnant woman and a woman who has already given birth from waste and toxins - A and E. They have a positive effect on the nervous and cardiovascular systems and protect vision. During pregnancy and childbirth, women may experience eye problems under the influence of hormonal changes.
• Vitamin C helps the body mobilize the body’s protective barrier; with sufficient amounts of it, a person absorbs iron better. Lack of iron leads to anemia and low hemoglobin, which is not a good option for a pregnant woman.
• Iodine is a faithful friend of the thyroid gland, which is responsible for the production of hormones that are vital for a person, and even more so for a pregnant woman.
• Calcium - a sufficient amount of it in the body - is the key to ensuring that the baby’s entire skeletal system will develop normally.

What is the difference between regular vitamins and prenatal vitamins?

A pregnant woman needs more vitamins and minerals, which she will share with the fetus for its normal development: so the first difference is the dose. Which is adjusted depending on the stage of pregnancy. With each trimester, the fetus grows and develops, and therefore, the composition of nutrients for it and the expectant mother, which maintains these processes in order, may change. Specialized vitamin complexes differ from ordinary vitamin complexes in their composition and dosage, which are created taking into account the characteristics of a pregnant woman’s body, and taking into account the optimal maintenance of the processes that are launched in it. The recommended norm of vitamins and minerals, its dose for women carrying a child, looks like this:

First trimester vitamins:

The most important one, which requires a more reverent attitude and attention from the woman herself, the doctor and, perhaps, all family members. Because during this period the nervous system of the future baby is formed, the circulatory and cardiovascular systems are formed. In order for these processes to proceed safely, a woman needs to include vitamins such as:

• For normal growth and proportions of the unborn baby - vitamin A;
• To reduce the likelihood of toxicosis and seizures, as well as relieve nervous excitability - B vitamins, in particular B6, which is recommended to be taken along with magnesium;
• For the proper formation of the fetal neural tube, from where the brain and spinal cord will form, taking another B vitamin - B9 - folic acid is vital.
• For the normal development of the circulatory system of the unborn baby and maintaining the development process of the embryo as a whole - iodine and iron.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW: Folic acid is one of the few vitamins that is not produced by our body and we only have a small amount of it thanks to beneficial intestinal bacteria that synthesize folic acid. Food or vitamins from the pharmacy are the only sure way to meet your daily requirement.

Second trimester vitamins:

No less important than the beginning of pregnancy. And if at the end of the 1st trimester all the baby’s systems and organs are already formed, then the 2nd trimester is the time for his active development and growth. So, at this stage it is important to include in a woman’s diet:

• All the same B vitamins - for the normal functioning of the baby’s nervous system, to maintain normal production of amino acids and chemical elements, prevent deficiency of hemoglobin cells, reduce the risk of late toxicosis in women;
• Vitamin for immunity - C;
• Vitamin and mineral for healthy growth of bones and cardiovascular system of the baby and preventing the destruction of bone tissue in women - D; calcium
• Vitamin to maintain the normal condition of the placenta and reduce the risk of early birth - E;
• Maintaining normal hemoglobin levels and reducing the risk of anemia to zero - iron;
• Maintenance of the thyroid gland, which produces vital hormones in the body of a pregnant woman and normal development of the brain in the fetus - iodine.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW: the baby receives all nutrients, including essential vitamins and minerals, from the mother. Thus, the food habits of the unborn child, his health and immunity are formed in the womb. Therefore, it is very important to monitor the diet of a woman who is expecting a child.

Third trimester vitamins:

The 3rd trimester is the final stage of pregnancy, during which the fetus reaches a large size and becomes more active. The load on a woman's body increases. Why and what vitamins are needed now:

• Vitamin D is important for maintaining normal metabolism of calcium and phosphorus - the main elements for the formation of a healthy skeleton, and this vitamin is also important for preventing childhood rickets and bone deformations.
• B vitamins are required to reduce the risk of late toxicosis, for normal fluid circulation in the female body and its elimination; for the production of growth hormone, which is important for the baby.
• Vitamin for immunity - C - but, in addition to protecting the health of the baby and the pregnant woman, this vitamin protects other incoming fat-soluble vitamins from oxidation, thereby promoting their better absorption.
• Vitamins for normal functioning of the placenta, good elasticity of the skin and uterine walls - A, E.

Among the large availability of vitamins for pregnant women, we recommend focusing on the following manufacturers, with an optimal price/quality/safety ratio:
Multi-tabs PERINATAL
(contain Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are important for the pregnant woman and the fetus, improve placental blood circulation ,reduce the risks of developing placental insufficiency, fetal hypoxia, gestosis, premature birth).
Femibion ​​natalker
(contains 9 vital vitamins and iodine, balances carbohydrate metabolism and energy supply, useful vitamins for hematopoiesis and strengthens the nervous system).
Complivit Mama
(combined multivitamin preparation, contains a set of micro- and macroelements that maintain the stability of red blood cells, promotes the normal development of the placenta and embryonic tissues, the vitamins included in the composition stimulate the synthesis of amino and nucleic acids, inhibits the development of anemia).
Elevit pronatal
(contains the optimal amount of vitamins and minerals for a complete diet for pregnant and lactating women).
AlfaVit Mom's Health
(a hypoallergenic combination of vitamins and minerals, containing iron, calcium, Vitamin D, folic acid in optimal dosages, suitable for use in the 1st trimester of pregnancy to support the proper development of the embryo).

1. Choose your vitamins wisely. Before taking it, consult a specialist so that he can help you choose a drug based on your characteristics.
2. carefully study the instructions, contraindications and composition.
3. Pregnant women experience allergic reactions to a certain vitamin or their combination, so it is better to undergo additional examination to eliminate risks during pregnancy or replace some vitamins with others.
4. Vitamins should be taken at the same time so that they accumulate evenly in the blood and tissues, so the embryo will receive an even supply of useful substances.
5. Experts do not recommend taking any vitamin on an empty stomach. It is advisable to do this after eating. This is due to the fact that beneficial substances will be better absorbed in the intestines, dissolved in food, and problems with the mucous membranes of the stomach are undesirable for pregnant women.
6. The best time to take vitamins is in the morning after breakfast.
7. Stick to exact dosages! If you miss a vitamin dose, do not try to “catch up with the dose” at the next dose by taking two tablets or capsules.

Vitrum prenatal

Vitrum prenatal is a complex of vitamins, macro- and microelements. Designed to prevent hypovitaminosis and lack of minerals during pregnancy and lactation. Contains the entire set of “life amines” and minerals necessary for a pregnant woman, fetus and newborn child. Riboflavin (vitamin A) regulates the production of vital enzymes and has a beneficial effect on the development of muscle tissue. It regulates hormonal levels, participates in the synthesis of the immune protein interferon, epithelial cells, normalizes the condition of the inner lining of the eye, being responsible for the so-called. twilight vision. Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) affects protein metabolism and regulates calcium and phosphorus levels. It ensures better absorption of calcium in the digestive tract and subsequent accumulation in growth areas. Calcium deficiency is dangerous due to the possible deterioration of bone health in the mother, the future, and then the born child. Cholecalciferol is useful not only during pregnancy, but also during breastfeeding until its end. Tocopherol (vitamin E) improves the rheological characteristics of the blood, ensures the elimination of toxins and decay products from the body, strengthens the walls of blood vessels, stimulates blood circulation, which is especially important during pregnancy, because. At this time, the woman’s circulating blood volume increases, reaching a peak at the 7th month, requiring more resources to maintain the proper intensity of blood circulation. A lack of tocopherol can cause impaired blood circulation in the capillary bed, which negatively affects not only the mother, but also the growing fetus. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is actively involved in redox reactions, is in demand in the synthesis of the structural protein collagen, promotes tissue restoration, improves immune status, and promotes the absorption of iron in the digestive tract.

Vitamin C deficiency leads to impaired permeability of the vascular wall and suppression of the secretion of steroid hormones. Folic acid is an integral component of any vitamin and mineral complex for pregnant women. It ensures the normal development of the fetal nervous system, preventing the formation of congenital pathologies. Thiamine (vitamin B1) is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates and prevents the acid-base balance from shifting to the “acidic” side, thereby ensuring the normal functioning of organs and systems. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) ensures cellular respiration and helps pyridoxine (vitamin B6) enter its active form. Pyridoxine, in turn, is a participant in most metabolic processes, a supplier of iron to the bone marrow, and a regulator of the central nervous system. Cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) prevents the destruction of the walls of red blood cells, controls the process of transformation of parenchymal cells into fat deposits, thereby preventing excessive weight gain while expecting a child. Nicotinamide (vitamin PP) is an active participant in the formation of proteins and lipids. In addition, it prevents blood clots. Calcium is in demand in the formation of bone tissue, ensures normal iron absorption and nerve conduction. Iron is used by the body as a carrier of oxygen to cells and a catalyst for redox reactions. Zinc is involved in the synthesis of bone cells and the regulation of hormonal balance.