Vitamins for pregnant women: when, what and in what quantities you should take

August 6, 2021

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Prevention

Pregnancy leads to dramatic changes in a woman’s life. In particular, the body's nutritional needs change. Unfortunately, a balanced diet is not enough to provide a woman and her unborn baby with all the necessary vitamins and microelements. This is why it is important to take special prenatal vitamins until the day you give birth.

What elements must be included in a multivitamin for pregnant women?

Taking monovitamins in high doses can be dangerous. Therefore, if the doctor has not given any additional instructions, it is better to buy a balanced vitamin and mineral complex, rather than try to independently calculate the dosage and compatibility of each individual element. However, doctors identify “critically important” vitamins and minerals that pregnant women must take.

1. Folic acid.

Vitamin B9 is critical in fetal development. It is this element that helps prevent neural tube defects and heart defects in the embryo. It is best to start taking folic acid at the stage of pregnancy planning. But even if the conception was unplanned, it is necessary to start taking the vitamin in a dosage of at least 600 mcg immediately after the woman learns about her new condition.

2. Iron.

This mineral is actively used by the body to produce hemoglobin: a protein that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. During pregnancy, a woman needs to receive twice as much iron. Even if there were no signs of anemia before, and a sufficient amount of the mineral could be obtained from the diet, then after conception you will have to take an appropriate supplement. A healthy woman carrying a child needs approximately 27 milligrams of iron per day. For those who suffer from anemia, the daily requirement is increased. The longer the pregnancy, the more blood the expectant mother’s body needs to produce in order to provide the fetus with oxygen. That is why during pregnancy, at least once a trimester, it is necessary to take a clinical blood test. Based on the results, the doctor will be able to timely adjust the iron dosage.

3. Calcium.

This mineral is responsible for the development of bones, teeth, muscles and nerves of the unborn child. During pregnancy, a woman's body requires at least 1000 milligrams of calcium per day. A deficiency of the mineral is more dangerous to the health of the expectant mother than the child. To provide the developing fetus with everything it needs, the body takes calcium directly from the bones of the pregnant woman. As a result, a woman may lose teeth and may develop osteoporosis in old age.

4. Vitamin D

Calciferol (another name for the element) helps the body absorb calcium and is also responsible for the development of the fetal bone and immune system. Taking vitamin D is especially important in early pregnancy, when the placenta is forming. It is enough to take 600 IU (international units) per day until delivery. Calciferol also reduces the risk of preeclampsia and premature birth.

5. Omega-3.

Fatty acids are needed for fetal brain development. You can usually get enough Omega 3.6 from red fish. But pregnant women are advised to avoid eating seafood due to the risk of mercury and lead entering the body. This is why it is worth getting fatty acids from pharmaceutical preparations. The dosage is 200 mg per day. It is recommended to take Omega-3 until the end of lactation.

It is best to start taking prenatal vitamins before conception. Micronutrient deficiency is most critical in the early stages of pregnancy, when vital systems and organs are formed.

Compound

Fish oil concentrate, gelatin, calcium carbonate, humectant glycerin, D, L-alpha-tocopherol acetate (vitamin E), emulsifier mono- and diglycerides of dietary fatty acids, rapeseed oil, silicon dioxide stabilizer, cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12), pyridoxine hydro- chloride (vitamin Be), thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B), riboflavin (vitamin B6), cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), glucosamine salt (6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (folic acid), potassium iodide, titanium dioxide dyes, iron oxides and hydroxides .

This preparation uses cow gelatin.

Nutritional (food) and energy (calorie) value per 100 g (g): proteins - 24 g (g), fats - 39 g (g), carbohydrates -16 g (g), salt - 0.14 g (g) , 2142 kJ (kJ) / 516 kcal (kcal). Contents: 42 g (g) (30 capsules).

Does everyone need pharmacy vitamins or can you get by with vegetables and fruits?

In an ideal world, all the microelements necessary for normal childbearing can actually be obtained from food. But not always a woman can correctly calculate her diet, and most importantly, choose the best, environmentally friendly fruits and vegetables, seafood, and meat. This is why doctors recommend that all expectant mothers take vitamins. This is the only way to be completely sure that the body receives all the necessary nutrients.

It is especially dangerous to ignore the recommendation to take vitamins for those who did not plan a pregnancy and were on a strict diet before conception. Women at risk also include:

• with diagnosed food intolerance (celiac disease, lactase deficiency);
• smoking and drinking alcohol;
• those suffering from bulimia, anorexia;
• having multiple pregnancies.

In most cases, the doctor takes a medical history, prescribes blood tests, and only then prescribes vitamin supplements. But even if the expectant mother is not at risk, taking a vitamin-mineral complex will not be superfluous.

What supplements should you avoid during pregnancy?

Multivitamin complexes contain almost all vitamins and minerals in safe dosages. And any monovitamins are allowed to be taken only after consultation with a doctor. After all, an overdose of some elements poses a threat to the fetus.

Vitamin A is involved in the development of the unborn baby's immune system. But if too much retinol enters a pregnant woman’s body, the risk of developing congenital anomalies in the fetus will increase several times. Vitamin E is also involved in the formation of immunity and the nervous system. But an overdose increases the risk of premature birth.

Exotic dietary supplements, medicinal herbs, and homeopathic supplements are generally not recommended to be taken during pregnancy. It's better to focus on eating right, getting enough exercise, and minimizing stress. It is imperative to take vitamins prescribed by your doctor. But we must remember that this is not the only condition for a successful pregnancy outcome.

Sumavit materna capsules for pregnant women, 30 pcs.

Sumavit maternal is a complex of vitamins and minerals specifically designed to meet the special nutritional needs of expectant mothers and their babies.

Sumavit obscene is made in Germany.

Folic acid

Sumavit mother contains the fourth generation folate - Quatrefolic®, which, unlike folic acid, is already a biologically active form of folate. Regular folic acid in the body must first be converted to its active form by enzymes.

Quatrefolic does not require additional activation in the body, providing the necessary level of folate during pregnancy and lactation, even in those women whose body cannot fully absorb folic acid.

Folates contribute to the growth of maternal tissue during pregnancy, the normal functioning of the immune system, and are also involved in cell division processes.

Insufficient levels of folate in the body are a risk factor for the development of neural tube defects in the fetus.

Since neural tube closure occurs within three to four weeks after conception, effective prevention requires starting a daily intake of 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid before planning pregnancy.

Iodine:

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the need for iodine is increased, so a sufficient intake of iodine in the body is especially important. If you have thyroid disease, you should first consult your doctor.

Iodine, among other things, contributes to the normal development of cognitive function and growth in children. Therefore, even before pregnancy, you should ensure a sufficient supply of iodine in the body.

DHA (omega-3 fatty acid)

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a polyunsaturated fatty acid, which is one of the most important unsaturated fatty acids during pregnancy. It is involved in brain development and vision formation in the fetus and newborn during breastfeeding. During pregnancy and lactation, the body's need for DHA increases and the amount of DHA coming from food sources is insufficient. DHA is passed from mother to baby through the placenta and breast milk.

Vitamin D3:

The level of vitamin D in the mother's body directly affects the supply of vitamin D to her child. Vitamin D contributes to the normal functioning of the immune system and the maintenance of healthy bones.

A small amount of vitamin D enters the body with food; it is mainly formed in the body due to sunlight that hits the skin. During the winter months, it is especially difficult to get the recommended amount of vitamin D. It should be noted that low doses of vitamin D cannot fully meet the needs of a pregnant woman and child. The blood level of vitamin D and possible recommended dose vary from person to person and depend on many factors (season, skin color, length of sun exposure, use of sunscreens, body mass index, diet).

B vitamins:

Vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B12 contribute to the normal metabolism of energy and substances in the body and the normal functioning of the nervous system. Vitamin B12 is also involved in cell division processes.

Vitamin E:

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin and is necessary to ensure the normal structure and functioning of cell membranes. Vitamin E has a high antioxidant (prevents oxidation and destruction of cell membranes) effect. Improves oxygen consumption by tissues.

Calcium:

The most important structural component of bone tissue. It also supports heart function, ensures muscle contractions, improves nerve conduction, normalizes the permeability of the vascular wall and is involved in blood clotting. The need for calcium increases rapidly during pregnancy and lactation.