Vitamins during Pregnancy
Eating a healthy, balanced diet will help you to get all the vitamins and minerals you need. There are some vitamins and minerals that are especially important.
It is best to get vitamins and minerals from the food you eat, but when you are pregnant you will need some supplements as well. We have some suggestions as to what types of foods are good sources of the vitamins and minerals you need, and what supplements you should take. We hope you find the information helpful!
- Pregnancy Vitamins – Folic Acid
- Pregnancy Vitamins – Iron
- Pregnancy Vitamins – Vitamin C
- Pregnancy Vitamins – Calcium
- Pregnancy Vitamins – Vitamin D
- Pregnancy Vitamins – The Healthy Start Scheme
- Pregnancy Vitamins – Vegetarian, Vegan and Special Diets
Getting a good balance of nutrients for you and your baby during pregnancy is crucial but can you meet all your nutritional requirements through diet alone, or do you need to take vitamins for extra supplies?
One of the most important nutrients for pregnancy is folic acid, and it’s important that you do take these supplements when you’re pregnant. It can even help when you’re trying for a baby too. It’s important as women deficient in folic acid are likely to have a greater risk of having a baby with a neural tube defect, such as spina bifida.
On the whole, if you’re healthy and well there isn’t usually a major need to take extra vitamin supplements when you’re pregnant, as a normal balanced diet should provide all the vitamin requirements your baby needs. The following vitamins are important and good levels can be obtained through eating the correct foods.
Don’t Take Vitamins Without Advice
It’s not advisable, however, to take supplements randomly without medical advice, especially in large quantities. This is because some vitamins could in fact cause harm to your baby, rather than help their growth.
SPEAK TO YOUR DOCTOR OR MIDWIFE BEFORE TAKING ANY VITAMINS DURING PREGNANCY