What vitamins should a young mother supplement?

Pregnancy time is a special period for a woman’s body. It is worth supporting the proper work of the body during this special time. What micronutrients should be supplemented? 

Folic acid 

The most important nutrient that should appear in a pregnant woman’s supplementation plan is vitamin B9. Specialists also recommend taking folic acid in women who are trying to get pregnant. This compound helps in the process of regulating the growth of cells of the nervous, hematopoietic and digestive systems, reduces the risk of fetal heart or central nervous system defects, and supports the development of the child’s urinary system.

Folic acid also contributes to the well-being of the mother and the proper functioning of her body, which reduces the risk of thrombosis, megaloblastic anemia and miscarriage. The correct dose of vitamin B9 supplementation should be recommended by the attending physician so that it meets the needs of the young mother’s body. This is because specialists point out that an excess of folic acid can be just as harmful to a pregnant woman’s body as a deficiency.

Vitamin D3

Another micronutrient that is worth supplementing during pregnancy is vitamin D3. Although large doses of it can be supplemented by staying in sunlight, this option is not always available in pregnant women. Some doctors do not recommend prolonged sunbathing during pregnancy for various medical reasons, so vitamin D3 can be supplemented with synthetic pills.

As with folic acid, the recommended dose of supplementation should be determined by the attending physician, but it is assumed that it should be between 1,500 and 2,000 IU per day. Vitamin D3 helps maintain normal levels of bone mineralization, both in the mother and the developing fetus, has a beneficial effect on the function of the hematopoietic system, and stimulates the immune system. Vitamin supplementation should begin before the beginning of the second trimester of pregnancy, and the level of the ingredient in the body should be constantly monitored by a doctor.

DHA acid

An equally important component of supplementation in pregnant women is docosahexaenoic acid, which belongs to the group of omega-3 fatty acids. This compound influences the increase in birth weight of the newborn, prolongs the duration of pregnancy, thereby reducing the risk of premature birth, helps in the normal psychomotor development of the child, supports the development of the retina and visual acuity, and reduces the risk of postpartum depression in the young mother.

Pregnant women who do not get enough unsaturated fatty acids in their daily diet should be especially wary of a deficiency of this nutrient. It is standardly accepted that the daily requirement in pregnant women is about 600 milligrams.

main photo: unsplash.com/Mika Baumeister