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We all want to give our babies the best start in life we possibly can. As a mother there is a lot of pressure to eat the right things and get the right amount of vitamins and nutrients. However it is not always easy to fit in all that food in one day, especially when morning sickness hits. It is recommended a pregnant woman eats three to four servings of dairy, four or five servings of cereal grains, one to two servings of meat or protein foods, one to two servings of cooked dried beans and peas, four to six servings of fruit and vegetables and drink six to eight glasses of water everyday. For most women this is a near impossible task. Vitamin supplements are not needed for women who have a full and healthy diet and no pre-existing medical conditions. Many of us do have certain vitamin deficiencies and we are not even aware of it. While this isn’t really a huge problem for our personal health, when you are growing a baby it can have an effect on the baby’s growth. It is a good idea to discuss with a medical professional with supplements to take. Women who are vegetarian, smoke, drink alcohol, have eating disorders, are vitamin deficient or are carrying twins should discuss the following vitamin supplements with their medical professionals: Folic Acid (400mg daily) should be taken at least one month before conception and for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Folate is important for DNA synthesis, increased blood volume, cell division and healthy tissue development. A deficiency in folate can lead to neural tube defects and even a mild folate deficiency can increase the risk of low birth weight, defects of the brain and sinal cord, or spontaneous abortion. Iron (36mg daily) is in great demand by a mother’s body. During pregnancy a mother’s body transfers much of her iron to her baby and uses iron to increase the number of red blood cells she has. Iron deficiencies have been linked to spontaneous abortion, premature delivery and increased risk of infection after delivery, low birth weight and stillbirth. Vegetarians should be aware of their iron intake, as iron is not easily absorbed from plant sources. Vitamin C (60mg daily) helps in tissue development and the absorption of iron and other minerals. Low levels of vitamin C have been linked to pre-eclampsia. It is not advised for women to take high dosages of Vitamin C during pregnancy. Zinc (16mg daily) is thought to be linked to easy pregnancy and delivery. It is necessary to carry a baby to full term. Deficiencies in Zinc during early pregnancy can have many implications for birth weight, spontaneous abortion, developmental and behaviour problems and premature delivery. Vitamin B12 is important for women who are strict vegetarian or vegan. A vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to stillbirth and infertility. Vitamin B6 can assist those women with morning sickness. Calcium (250mcg daily) is important for bone and teeth development. Women need to consciously increase their calcium intake to prevent the baby drawing calcium from the mother’s bones. Calcium stored in bones can contain high levels of iron, which is harmful to a baby’s development.
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