During pregnancy, the need for vitamins and minerals increases. That is why a properly balanced diet is so important, which should cover the demand for all nutrients. However, as is commonly known, pregnancy is a special period when women experience nausea and cravings and may not be able to follow an appropriately varied diet. Therefore, if necessary, the specialist can implement additional supplementation of ingredients that are important for the child’s development, and the current diet does not cover their increased demand.
What should vitamin and microelement supplementation look like for pregnant women?
Dietary supplements, i.e. vitamins, minerals and other ingredients during pregnancy, are a supplement to the diet for pregnant women. When visiting your doctor, he or she may order tests for various vitamins, such as Vitamin D. After analyzing the results, he or she will select appropriate supplementation if necessary. When making this selection, various factors are important: the trimester of pregnancy, the woman’s diet and well-being.
The Big Four – Recommended Ingredients for Supplementation During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the most important ingredients that should be included in supplementation include the so-called Big Four, or 4 ingredients that, according to the Polish Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians, are the most important for the development of the childduring pregnancy and for the health of the mother. The big four vitamins and microelements are: iodine, vitamin D, folic acid and DHA. In pregnancy supplements that we buy at the pharmacy, we can also find other substances, such as choline, magnesium, B vitamins and calcium. They also play an important role, which is why they are often included in preparations for pregnancy and lactation.
Iodine for proper thyroid function
During the 9 months of pregnancy, the need for iodine increases, so the daily dose is approximately 0.2 mg. This is an important mineral that is responsible for the functioning of the thyroid gland, which produces hormones that are more important for health. The thyroid gland is responsible for maintaining pregnancy and for the development of the fetus’s hormonal system. Iodine is supplied with food (in Poland, salt is iodized), however, due to the increased demand during pregnancy, specialists recommend additional supplementation for pregnant womenat a dose of 150 – 200 µg per day.
Vitamin D for immunity
Vitamin D is strongly recommended for supplementation by specialists due to the insufficient supply of it from food and the limited conditions for its synthesis by our body. The reason is the lack of sun, because it is thanks to UV rays that we have the ability to synthesize vitamin D in the skin. Obstetricians’ recommendations for vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy are 2000 IU (50 µg) per day regardless of the season. Vitamin D primarily has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the immune system, but also supports bone and muscle health. It also takes part in the process of cell division.
Folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects
This is an ingredient that has a huge impact on the course of pregnancy. Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, affects the development of the fetus’s nervous system during pregnancy. The appropriate level of folates in the blood reduces the risk of developmental defects in the child related to failure of the neural tube to close. Experts emphasize that during pregnancy you should take 0.4 mg of folic acid per day until at least the 12th week of pregnancy (and preferably also before conception, because it is a key ingredient also for women planning a pregnancy). It is worth adding that some women may have problems absorbing folic acid during pregnancy, which is why dietary supplements with this ingredient should contain, in addition to regular folic acid, easily digestible, so-called fourth-generation folates.
DHA – for eye and brain development
DHA acid, also known as docosahexaenoic acid, is one of the most valuable omega-3 acids, important for pregnancy and lactation. According to the Polish Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians, it should be taken until the 20th week of pregnancy at a dose of 600 mg per day. DHA has a positive effect on the mother’s body during pregnancy and may also have a positive effect on the date of delivery. Moreover, it is a valuable ingredient for your baby because it supports the proper development of the brain, eyesight and bones.
Dietary supplements cannot be used as a substitute for a varied diet. A balanced diet and healthy lifestyle are important for maintaining health.
