Vitamins In Pregnancy

We all know that eating a good well balanced diet is the best thing to help us stay healthy, there is not any time when this is more critical than during pregnancy. However this is no always straightforward to stick to. So how can we make sure that we are providing our growing baby with all of the essential vitamins and nutrients that they need to help them grow?

Many people take prenatal vitamin supplements when pregnant and although It's best to get vitamins and minerals from the food that you eat, there are some minerals and vitamins that are particularly vital.

Many doctors endorse taking folic acid supplements until you are 12 weeks pregnant. Folic acid is vital for pregnancy as it will also help prevent birth defects known as neural tube defects, which could cause conditions like spina bifida. If you did not take folic acid before you conceived, it is suggested to start as soon as you learn that you are carrying a child. Also eating foods that contain folic acid,eg green leafy plants and brown rice, some breakfast cereals, bread could be a smart idea too.

I took folic acid in my first pregnancy, but in my second i took Pregnacare Plus and when I wasn’t really up to eating due to sickness it was reassuring to know that my baby was getting the vitamins and nutrients he required (including the recommended 400mg folic acid) even at the times when my diet was no so good! I carried on taking these up to the birth and continued during breastfeeding. I did find that they made me a little sick but I just started taking them before bed and I was fine.

A varied and balanced diet should give enough nutrient elements for you and your baby during pregnancy however if like me you suffered from morning sickness and food aversions or even weird cravings, I found it reassuring to know that irrespective of how my diet was at the time my baby was still well nourished, leaving me to eat my apple pie and custard as often as I want!! (Ok so I regretted it later when trying hard to loose the baby weight but it was worth it at the time).

Emma Smith is a mother of 2 who writes a pregnancy blog with information on prenatal vitamins, fitness and health at PrenatalCareAtHome.com