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Vitamin And Mineral Supplements During Pregnancy |
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Late -
Pregnancy
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Vitamin And Mineral Supplements During PregnancyBe very cautious about taking vitamin and mineral supplements during pregnancy. Often people do not think of vitamins and minerals as harmful, but they can be, especially to your developing baby. (See also the discussion about specific vitamins and minerals beginning on page 185.)
Many vitamin supplements and "megavitamins" sold in health food stores contain extremely high amounts of minerals, vitamins and other substances. Even some foods contain extra vitamins and minerals. Some of these supplements could adversely affect your developing baby.
Avoid any vitamins or minerals other than your prenatal vitamin and iron or folic-acid supplements, unless prescribed by your doctor specifically for you. Read labels on the various foods you eat. Do not self-medicate with other vitamins or minerals-you don't need them, and they can be dangerous if taken in excessive amounts.
Prenatal vitamins contain the recommended daily amounts of vitamins and minerals you need during pregnancy. They are prescribed to ensure your health and your baby's health.
Prenatal Vitamins
At your first prenatal visit, your doctor will probably give you a prescription for prenatal vitamins. It's very important that you take these vitamins for your entire pregnancy.
Each vitamin contains many essential ingredients for the development of your baby and your continued good health, which is why we want you to take them until your baby is born. A typical prenatal vitamin contains the following:
• calcium to build baby's teeth and bones and to help strengthen yours
• copper to help prevent anemia and to aid in bone formation
• Folic acid to reduce the risk of neural-tube defects and to aid red blood
• cell production
• iodine to help control metabolism
• iron to prevent anemia and to help baby's blood development
• vitamins A, 81 82 83 86 and E for general health and body metabolism
• vitamin 812 to promote formation of blood
• vitamin C to aid in your body's absorption of iron
• vitamin D to strengthen baby's bones and teeth and to help your body use phosphorus and calcium
• zinc to help balance fluids in your body and to aid nerve and muscle function
Sometimes, late in pregnancy; a woman stops taking her prenatal vitamins; she gets tired of taking them, or she decides they aren't necessary. Studies show that nearly half of all pregnant women who are prescribed prenatal vitamins do not take them regularly. The vitamins and iron in prenatal vitamins are essential to the well-being of your baby, so take your prenatal vitamins until your baby is born.
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