Pregnancy And Prenatal Vitamins
During pregnancy the female body is said to produce about 50% more blood than usual. Because of this the body requires more nutrients and vitamins during pregnancy. A good supply of vitamins is essential in order to ensure the good health of the unborn baby. We are going to look at some of the roles played by prenatal vitamins during pregnancy;
Vitamins prevent infection and disease
Vitamins like vitamin C help the body in a lot of ways since it is an antioxidant. Antioxidants like vitamin C help protect body tissue from damage and also improve its ability to absorb iron. Vitamin C plays an important role in building the body’s immune system. When the body is able to absorb more iron this reduces the risk of developing anemia.
Vitamins play an essential role in metabolism
Vitamins like thiamin, riboflavin and niacin help maintain the body’s energy and keep the digestive and nervous systems functioning properly. These vitamins are very important during pregnancy since the body’s energy demands increase significantly during pregnancy. Cell and tissue synthesis require energy from metabolism. As the baby is being formed more and more energy will be required, that is why it may be necessary to take supplements of vitamins that help maintain the body’s energy.
Vitamins that help keep the baby strong
There are vitamins like vitamin D which helps the body efficiently utilize calcium and phosphorus. Calcium and phosphorus are required in building strong bones and teeth. During pregnancy calcium and phosphorus will be required in larger concentrations and thus the body has to be able to absorb more and more of the nutrients from the diet. Vitamin D ensures that more calcium and phosphorus are absorbed from the diet thus reducing the chances of osteoporosis in the pregnant mother and rickets in the baby.
Vitamins keep the placenta intact
During pregnancy the health of the placenta is very important. This is so because a baby gets all its nourishment from the placenta during its entire stay in its mother’s womb. If the placenta is not in good condition it will cause a baby to grow with defects and at times an unhealthy placenta may even fail to support a baby such that there can be a miscarriage or a premature birth. However there are prenatal vitamins like folic acid which helps maintain the condition of the placenta and has been seen to reduce the risks of neural tube defects and spina bifida.
How to know which vitamins to take
It may be difficult for you to decide which vitamins to take and in which quantities. Another problem you will have to watch out for is that some vitamins when mixed can affect the way in which the body absorbs essential nutrients. It is therefore wiser to consult your doctor so he/she can give you advice on which vitamins to take during pregnancy. You must also remember that using too many vitamin supplements may cause vitamin toxicity which is no good for your unborn baby, so always follow your doctor’s advice.