5 Essential Supplements For Healthy Pregnancy!

Taking necessary supplements during pregnancy is as important as eating healthy  when you're pregnant! 

Your body is working hard to grow your baby, so you need more nutrients than usual for your baby to develop strong bones, a healthy brain, and everything else they need.

What necessary supplements are required during pregnancy?

Adequate nutrients, such as protein, iron, calcium, and folic acid, are important for the proper growth of a baby's brain, bones, and organs.

5 most important nutrients during pregnancy:

1. Folic Acid: Folic Acid is a B vitamin that helps prevent neural tube defects in the baby, which can further lead to serious birth defects of the brain and spine. Amount of folic acid you need during this period:

Before pregnancy: 400 mcg (micrograms) per day.

During pregnancy and when breastfeeding, 600 mcg (micrograms) per day.

Consuming this much folic acid is not possible only with food, and so folic acid is prescribed by the doctors.

   2. Iron:  Iron is essential for the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to both you and your baby. It is recommended that a pregnant          woman should consume atleast 27 mg (milligrams) of iron a day.

Reaching this amount alone with food is not possible and hence supplements are prescribed by the doctors.

   3. Calcium: Calcium is a crucial nutrient during pregnancy as it can reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia, a serious medical condition that causes a sudden increase in the blood pressure. Calcium also helps in building up the baby's bones and teeth. Requirement of calcium are as follows:

     a. Pregnant adults: 1,000 mg (milligrams) of calcium in a day

     b. Pregnant teenagers (ages 14-18): 1,300 mg of calcium in a day.

Consuming this much calcium is not possible only with food intake, and so calcium tablets are prescribed by the doctors.

   4. Vitamin D: Vitamin D, a fat soluble vitamin is essential, as it helps absorb calcium in your body which further enhances building of the baby's bones and teeth. All pregnant women should get 600 IU (international units) of vitamin D per day.

   5. Water: Getting enough fluids is also one special nutritional concern during pregnancy. During pregnancy, your body needs much more water to stay hydrated and support the life inside you. So it becomes really important to drink enough fluids every day.

Just remember, taking too many supplements can sometimes have negative impact. It is important to consult your doctor to discuss your specific nutritional needs so that they can recommend any supplements as per your personalized needs.

Source:-1. https://www.nutrition.gov/topics/whats-food 

               2. https://www.nutrition.gov/topics/whats-food/proteins