Pregnancy Vitamins & Prenatal Supplements
Eating well is one of the best things you can do during pregnancy, it will help in getting enough nutrients to support your health and your fetus’s health.
Vitamins Needed for Pregnancy: Your Friendly Micronutrients
Eating well is one of the best things you can do during pregnancy, it will help in getting enough nutrients to support your health and your fetus’s health.1 Micronutrients which refer to vitamins and minerals, are key to important bodily functions and key to help infants and children grow, learn, and thrive.2 Pregnant woman need more of folic acid, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, choline, B vitamins, and vitamin C.2,3 Here is a list of vitamins needed for pregnancy:
|
Vitamin/Mineral |
Recommended daily amount |
Role in your body and your fetus’s body |
Food and other sources |
|
Iron |
27mg |
• Make extra blood needed by you and fetus • Growth and development of fetus’s brain • Prevention of low birth weight, anemia, and premature delivery |
• Beef • Beans • Spinach • Dried fruits • Oatmeal or grains fortified with iron |
|
Zinc |
11mg |
• Immunity • Resistance to infection • Proper growth and development of fetus nervous system |
• Red meats • Poultry • Beans • Nuts • Whole grains • Fortified cereals • Dairy products |
|
Calcium |
1000mg |
• Reduce risk of Pre-eclampsia (medical condition where pregnant woman experiences a sudden increase in their blood pressure) • Build fetus strong bones and teeth |
• Dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt • Broccoli • Fortified foods (cereals, breads, and juices) • Almonds and sesame seeds • Sardines • Dark green leafy vegetables |
|
Vitamin D |
15mcg |
• Helps calcium in building fetus’s strong and healthy bones and teeth • Essential for muscle and nerve functions, • Helps the immune system fight off bacteria and viruses, • Healthy eyesight and skin |
• Sun exposure • Fortified milk and breakfast cereals • Egg yolks • Fatty fish such as salmon and sardines |
|
Vitamin A |
770mcg |
• Fetus’s growth of bones and teeth • Formation of healthy eyesight, skin, • Immune functions |
• Milk • Eggs • Carrots • Spinach • Green and yellow vegetables • Broccoli • Potatoes • Pumpkins • Yellow fruits • Cantaloupe |
|
Choline |
450mg |
Development of fetus’s brain and spinal cord |
• Chicken • Beef • Eggs • Milk • Soy products • Peanuts |
|
Vitamin C |
85mg |
• Protects tissues from damage • Helps body absorb iron • Building a healthy immune system • Healthy gums, teeth, and bones. |
• Citrus fruits and juices • Strawberries • Papaya • Broccoli • Bell pepper • Potatoes • Tomatoes |
|
Thiamin(B1) |
1.4mg |
• Raises levels of energy • Regulates the nervous system |
• Whole grains • Fortified cereals • Eggs • Rice • Pasta • Berries • Nuts • Legumes • Pork |
|
Riboflavin(B2) |
1.4mg |
• Maintains energy, good eyesight, healthy skin |
• Meats • Poultry • Fish • Dairy products • Fortified cereals • Eggs |
|
Niacin(B3) |
18mg |
• Healthy skin, nerves, and digestion |
• High-protein foods • Fortified cereals and bread • Meats • Fish • Milk • Eggs • Peanuts |
|
Vitamin B6 |
1.9mg |
• Formation of red blood cells • Reducing morning sickness |
• Chicken • Fish • Eggs • Soybeans • Carrots • Cabbage • Cantaloupe • Peas • Spinach • Sunflower seeds • Bananas • Beans • Broccoli • Brown rice • Oats • Bran • Peanuts and walnuts |
|
Vitamin B12 |
2.6mcg |
• Important factor in DNA synthesis • Prevent fetus from neural tube defects (NTDs) |
• Fish • Beef • Pork • Eggs • Dairy • Poultry |
Other than the vitamins and minerals listed, Omega 3 and lutein are essential during pregnancy.
Omega 3 is an essential fatty acid that the body doesn’t produce which should be taken from different food sources such as salmon and sardines or even as a food supplement. 300 mg of DHA is needed daily for pregnant woman as it is the building block of the fetal brain, eyes, and nervous system4. It also helps in preventing perinatal depression and supporting healthy postpartum mood and well-being for moms. 4,5
Lutein is a carotenoid that acts as an antioxidant. It is present in leafy greens like kale and romaine lettuce, broccoli, zucchini, corn, carrots, okra, celery, oranges, tomatoes, melons, grapefruit, beet, and asparagus. No daily recommendation has been set yet by global organization, however it was found to be beneficial in pregnancy by supporting healthy development of the retina and brain of the baby6 and having an association with better offspring verbal intelligence and behavior regulation ability in mid-childhood.7
Make healthy balanced eating from all the food groups as your goal and best mate during your pregnancy as it will help you in getting all the necessary nutrients. Consult with your doctor if you need to take any vitamin supplement if you feel you are missing on any essential vitamin from any food source.
References:
1. Nutrition During Pregnancy | ACOG
2. MicronutrientFactsheet_v10_April2020.pdf (cdc.gov)
3. Nutrition Recommendations in Pregnancy and Lactation (nih.gov)
4. https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-health-wellness/omega-3-fatty-acids-faqs/