Pregnancy Vitamins: Your Unborn Child Will Thank You!
Pregnancy Vitamins: Your Unborn Child Will Thank You!
As a responsible mother to be, you are well aware of the importance of pregnancy vitamins during pregnancy. While a well balanced diet, sourced from a wide range of wholesome healthy foods and containing the correct blend of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, fatty acids and folic acid, goes a long way to ensuring the health of your baby, most doctors will still advise the expectant mother to take prenatal vitamins. These supplements do not replace the healthy pregnancy diet, but rather ensure that the mother is receiving enough daily nutrients. Such supplements work best when taken as part of a healthy pregnancy diet.
The most important pregnancy vitamins are folic acid, iron, and calcium. Folic acid is essential for the healthy development of the babys brain and neural tube, more commonly known as the spinal cord. Lack of folic acid can cause spina-bifida, which is simply where the spine has not closed. Excellent sources of folic acid are dark green leafy vegetables, beans, nuts, citrus fruits, and fortified cereals.
Iron helps the mothers and babys blood carry oxygen, and prevents anaemia, low birth weight, and premature delivery. Often, mothers turn anaemic during the last few months of pregnancy as the baby draws his required reserves from the mother. Good sources of iron include meats such as beef and pork, dried fruits, wheat germ, and spinach.
Calcium is essential for the development of the babys teeth and bones, and again, the baby will draw his reserves from the mother is he isn’t receiving it in his nutrients. This can lead to osteoporosis in the mother later in life. Excellent sources of calcium include yogurts, cheese, and milk.
Proteins are very important and aid the body in repairing cells, as well as promoting healthier breast and uterine tissue. Proteins can be sourced in sea foods, meats, poultry, and dairy products.
Vitamin A is also essential for the healthy development of the babys teeth and bones, and can be sourced in liver, milk, eggs, carrots, and potatoes. Care should be taken if eating liver as it’s very high in vitamin A, and too much vitamin A can harm your baby.
Vitamin D helps your body to absorb calcium into the bones, and can be found in fish and milk.
Vitamin C supports the babys growth, and aids tissue repair and healing for the mother. It can be found in citrus fruits, strawberries, brussel sprouts, green beans, and tomatoes.
Vitamins B1 and B2 assist the mothers body in processing carbohydrates, fats, and protein. They also assist in maintaining her energy levels. They can be sourced in meats, poultry, fish, eggs, fortified cereals, nuts, and pasta.
Omega 3 fatty acids are essential for the development of your babys brain, nerve, and eye tissue. These nutrients can be sourced from foods such as salmon, trout, and other cold water fish, as well as dairy products.
Other essential elements include vitamin B5 which regulates the body’s adrenal activity and anti-body production. Vitamin B12 helps maintain your baby’s nerve functions, while vitamin B6 is vital for your foetus’s brain development.
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