The Best Prenatal Supplements During Pregnancy

Once the pregnancy test shows a positive result, everything changes! Navigating the world of prenatal care can be confusing, but ensuring a healthy pregnancy becomes priority number one. If you want a healthy pregnancy, you may want to consider prenatal supplements. Most people take prenatal vitamins both while trying to conceive and during pregnancy.

The best prenatal supplements during pregnancy

Taking supplements before you become pregnant prepares your body and your hormones for gestation. During pregnancy, it helps ensure that your body has all of the nutrients it needs to carry the baby to full term. Learn more about the best prenatal vitamins for a healthy pregnancy that we recommend below.

1. Fish oil

Fish oil supplements are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. These supplements have anti-inflammatory ingredients and regulate hormones, metabolism, and brain function.

Because it's rich in omega-3 fatty acids, it supports cardiovascular disease. This is essential for pregnant women because moms experience cardiovascular changes throughout their pregnancy.

As a result, they may experience heart rate changes and high blood pressure, also known as gestational hypertension. It typically changes within the first trimester and peaks by the fifth month of pregnancy. Pregnant women typically experience an increase in blood volume and cardiac output.

2. Prenatal vitamin

A prenatal vitamin often contains essential vitamins and minerals that play important roles in maternal and fetal health. A mother’s blood level of vitamins may decrease during pregnancy without taking a vitamin supplement.

Vitamin deficiencies in pregnancy may lead to anemia, depression, and hypertension for the expecting mother. A daily prenatal vitamin may support avoiding the fetus from developing asthma, heart defects, and poor development.

It has key vitamins like folic acid, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D3, B-complex vitamins, calcium, and zinc to ensure that both the pregnant mother and the developing fetus get their nutritional needs met. A good prenatal supplement may also help reduce the complications of pregnancy and minimize the risk of preterm birth.

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3. Iron

Daily iron supplements help with transporting oxygen and enhancing energy. Any healthcare provider will tell you it's common for a pregnant mother to experience fatigue. It takes a lot of energy to help a fetus grow, and in the days of early pregnancy, hormones are all over the place.

Iron deficiency occurs in an estimated 25% to 50% of the world’s population. Its occurrence can depend on aging, pregnancy, heavy menstrual periods, meat consumption, and poor digestive function.

Iron deficiency can lead to anemia. Symptoms of anemia include dizziness, nausea, fatigue, vomiting, and chest pain.

Too much iron supplementation may lead to adverse effects. If the blood’s iron level becomes too high, moms may experience preeclampsia, premature births, and fetal growth restriction.

That's why it's important to contact a healthcare provider or an obstetrician about taking an iron supplement. They may want to monitor your iron levels as you move through the pregnancy to ensure you're at an adequate level.

4. Probiotics

Pregnant women experience hormone changes throughout early pregnancy and as they carry the fetus to full term. Not only does the growth of their future child change their hormone levels, but it also changes their digestive functions and affects their immune system.

With a growing fetus, it's important to ask a healthcare provider about taking probiotics. Poor digestive function may prevent the absorption of key nutrients.

Probiotics may also help support gestational diabetes since they may lower glucose levels. Probiotics also work to potentially reduce inflammation and maintain a healthy immune system. Also, studies show a reduced risk for preeclampsia and obesity with probiotic supplementation.

5. Cal-Mag

The cal-mag prenatal supplement refers to calcium and magnesium. These are key nutrients for pregnant women because they help with the baby's development and health.

It promotes collagen production and the formation of bone tissue for the fetus. It also improves muscle function by regulating muscle contractions.

The fetus will need calcium and magnesium to grow healthy tissues, bones, and muscles.

Advantages and disadvantages of taking supplements during pregnancy

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Final thoughts

Well, there you have it – the vitamin-packed lowdown on supplements during pregnancy. Remember, every pregnancy is unique, just like every snowflake. Keep shining and nourishing both you and your baby. Until next time, stay radiant and healthy!

Source

• Vitamin A and Pregnancy: A Narrative Review
• Physiological Changes in Cardiovascular System during Normal Pregnancy: A Review
• 7 Things To Know About Omega-3 Fatty Acids | NCCIH
• Evidence based recommendations for an optimal prenatal supplement for women in the US: vitamins and related nutrients | Maternal Health, Neonatology and Perinatology
• The Benefits and Risks of Iron Supplementation in Pregnancy and Childhood - PMC
• Minerals in Pregnancy and Their Impact on Child Growth and Development