You are pregnant! Congratulations! If you have been trying for a while, it is likely that you have already started taking folic acid; this is just one of the many pregnancy vitamins that you will need to take for the next nine months.
So, if you haven’t already started to, there is no time like the present to start. The question is what else do you need to take?
Pregnancy vitamins 1: Vitamin D
Vitamin D will help your bones to remain healthy and will also help your baby develop. This is one of the hardest vitamins to get without taking supplements unless you live in a sunny place and you will need to get 10 mg per day.
Vitamin D will also help to regulate the levels of other minerals in your body, like calcium, which will also help your bones and your teeth.
A lack of vitamin D is the cause of soft bones and a disease called rickets. This is becoming an extremely common problem due to children spending so much time on the computer or games console.
It is worth giving your baby the best chance by adding vitamin D to your diet; talk to your doctor or midwife about this.
Pregnancy vitamins 2: Iron
So, technically this is a mineral but it is still essential as part of your baby’s growth. Those who suffer from iron deficiencies may suffer from a condition called anaemia. This will make you feel extremely tired due to a lack of red blood cells in your body.
This is something that you will be able to gain from foods, including red meat and dark green vegetables. It is unlikely that you will need to take iron tablets unless you already do or until a later stage of pregnancy.
You will be tested for your iron count regularly throughout your pregnancy by your doctor or midwife, which is when you will be advised to start taking supplements.
Pregnancy vitamins 3: Vitamin C
Vitamin C will help to boost the immune system and it is the only vitamin that your body can not create itself. You will need to absorb it from food or through multivitamins. Luckily, there are a number of foods that contain vitamin C, including citrus fruits, like lemons and oranges, broccoli and blackcurrants.
Fruit juice will also help you to increase the amount of vitamin C absorbed into your body; juice is often best because your body will absorb liquid easier than solids.
Pregnancy vitamins 4: Calcium
Another mineral on the list but something that is essential in the development of your baby. Calcium is linked to helping bones and teeth grow healthily, which are formed in the early stages of pregnancy. There are low chances that you will need to take supplements because it is easy to get the calcium into your system through food and drink.
The most common option to get calcium is milk, which is also easy for the body to absorb. Other dairy products also include this mineral, along with bread, almonds and leafy vegetables. However, there are some great calcium options that need to be avoided during pregnancy and you should talk to your doctor or midwife about these.
