Nutritional needs are perhaps one of the greatest needs that pregnant women require. With a new life developing in the womb, a lot of nutrients are needed both for the development of the baby and the health of the mother.
Pregnancy is a long process that requires different types of vital nutrients among them vitamins. These vitamins for pregnancy play a key role in growth and development therefore should be taken in moderate amounts throughout the nine months.
Some of the vital vitamins for pregnancy
 Vitamin A: This vitamin is found in proteins and plays a huge role in baby growth and development of brain cells. It is important to check the nutritional value of foods consumed to avoid excess intake.
Vitamin B6: Lack of this vitamin has for long been associated to slow development of the nervous system in babies and also a major cause of morning sickness during pregnancy. These complications can be avoided by taking the required amounts of the vitamin. There are some natural vitamins for pregnancy supplements that you can use as alternatives.
Vitamin B9: A good intake of this vitamin ensures full development of the spinal cord in developing babies, reduces birth defects and the risk of cancer development in the first 6 years of life.
Calcium and phosphorous: Eating foods rich in calcium like kale, milk and yoghurt is recommended as term infants take up to 30 grams of calcium from their mothers. It is important for strong teeth and bones. Phosphorous is one of the vitamins that helps eliminate gene deficiencies in babies and plays a vital role in genetic development.
Folic acid: This is one of the most important vitamins that a developing baby needs from the beginning of conception up to the end of the first trimester.
These crucial vitamins for pregnancy have been proven to reduce the risks of physical complications like circulatory and neurological problems that babies can face during pregnancy or after birth.
Iron: This is needed for the development of red blood cells in the baby to facilitate proper oxygen delivery. Insufficient iron leads to anemia and nausea in pregnant women. Additional supplements are especially important as large quantities are needed every day for proper growth and development of the baby and the mother’s health too.
Omega-3 acids: These have been proven to reduce some ailments and complications like nerve and vision problems during the developing phase in the womb. They are also very important in the development of brain cells.
Zinc: Though this may be one of the most overlooked nutrients, proper intake of Zinc helps reduce the risk of birth complications, miscarriages, weight problems and pre-term births. This should go hand in hand with intake of iron.
Vitamin supplements
Due to the changing lifestyles of today’s world, modern women are finding it harder or have little time to eat the proper nutritious foods containing vitamins needed during pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins have provided a viable solution for such women. These vitamins for pregnancy provide supplementary nutrients to the body. However, caution should be taken when using these nutritional supplements as not all are natural and may be posing risks to the developing baby in the womb. They are strictly not substitutes to healthy foods but dietary supplements.
