Supplements During Pregnancy: What’s Safe and What’s Not

Supplements During Pregnancy: What’s Safe and What’s Not : Pregnancy is a time to pay attention to your health and what your body requires. You might be wondering which vitamins and supplements are safe to use while pregnant and which ones to avoid.

From prenatal vitamins and probiotics to some supplements, there are a lot of things that should be avoided during pregnancy. In this article, we will discuss what is safe and what is not.

What are vitamins and supplements?

Vitamins, minerals, protein, carbs, fat, and fiber are all essential nutrients for optimum health. Vitamins are organic compounds that your body can’t create for itself and are required in small amounts. Apart from vitamin D, which your skin produces in response to sunshine, the majority of the vitamins you require are obtained through food.

Dietary supplements are dietary supplements that contain nutrients that may fill a nutrient shortage (gap) in your diet. Multivitamins, single minerals, fish oil capsules, and herbal supplements are all examples.

Vitamins and mineral supplements that you need to avoid during pregnancy

Vitamin A

Vitamin A, commonly known as retinol, is a fat-soluble vitamin that aids in the maintenance of your skin and vision. However, taking vitamin A supplements while pregnant can result in birth abnormalities. As a result, you should avoid taking any supplements or multivitamins that include extra vitamin A, other than your prenatal vitamin.

Iodine

During pregnancy, iodine is a critical vitamin. It is necessary for the fetus’s healthy development. When taken in excess, however, it might hurt thyroid function. Overdosing on iodine can result in hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Iodine deficiency can also impact a child’s neurodevelopment.

Vitamin E

This vitamin is also essential for the proper functioning of numerous body processes. Furthermore, some critical functions, such as immunity and gene expression, are dependent on it. However, augmenting it with external sources is not a good idea. Such supplementation does not affect the woman or her baby, although it has been reported to increase abdominal pain and prematurely rupture the amniotic sack inside the mother.

Black Cohosh

For several reasons, many people recommend using the black cohosh plant. The majority of them are focused on reducing hot flashes and relieving period cramps. However, black cohosh has been linked to liver damage in humans. Furthermore, in pregnant women, black cohosh has the potential to cause uterine contractions, which could lead to premature labor.

Consult your healthcare provider if you are taking additional vitamin C, vitamin D, or vitamin B6 pills in addition to your prenatal multivitamin. Excessive amounts might be hazardous.

Safe Pregnancy Supplements

Folate

Supplementing with folic acid during pregnancy is highly advised, especially in the early stages. The development of the spinal cord is the main focus of your baby’s growth in the first few weeks. Folic acid has long been thought to play a role in the normal development of the cord. This supplement could also be included with a multivitamin. It’s worth noting that consuming no more than 1200 mcg of folate during pregnancy is deemed safe.

Prenatal Multivitamins

Most doctors all around the world prescribe these nutrients to all mothers. Prenatal multivitamins are beneficial because they ensure that the expectant woman and the fetus get all of the essential nutrients they need to grow well. These are supplements to a well-balanced and healthy diet, and they should never be used as a sole source of nutrition.

Omega 3

Omega 3 is an important fatty acid that is necessary for a healthy pregnancy. There are a variety of supplements that can offer you omega-3 nourishment, but cod liver oil is the most popular and safe. Cod liver oil has been scientifically proven to help in brain development and growth in the prenatal stage, as well as making the kid intelligent in the future. The acids in the oil, such as DHA and EPA, have been shown to help mothers maintain low levels of mental stress and manage post-partum depression.

Other important supplements and vitamins are Vitamin D3, calcium, magnesium, coconut oil, and probiotics. Consult your doctor before consuming any supplement during your pregnancy and take the prescribed dosage only.