List of Vitamins You will Need During Pregnancy: Essential Nutrient for a Healthy Journey

By Perdays Team

A fat-soluble vitamin, vitamin D supports healthy bone growth and preservation by regulating the body’s absorption of calcium and phosphorus. It is essential for supporting cell proliferation, muscular contraction, and the immunological system. Despite being a natural source of vitamin D, sunlight exposure alone might make it difficult to reach adequate levels, particularly for people who live in areas with little sunshine or in the winter. As a result, during pregnancy, food sources and supplements may be crucial.

As pregnancy evolves, the need for vitamin D increases and becomes essential for the growth of the baby’s bones and teeth. Additionally, it helps the mother’s bones remain healthy and offers some defence against diseases like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.
In Fact, vitamin D is super important for absorbing other essential nutrients, like calcium, which is a must-have for the baby’s bones to grow strong and healthy.

Prenatal care recommendations suggest that women should take prenatal supplements containing this essential ingredient to ensure they get enough vitamin D during pregnancy. Prenatal supplement products are usually specifically designed for expectant mothers and include the recommended daily dose of vitamin D along with other important nutrients for a healthy pregnancy.

Rest assured, you are free to add more sources of vitamin D to your diet and lifestyle in addition to prenatal vitamins. Foods fortified with vitamin D such as dairy products and cereals can be helpful to boost your intake. Natural food sources include fatty fish like salmon and mackerel, and of course, sunshine is an excellent way to obtain vitamin D. However, it can be challenging to acquire enough vitamin D from diet alone, so it’s important to think about supplements as well.

It is crucial to follow the dosage recommendations given by healthcare specialists because excessive vitamin D use might have negative effects. The best course of action if you have questions regarding vitamin D levels or supplementation is to speak with your healthcare professional, who can offer you individualised guidance based on your unique requirements.

Besides vitamin D, here’s a list of other crucial nutrients to support a healthy pregnancy:

• Folinic Acid or MTHF (Activated Folate): Essential for early neural tube development and birth defect prevention. It is important to highlight the significance of folate, particularly in its activated forms, which are already in their active state and readily usable by the body.
• Iron: Necessary for the production of red blood cells to support oxygen delivery to the baby and prevent iron deficiency anaemia in the mother.
• Calcium: Essential for the development of the baby’s bones and teeth and for maintaining the mother’s bone health.
• Vitamin C: Helps with the absorption of iron and supports the immune system.
• Beta Carotene (precursor to Vitamin A): Important for the baby’s vision, immune system, and cell development. (Excessive intake of pure vitamin A should be avoided during pregnancy, as it can be harmful.)
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Supports the baby’s brain and eye development. It can be obtained from fatty fish or omega-3 supplements.
• B Vitamins: Essential for general pregnancy health and foetal development.

Because they help you create energy on those lazy days of pregnancy! They play a crucial role in metabolising carbs, proteins, and lipids (yes, those delicious pastas, avocados, and chicken dishes you’ve been enjoying lately). B vitamins assist your body to convert foods into energy, so an adequate supply is essential to meet the needs of the mother and that of the developing baby.

Vitamins B1, B2, and B3 are particularly important for maintaining a healthy nervous system and promoting energy production (very necessary in pregnancy). So ensure a rich intake of all the B vitamins as they are essential for cellular energy and a vibrant nervous system – good news!

Vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid, and B7, which is commonly referred to as biotin, play a role in metabolising fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. They contribute to the development of healthy skin, hair, and nails, which can be influenced by hormonal changes during pregnancy (you know, that pregnant glow). Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, is vital for brain development and the production of neurotransmitters, which help neurons communicate with each other. It also aids in red blood cell production and supports the immune system. Folate, known as vitamin B9, is crucial while trying to conceive. It is especially important during the first 28 days of pregnancy since it is essential for DNA synthesis and cell division. Sufficient folate consumption is crucial to prevent neural tube abnormalities and supports a baby’s brain and spinal cord to develop normally. To ensure appropriate folate levels during pregnancy, it is advised to take activated forms of folate, such as folinic acid and MTHF (activated folate).

The maintenance of a healthy neurological system and the generation of red blood cells depend on vitamin B12 (cobalamin), therefore a vital component of healthy pregnancy. Additionally, it significantly affects the formation of DNA and the development of the baby’s nervous system.

vitamin supplementation during pregnancy is widely considered essential, and vitamins D and B are critical for promoting healthy bone growth and immune system function as well as cellular energy production enabling hundreds of functions in the body. Although exposure to sunlight is a natural way to obtain vitamin D, the increased demands of pregnancy means that food sources and supplementation is even more crucial. A sufficient intake of vitamin D is necessary for the development of the baby’s bones and teeth as well as the maintenance of the mother’s bone health. Additionally, enough levels of natural folate, iron, calcium, vitamin C, beta-carotene (or vitamin A in moderation), omega-3 fatty acids, and numerous B vitamins are necessary for a healthy pregnancy. B vitamins in particular are essential for generating energy, maintaining a healthy nervous system, and promoting the development of your child’s brain.