Pregnant? These supplements are important!
If there's one moment in your life when you prioritise your health, it's when you want to become or are becoming a mother. Before, during, and after pregnancy, you want to give your body only the very best, and you're likely to be extra critical of what you consume. That's great! Your body is busy building a new human being and could use some extra support. In this blog, we share the essential supplements you need before, during, and after pregnancy.
Healthy Nutrition and Supplements During Pregnancy
You might wonder if you still need additional supplements if you already eat healthily. A healthy, varied diet is always the foundation, but with the increased needs of your body and your growing baby, it can be challenging to meet all requirements through food alone. By using the right supplements as an addition, you can ensure your body gets what it needs during this special life phase.
When to Start Taking Supplements During Pregnancy?
The moment you find out you're pregnant is often when you start looking for the best quality supplements to give your body everything it needs during pregnancy. But did you know it's even better to start earlier? This can also aid in becoming pregnant. So, if you have a desire to have children and want to actively pursue it, that's a good time to upgrade your vitamin routine. Also, don't stop immediately once your baby is born; as long as you're breastfeeding and your body is recovering from childbirth, you can use some extra support. No hair loss for you!
Folic Acid and Pregnancy
Folic acid is by far the best-known and most important supplement for pregnant women. Folic acid and folate are often used interchangeably, but there's a significant difference. Folate is the active, biological form, while folic acid is the synthetic form commonly used in supplements. Pay attention to what you buy and choose a supplement with folate, as your body recognises and absorbs it better. Want to know more? Read more here about the difference between folic acid and folate.
Folic acid or folate is crucial for the early development of your baby, so it's important to start using it from the moment you have an active desire to conceive. Good to know: folic acid works together with vitamin B12, which is important for blood formation and energy production. So, choose a supplement that contains both folic acid or folate and vitamin B12.
Vitamin D During Pregnancy
Also important during pregnancy is the sunshine vitamin; vitamin D. Our bodies produce vitamin D with the help of sunlight, but this is not always sufficient in the Netherlands. Vitamin D contributes to the formation of cells and tissues, plays a role in bone formation, and helps maintain a good immune system. The Health Council advises pregnant women to take 10 mcg of vitamin D per day.
Want to know more about Vitamin D? Read more in our knowledge base.
The Importance of Fish Oil During Pregnancy
In particular, the omega 3 fatty acid DHA is important for the development of the brain and vision in unborn babies. Ensure you eat fatty fish at least twice a week or, if this is not possible, supplement with a fish oil supplement. The positive effect is achieved with a minimum daily intake of 250mg DHA.
Multivitamins for Pregnant Women
Especially during the first trimester, when the hormone progesterone is present in abundance and is still produced by the corpus luteum in the ovaries rather than the placenta. A high concentration of the hormone progesterone and the presence of the Human Chorionic Gonadotropin hormone, better known as HCG, puts you and your pregnant body to the test. A multivitamin specially for pregnant women can support the intake of essential nutrients during this phase.
But how does a multivitamin for pregnant women differ from a more general multivitamin? The difference mainly lies in the composition of the ingredients. We highlight the main differences:
- Vitamin B12: in many multivitamins for pregnant women, you'll see that the dosage of vitamin B12 is higher. This is beneficial because during pregnancy you use more vitamin B12, which is indispensable for DNA synthesis, tissue growth, and development.
- Vitamin A: vitamin A is a vitamin that pregnant women are particularly cautious about, as too much can be harmful. Therefore, many pregnancy multivitamins contain the precursor of vitamin A, beta-carotene. Your body can convert this into vitamin A as needed, ensuring you never have too much vitamin A in your body. Brilliant!
- Folate: you probably saw this coming, but the amount of folic acid, preferably in the active form folate, is higher in a multivitamin for pregnant women. This ensures your folate status is at the right level.
- Vitamin D: also very important is vitamin D. Due to the many benefits of this vitamin, you'll often see it included in a multivitamin for pregnant women.
- Iodine: iodine is a mineral we are increasingly consuming less of, and is therefore often added to products, such as bread or table salt. Since you may not always get enough iodine and it is important for your baby's growth and brain development, it is often included in the multivitamin.
- Iron: another mineral you could use more of during pregnancy, as it reduces the risk of anaemia during pregnancy. Therefore, iron is also found in higher doses in a multivitamin for pregnant women.
- Calcium: calcium during pregnancy reduces the risk of high blood pressure, premature birth, and pre-eclampsia. No wonder you find more of it in a pregnancy multi.
In Conclusion
Healthy, varied nutrition is the best starting point to give your body what it needs if you want to become pregnant, are pregnant, or are in the postnatal phase. Because your body's needs are significantly higher or different than usual, it can be beneficial to use certain supplements as an addition to your diet. Always consult your healthcare provider before using supplements before, during, or after pregnancy.
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