It’s strange when you think about it; you pop more pills during pregnancy than you do at any other point in your life. While doctors usually recommend you achieve nutritional wellness through your diet, pregnant women need a little extra boost from dietary supplements. But how do you know which pills to pop? We asked the experts for the supplements every pregnant woman needs.
1. Pick Out a Prenatal: According to Frances Largeman-Roth, RD, author of Feed the Belly: The Pregnant Mom’s Healthy Eating Guide, ‘The earlier you get on a prenatal vitamin, the better, because the nutrients in it are essential to the development of your baby’s spinal cord and nerves.’ Wellness expert Kate Rope points out, ‘Doctors recommend starting a prenatal vitamin as soon as you begin trying to conceive, if possible. But if you haven’t yet, get to the pharmacy now. While prenatal vitamins are available by prescription, there are also many inexpensive options over the counter. Just check the label to make sure that it has 30 milligrams of iron and 600 to 800 micrograms of folic acid.’
2. Focus on Folic Acid: ‘Folic acid is a powerhouse nutrient in pregnancy that has been proven to dramatically reduce the risk of serious birth defects and helps with the normal development of all the cells in the body,’ says Rope. ‘Women who are at greater risk for birth defects, for instance those taking anti-seizure medications, will need a prescription for a prenatal with a higher amount of folic acid.’
3. Manage Morning Sickness: Carl P. Weiner, MD, professor and chair of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Kansas City and co-author of The Complete Guide to Medications During Pregnancy and Breast-feeding, recommends taking your prenatal vitamins at night so that you don’t lose it to morning sickness. He also advises talking with your doctor about anti-nausea medication if you can’t keep much food down.
4. Become an Iron woman: ‘The amount of blood coursing through your body increases by 40% during pregnancy, and you need more iron to produce it,’ Rope details. ‘But half of pregnant women are not getting enough, which can lead to anaemia…Symptoms of anaemia include pale skin, an irregular heart rate, cold hands and feet, and dizziness. Plus, it will make you tired. And, let’s face it, there’s not a pregnant woman on the planet who needs to feel any more tired than she already does. Make sure your prenatal vitamin contains at least 30 milligrams of iron, and then shoot for another 12 or so in your diet.’ If not for you, do it for your baby. Largeman-Roth cautions, ‘Severe anaemia can cause preterm birth and low birth weight.’
5. Drink Water: OK, this hasn’t got a lot to do with the pills you take during pregnancy, but ask you’re probably swigging them down with water, we thought we’d probably get away with it. Why? ‘Staying hydrated is huge,’ Largeman-Roth asserts. ‘It prevents constipation and it can prevent preterm contractions…If you find you’re getting really bored with just water, add lemon, cucumber, or herbs such as mint or basil to make it more appetizing. Teas, juices, and even fruits and vegetables can also help you get to your goal.’ Rope details, ‘The Institute of Medicine recommends that pregnant women drink 10 cups (2.4 liters) of water daily.’ Sound like too much of a struggle? Rope recommends ‘buying a pretty glass to keep at your desk, or, if you’re driving around all day, a water bottle you really like. And make sure it is easy to clean.’