days and many of them are talking about the benefits of
using them before getting pregnant. The reasoning is that
prenatal vitamins may help prevent some birth defects.
Prenatal vitamins, in my opinion, should probably become
part of the diet plan for expecting mothers. Pregnancy
greatly increases the need for some nutrients and it can be
hard to meet these needs through diet alone. Iron and folic
acid are two such nutrients. Pregnancy is a time when both
mother and baby are growing quickly. This rapid growth
increases the demand for all nutrients, and the development
of the baby and placenta are directly influenced by the
mother's nutritional status. Doctors will often prescribe a
prenatal vitamin to a pregnant patient, but some evidence
suggests that vitamins are beneficial for women who are
planning to conceive. The consistent use of prenatal
vitamins during pregnancy and breastfeeding is advisable to
reduce or avert the chances of nutrition deficiencies.
Most of the prenatal vitamins currently available are meant
to make-up for possible nutritional failings. They almost
always include such nutrients as folic acid, calcium, and
iron. These nutrients lessen the likelihood of birth defects
caused by nutritional deficiencies.
IMPORTANT NUTRIENTS FOR MOTHER AND CHILD:
DHA
DHA is a fatty acid and is necessary for a baby's brain
development. It is needed by the child from the very
earliest stages of pregnancy throughout the time of
breastfeeding. DHA belongs to the omega -3 family of fatty
acids and is essential, especially in pregnancy.
IRON
The mineral iron is drawn upon heavily by the baby in the
third trimester of pregnancy; it draws its supply from the
stored supply of the mother. Iron is very important, and
will be found in most prenatal vitamins.
FOLIC ACID
Folic acid is a must during pregnancy. It is plentiful in
dark leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, and whole grains,
among other foods. It cuts the risk of birth defects in
babies, and is almost always found in prenatal vitamins.
Folic acid has been proven crucial for a baby's neural tube
development, especially during the first trimester when
women are most likely to suffer from nausea and vomiting. In
fact, some recommend women should start taking about 400
micrograms of folate at least a month before they start
trying to conceive.
CALCIUM
Calcium is extremely important as well as essential to both
the mother and child in pregnancy. Calcium and magnesium
help protect the mother's bones during this time when the
demands of both her body as well as the baby's body for
these nutrients must be met. A good prenatal vitamin will
contain calcium, but the mother must also eat a well
balanced diet to obtain calcium as well.
With regard to prenatal vitamins, they are not all created
equal. Most of them try and pack as much as possible into
their vitamins, but they must be careful not to promote
excess of what may amount to be toxic levels of fat soluble
vitamins...for instance Vitamin A instead of beta-carotene,
vitamin A's precursor. The best prenatal needs to provide
what mother and child needs, at just the right amounts, as
well as avoiding amounts that avoid toxicity.
Keith Henry is a medical missionary herbalist,and Naturopatheic Doctor Candidate. He is the Director of Phase 3 Ministries Inc., based in Orlando, FL. Check out
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