What Vitamins to Take Before Getting Pregnant?
Is it important to take prenatal vitamins before pregnancy? You really need vitamins when planning a pregnancy. Prenatal complexes help to replenish necessary vitamins and macro — and micronutrients. Vitamin supplements will allow you to conceive and carry a healthy baby.
A pregnant woman needs many vitamins during the first weeks of her pregnancy. If at the beginning of pregnancy marathon there is a deficiency in vitamins, you won’t be able to replenish them later. So it’s better to think in advance.
To determine, which prenatal vitamin complex to take, consult your gynecologist. It is very important to prevent deficiency of minerals and vitamins. Also don’t forget that fresh greens, fruit and vegetables contain natural vitamins, which are primarily required by the body. It’ll be also useful for your man to take vitamins and minerals prior to planned pregnancy.
What vitamins to take before pregnancy?
Folic acid is useful for rapid cell growth. Even a small deficiency of this vitamin can cause severe malformations of the fetus such as, for example, underdevelopment or absence of brain. Folic acid is also important for normal development of placenta. Its deficiency can cause, а miscarriage.
You should start taking folic acid 1−3 months before pregnancy to create a stock of this vitamin. The future father also needs to take folic acid for healthier sperm.
Retinol or vitamin A is highly essential for breast feeding. Be careful! Excessive amounts of the vitamin can cause pregnancy complications. You should take this vitamin but stop taking it 6 months before getting pregnant.
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) helps to fight disease-causing bacteria, neutralizes toxins and reduces inflammation. In addition, it helps to assimilate iron, which helps to prevent anemia.
Vitamin E (tocopherol) boosts the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to cells, stabilizes cell membranes and has anti-inflammatory effect. Its deficiency can lead to miscarriages in the first trimester, so you should take this vitamin before getting pregnant.
Vitamin B6 is involved in the synthesis of proteins, which are the main building material for the future baby. It also helps a woman keep her emotional equilibrium during the first trimester.
A pregnant woman will need vitamin D for normal skeleton development and teeth formation in the fetus.
Do I really need to take vitamin complexes?
Obstetricians argue whether a woman who is planning to conceive a child needs to take vitamin complexes. Some doctors believe that correct and balanced nutrition is sufficient. If you don’t want to take special vitamin supplements, try to eat healthy food. Learn what to eat before pregnancy to get enough vitamins.
Folic acid | liver, citrus fruits, beans, pumpkin, tomatoes and watermelons. |
Retinol or vitamin A | butter, fish oils, cheese and liver, green, yellow and red vegetables and fruit (rose hip, apricot, black currant, sea buckthorn, dill). |
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) | citruses, black currant, cabbage and potatoes. |
Vitamin E | vegetable oils |
Vitamin D | seafood, mushrooms, butter and milk. |
Vitamin B6 | yeast, liver, sprouted wheat, bran and raw grain, potato molasses, bananas, pork, cheese, egg yolk, cabbage, carrots |