Vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, and folic acid are vital for proper fetal growth, development and healthy adult living. To help increase your chances of creating a healthy and nutritious environment for your baby to develop, it is important that you establish a well-balanced diet and exercise routine before you get pregnant.
If you choose to supplement your diet with synthetic nutrients, be sure to keep track of daily amounts that you take, and let your health care provider know! It is possible to overdose on certain vitamins and minerals, which could have adverse effects on you and your growing baby. You should be well educated on what the recommended amounts are for vitamins and minerals during pregnancy.
Vitamin and Mineral Sources
If your diet consists of unprocessed foods, fruits, a colorful variety of vegetables, whole grains, lentils, and plenty of water, then you likely have sufficient vitamins and minerals already in your body. As long as you are eating a well balanced diet, then you need not fear overdosing on nutrients found naturally in foods (some studies have shown symptoms of toxicity after large consumption of animal organs, like liver). However, supplements (synthetic vitamins and minerals) are a different story. They contain higher doses in concentrated form, which can be detrimental if taken in improper amounts. Always let your health care provider know what nutritional supplements you are taking.
Recommendations
Prenatal vitamins consist of a variety of vitamins and minerals. During pregnancy, a woman’s daily intake requirements for certain nutrients, such as folic acid (folate), calcium, and iron will increase. If you are pregnant (or trying to conceive) and considering taking a prenatal vitamin, carefully read the nutritional labels and familiarize yourself with terms like RDA and UL.
- RDA = Recommended Dietary Allowance. The RDA represents the amount of nutrient needed to maintain good health for most people.
- UL = Tolerable Upper Intake Levels. The UL represents the highest amount most people can take without experiencing potentially harmful effects.
Avoid taking several different supplements, but rather take one multivitamin that includes a variety of needed nutrients in one dose. Combining supplements (such as taking a folic acid supplement along with your multivitamin, etc) can raise concerns because you run the risk of overdosing on a particular nutrient. Taking more than twice the RDA of any nutrient should be avoided during pregnancy. If you are taking additional supplements you should be aware of signs and symptoms of overdose.
Educate yourself on the differences between fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in your body. If you ingest more than your body needs, then excess fat-soluble vitamins are stored in your liver and body fat, where toxic side-effects can begin to wreak havoc on you and your baby. Water-soluble vitamins are not stored in your body, but are dissolved in water and excreted by urine on a regular basis. If you ingest an overdose of a water-soluble vitamin, the unneeded quantities will be flushed from your body. However, overdoses can still be dangerous because of potentially irritating effects they can have on your digestive system.
Compiled using information from the following sources:
Natural Standard, http://www.naturalstandard.com/
Jellin JM, Gregory PJ, Batz F, Hitchens, K, et al. Pharmacist’s Letter/Prescriber’s Letter Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. 4th ed. Stockton, CA: Therapeutic Research Faculty; 2002:pg 735, 1274, 1281, 1287 and 1379.
Williams Obstetrics Twenty-Second Ed. Cunningham, F. Gary, et al Ch 8.
American Pregnancy Association, http://www.americanpregnancy.org