Pregnant women are in dire need of vitamins. After all, the baby takes everything that he needs for growth and development from the mother's body. There are vitamins, deficiency or excess of which can harm the child himself. Therefore, the question of choosing vitamins is acute for expectant mothers.
Benefit or harm?
Much has been written and said about the benefits of vitamins for expectant mothers. It is clear that our distant ancestors did not have vitamins in capsules, and this in no way prevented them from giving birth to normal children. But today, the environmental conditions are different, women eat foods that are not related to natural ones, even milk in a store may turn out to be powdered, and cheese - a cheese product. In such a situation, it is quite natural that with food a woman will not be able to gain the required amount of vitamins and minerals to carry a pregnancy. Additional substances are needed.
The initial state of health is different for everyone, social and living conditions for women are different, and therefore the need for vitamins should be determined individually. In other words, you shouldn't just buy a box of vitamins based on reviews from the Internet. The correct selection of a vitamin preparation implies a medical consultation, and only after the doctor has the results of a biochemical analysis of the patient's blood in his hands.
This analysis shows the content of certain vitamins and minerals in the blood of a particular woman, which will allow the doctor to understand which vitamins she needs and which ones need to be added. This allows you to avoid hypervitaminosis, because an excess of calcium is dangerous for the kidneys of the expectant mother, and an excess of vitamin A during embryogenesis may well cause the development of defects.
Women preparing for motherhood who suffer from epilepsy or who are taking anticonvulsants for any other reason are recommended to use drugs rich in amino acids. Ladies who, due to duty or due to life circumstances, come into contact with harmful chemical compounds and substances, including mercury and lead, are prescribed overtime doses of vitamins C and E.
There is almost always a need to take multivitamin preparations for expectant mothers who are carrying twins or triplets, women with HIV infection. If a woman drinks or smokes before pregnancy (and even during a special situation), additional doses of B vitamins are recommended for women with high blood pressure in the first trimester, additional calcium supplements are prescribed, and for vegetarians, if common sense does not prevail and the pregnant woman does not listen to the recommendations to eat well, large doses of B vitamins, iron and calcium are prescribed.
Uncontrolled intake of vitamins, primarily fat-soluble vitamins, is quite dangerous. Vitamin A, as already mentioned, can cause abnormalities in the development of a child. Selenium, if too much, does the same. Too much zinc consumed by the expectant mother can lead to a weakening of the immune system, and exceeding the fluoride norms leads to darkening of the tooth enamel and the formation of ugly stains.
To avoid negative consequences, it is better to discuss the choice of vitamins with your doctor in advance.
The beginning of pregnancy - what substances are needed?
If the doctor does not mind that you take vitamins, you should more carefully evaluate the composition of this or that drug. There are substances, the need for which is the highest in the first third of the gestation period. To understand why, you need to have a good idea of what exactly happens to a woman and her baby in the first trimester. It is during this period that the entire period of organogenesis passes, when all internal organs and systems, without exception, are formed from the embryonic petals. Any negative factors can lead to pathologies, developmental anomalies of the baby.
But the amount of vitamins consumed by the expectant mother should be limited by the daily requirement, which has grown compared to the non-pregnant state (calcium, for example, needs one and a half times more, and zinc - by 30%). In order to better understand the composition indicated on the multivitamin packaging, let's look at the effect and recommended dosages of the main substances.
Vitamin B6 - participates in the synthesis of amino acids, which are the basis of proteins. Proteins are the main building blocks for an actively developing child's body. It will also be beneficial for the mother, because pyridoxine regulates nervous processes and reduces irritability and aggression. Due to the deficiency of such a substance, women often develop early toxicosis, insomnia is observed. Compliance with the daily norm will help the brain and nervous system of the fetus develop as correctly as possible. The norm per day is 2.5 mg.
- Folic acid - takes an active part in the formation of fetal tissues, is needed to form its neural tube, from which the brain and spinal cord later develop. Vitamin B9 is also needed by the mother - it promotes faster cellular metabolism and interchange, which is very important with increased metabolism at the beginning of the gestation period. The substance is involved in the growth of placental tissues. Chronic need for folic acid often causes spontaneous abortion, gross anomalies in the neural tube device (anencephaly - absence of the brain, spinal canal cleft, etc.). The optimal dose per day is 0.8-1 mg per day.
- Vitamin E - important for the metabolism of both the mother and the fetus. It protects both child and maternal organisms from toxins, being an antioxidant. If the baby is born prematurely, a normal amount of vitamin E will reduce the likelihood of blindness and hemolytic anemia. Tocopherol is needed for the formation and functioning of the fetal heart, but its excess can lead to heart defects. Therefore, it is important to adhere to the dosage - no more than 10-13 IU.
If a woman takes 15 IU in the first and second months of pregnancy, as some experts recommend, there will be a 9 times higher probability of abnormalities in the work and structure of the fetal heart (confirmed by research).
Calcium - participates in hematopoiesis and bone formation. It is believed that this element is needed mainly in the second and third trimester. For bone growth and mineralization - yes. But in the first trimester, calcium is actively involved in the formation of the nervous system, heart and muscles. The daily requirement is 1000-1200 mg.
- Iron - binding with hemoglobin, it provides saturation of organs and tissues with oxygen. With anemia, there is not enough oxygen for both the mother and the baby. Every day in the first trimester, a woman needs 30-60 mg.
- Iodine - participates in the production of hormones. Already in the first trimester, the child begins to produce its own hormones, then the need for zinc increases. It is important for the formation and development of the baby's nervous system. In the very early stages, it helps to prevent anomalies and malformations, the formation of cretinism and other forms of mental disabilities. The daily requirement is 200 mcg.
- Zinc - participates in the growth of the fetus. The amount of zinc in the body of a pregnant woman depends on the weight of the baby. Also, zinc is needed so that childbirth is smoother, not delayed. The daily rate is 15-20 mg.
Other vitamins: vitamin D - 400 IU per day, vitamin K - 1 mg per day, vitamin A (retinol) - no more than 3000 IU per day, vitamin C - 60 mg per day.
It is desirable that the expectant mother in the first trimester receive all the substances listed above.
Which is better to take: a review of popular drugs
Only a doctor can accurately answer this question, but we have compiled a list of the most popular drugs among Russian women, discuss which, after a brief introduction, a woman can with her attending physician.
"Elevit Pronatal"
The drug is quite balanced, extended, vitamin and mineral components are presented in the required daily amount, taking into account pregnancy. There are a lot of advantages, but there are also disadvantages. So, there is no iodine in the composition, so it is advisable to take it separately, the drug "Yodomarin" is suitable. It is believed that the complex reduces the manifestations of toxicosis.
Vitrum prenatal
In terms of mineral composition, the complex has no analogues, but the amount of vitamins leaves much to be desired. According to women's reviews, pills often cause allergic reactions, although there are many positive reviews.
"Alphabet Mom"
Inexpensive, but quite specific drug, which is not always convenient to use. The composition does not cause serious criticism. But the dosage of each pill does not contain the daily requirement for vitamins and minerals, you have to take pills 4 times a day, which is not always convenient - the expectant mother is busy, she can forget.
"Materna"
It is not suitable for everyone, but mainly for those who lack iodine and B vitamins. In the complex, this sector of substances is higher. According to reviews, it often causes indigestion, rashes and other forms of allergies.
"Complivit Mom"
An inexpensive complex, balanced, but the content of vitamin D, E is lower than in similar complexes. If the first trimester falls in the summer or spring, you can get by with what you have, but in winter and autumn it is better to opt for another drug or add vitamin D separately to it.
"Pregnavit"
A very affordable drug that does not require significant costs. But the composition leaves much to be desired. It contains few minerals and iodine. If the decision is made to take it, it is worth taking separately preparations of iodine, calcium and iron.
Femibion NATALCARE
Femibion NATALCARE is an Austrian drug of the middle price category. Manufacturers have replaced folic acid with metafoline, a compound that is better absorbed. The drug has not yet received wide distribution and fame in Russia, but is already gaining popularity, since no allergic reactions or other side effects have been identified.
How to take (tips and tricks)
Taking vitamins in the first trimester of pregnancy requires careful attention from a woman. Just like that (when and how it is necessary) they do not drink vitamins. At best, they will not be useful, at worst, they will also harm. There are doctors who advocate the separate intake of vitamins, and they are largely right, because multivitamin complexes do not take into account some important points.
- Calcium and iron compete together for absorption. If they enter the body at the same time, calcium will win, since it will reduce the absorption of iron by almost 2 times. Therefore, it is advisable to take them separately or choose a preparation where the iron content will be greater than the calcium content.
- Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and cyanocobalamin interact poorly. Under the influence of ascorbic acid, vitamin B12 is oxidized by almost a third of its contents. Compounds are obtained that are not the most useful for the body of the expectant mother.
- Magnesium interferes with iron, and zinc interferes with chromium. Calcium cannot be assimilated without vitamin D3, and in order for the body to absorb vitamin B12 well, calcium is needed.
Allergy most often develops when taking medications, where the doses of vitamins B1 and B12 are simultaneously increased. Vitamin complexes for women "in an interesting position" have a cumulative effect. If the pregnancy is planned, you should start taking them in advance, a couple of months before conception. Then, by the time the fetal organs and systems begin to form, enough folic acid and iodine will accumulate in the body of the expectant mother.
Vitamins are not taken on an empty stomach, it is best to drink them with meals. Two multivitamins at once is an overkill. Do not drink vitamins with milk, strong tea. It is best to drink it with ordinary drinking water at room temperature. If a rash, itching, unpleasant symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract appear, taking vitamins should be discontinued and a doctor should be consulted for the appointment of another drug.
Important! If a woman takes multivitamins in the first trimester of pregnancy, this does not in the least relieve her from the need to compose the correct diet and eat vegetables, fruits, dairy products, and herbs.
I especially want to say about meat and fish. These foods are a source of protein that a child now needs to form organs.
For the doctor's recommendations on taking vitamins to a woman in the 1st trimester of pregnancy, see the following video.
