Stocking Your Medicine Cabinet? Here Are The Prenatal Vitamins All Pregnant Women Need to Take

Stocking Your Medicine Cabinet? Here Are The Prenatal Vitamins All Pregnant Women Need to Take

Congratulations, you eat kale. But you still need to take prenatal vitamins.

You could be the healthiest person alive: runner of multiple miles a day, eater of green smoothies galore, and the should-be poster woman for Fitbit. But let me tell you right now, growing a human is a whole different ball game. So probiotics and hours spent in yoga aside, every pregnant person can benefit from a vitamin boost.

All in the business of growing and birthing babies agree that the holy trinity of prenatal care include the following vitamins: calcium, iron, and folic acid (or folate). Below, HelloFlo details why these three vitamins are so crucial to promoting Baby’s health and which other supplements mamas-to-be should be taking in consideration (of course, with the consultation of a medical professional).

Calcium

If you grew up in the 90s, the word “calcium” will likely forever be associated with those Kraft cheese singles commercials. “Calcium builds strong bones!” And while it’s overplayed and a bit cliché, it’s true that calcium is necessary in the aiding of building up the strength of your little one’s bones. It also promotes healthy blood pressure, for both mother and tyke.

Iron

Start cooking some spinach into those morning eggs! Iron is essential in the delivering of oxygen to Baby, as it helps the formation of hemoglobin. It also helps make sure mom’s levels don’t drop too low, which could result in anemia during pregnancy.

Folic Acid (Folate)

Folic acid is an imperative vitamin during pregnancy because it develops the neural tube of your baby’s brain and spinal cord. The neural tube is the crucial part of the embryo where the spine and brain develop and if not properly taken care of, could cause serious birth defects such as spina bifida or anencephaly.

Vitamin D

A lack of vitamin D is associated with underdeveloped bone growth, fractures, or rickets in babies. What’s more, a deficiency also makes pregnant mothers more susceptible to unpleasant and threatening complications like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, low birth weight, and more.

Vitamin C

Infections be gone! Vitamin C is important to take—in small doses—while pregnant because it helps expecting moms to ward off infection. It also helps promote the formation of collagen, which cartilage, tendons, bones, and skin are all composed of.

Thiamine

Feeling overly fatigued? Thiamine is a vitamin that helps more efficiently convert the carbs you eat into energy. With a boost of thiamine, you and Baby with both be feeling more energetic, not to mention it also aids in the healthy development of your baby’s brain.

Riboflavin

Riboflavin is also known as vitamin B2 and, like thiamine, helps increase your energy levels. Those who don’t take consume enough riboflavin while pregnant might be at a higher risk for suffering from preeclampsia. Additionally, riboflavin is essential to the development of Baby’s muscles, nerves, and bones.

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