Nutrition, Vitamins and Pregnancy

Most women when they are pregnant will be given a prenatal multi-vitamin, which includes all the daily vitamins that they will need, plus folic acid.

Folic acid is very important in pregnancy. Folic acid is required in your increased maternal metabolism, and red blood cell formation. All the folic acid that is needed should be found in your prenatal multi-vitamin.

Vitamins are very important to the developing fetus. However, you should be aware that too much can cause grave problems in the baby, so consult your physician before taking ANY vitamins or supplements.

Let's run through the basic vitamins and their importance:

• Vitamin A - Important in the fetus in bone growth and for tooth structure.
  
• Vitamin D - Helps normal bone and tooth development by helping absorption of calcium.
• Vitamin E - Helps with the maintenance of your blood.
• Vitamin C - Needed for maintaining healthy tissue and blood vessels.
• Vitamin B Complex - Varies, but helps in forming red blood cells, also the nervous system.

A well balanced diet, good eating habits, and common sense will give you a good foundation for the start of a healthy, happy pregnancy.

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