Specially
formulated supplements for pregnant women are prescribed routinely by most
physicians. Some are sold over the counter, while others are dispensed by prescription
because of their high folate content (1 milligram), which could pose problems
for others, such as older people. This routine use of prenatal supplements may
exist because it is easier for physicians to prescribe supplements than to
discuss diet changes. Also, some pregnant women are just not willing to change
their diets to meet their increased nutrient needs, or they simply expect (or
demand) this treatment. These prenatal supplements typically include the
critical nutrients for pregnancy that is, iron, zinc, and folate and many
others as well. Prenatal supplements especially may contribute to a successful
pregnancy with poor women, teenagers, those with a generally deficient diet,
and women carrying multiple fetuses. There is no evidence that potential
supplements cause significant health problems in pregnancy, as long as other
sources of supplementary and dietary vitamin A are monitored. During pregnancy,
preformed vitamin A should not exceed 3000 RAE per day (15,000 IU per day).
Toxicity of vitamin A is linked with birth defects. This occurs mainly during
the first trimester.
Pregnant
Vegetarians
Women who
practice either lactovoo vegetarianism or lactovegetarianism generally do not
face special difficulties in meeting their nutritional needs during pregnancy.
Like non vegetarian women, they should be concerned primarily with meeting
iron, zinc, folate, and calcium needs.
On the other
hand, when a total vegetarian (vegan) becomes pregnant, she must carefully plan
a diet that includes sufficient protein, vitamin D (or sufficient sun exposure),
vitamin B-6, iron, calcium, and zinc and must use a vitamin B-12 supplement.
The basic vegan diet should be modified to include more grains, beans, nuts,
and seeds to supply the necessary extra amounts of some of these nutrients.
Because iron and calcium are poorly absorbed from most plant foods, iron and
calcium supplements are probably necessary; however, to avoid competition for
absorption, they should not be taken together. The amounts provided by typical
prenatal supplements should suffice to meet iron needs but not calcium needs
(only 200 milligrams of calcium are contained in a typical prenatal
supplement). The prenatal supplement also fulfills vitamin D needs if
sufficient sun exposure does not take place.
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