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Pregnancy is a natural physiological state, meaning the female body adapts accordingly to optimise the physiological functions required for a healthy pregnancy. However, the increasing demands of pregnancy often necessitate supportive medical measures, including surveillance in antenatal clinics and the use of vitamins and other supplements. This ensures that any emerging problems can be actively managed and any nutritional or other deficiencies can be addressed.
The ideal pregnancy is a carefully planned one. This involves a pre-pregnancy check, adherence to a healthier lifestyle, optimal control of any chronic conditions, and the commencement of recommended supplements. However, all too often, pregnancies occur unexpectedly. In such scenarios, the best course of action is to quickly adjust to the pregnancy and familiarise yourself with routine recommendations.
Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, is the main supplement recommended for all women during pregnancy. Ideally, it should be taken before pregnancy and continued until the end of the first trimester. It plays a crucial role in the development of the baby’s brain, skull, and spinal cord. Since the introduction of routine folic acid supplementation, the rates of spinal cord defects, such as spina bifida, have dramatically decreased worldwide. Folic acid is commonly combined with iron in a single tablet, as both are essential for producing healthy blood cells and preventing anaemia.
Many supplements contain combinations of several ingredients, including vitamins, electrolytes, and more. This can sometimes cause confusion about which supplements are necessary and whether they are all required. The simple answer is that most healthy women do not need all of these supplements, aside from folic acid.
It is advisable to check with your obstetrician to see whether you require additional supplements during pregnancy. Any identified nutritional deficiencies should certainly be supplemented, and some women may have a higher risk of pregnancy complications, requiring adjustments to routine supplementation.
The drive for a healthy pregnancy, coupled with clever pharmaceutical marketing, encourages women to opt for supplements they may not necessarily need. While taking an additional pregnancy supplement is unlikely to cause harm, it is important to ensure that it is manufactured by a reputable pharmaceutical company. Some trendy supplements with long lists of ingredients may not be what they seem.
If you are healthy, getting all your essential nutrients from a balanced diet, and have no deficiencies or other risk factors, taking supplemental pills daily will not make your pregnancy any healthier.
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