Vitamins are active substances that take part in intracellular metabolism, support immunity, regulate metabolism, and promote the development and restoration of tissues and cells. They are needed in very small quantities, but their lack significantly affects human health.
The need for vitamins depends on the gender, age of the person and his physiological condition. The need for vitamins during pregnancy increases significantly. But it should be remembered that a lack of vitamins can be as harmful as their overabundance. Therefore, if you think that you need vitamins for pregnant women, which are better to take, ask the obstetrician who is conducting your pregnancy. In each case, the drugs that are most suitable for the patient are prescribed.
Vitamins in the early stages of pregnancy are, of course, necessary. One of the most important is folic acid, the so-called vitamin B9. It is necessary in order for the formation of tissues of the future baby to go through correctly, and provides a sufficiently high rate of its development in the early stages. Folic acid helps prevent a child from developing hypotension, hydrocephalus and other congenital malformations, as well as prematurity. Vitamin B9 is prescribed for almost all pregnant women, regardless of how they eat.
In the early stages, vitamin E is very often prescribed, which is used for threats of abortion. In addition, it is a powerful antioxidant that protects the body from ions that can destroy cells. Vitamin E contributes to the normalization of pressure, strengthens the tissues of the lungs and heart, as well as the walls of blood vessels, especially small ones.
With toxicosis, vitamin B6 helps well, which not only significantly reduces nausea, but is also necessary in order for the central nervous system of the fetus to fully develop.
Vitamins for pregnant women in trimesters have some differences. When the second trimester of pregnancy comes , the need for various vitamins increases greatly, both in the pregnant woman and in the fetus. At this time, you need:
- Iron supplements to help prevent anemia
- Magnesium - reducing the threat of miscarriage and contributing to the improvement of the heart and blood vessels;
- Calcium - is necessary to strengthen the bones of the baby and will help to keep mom's teeth.
Of course, this is not the whole list of essential vitamins and it is very difficult to take them individually. Now pharmacies offer an extensive selection of multivitamin preparations, but there are also special developed vitamins for pregnant women. Which are better? This question does not have a clear answer. Some of the drugs do not have iodine or calcium, and there is also a lack of folic acid. This means that the missing items will need to be taken separately. But it’s possible to accidentally take too much, which is no less dangerous than a deficiency of any vitamin.
Before you start to drink vitamins for pregnant women, which is best for you to decide with your doctor, and not with a friend. Taking vitamins, following the recommendations of a specialist, the expectant mother will feel much better, and they will have a positive effect on the child.
The most popular among pregnant multivitamins are Vitrum Prenatal and Elevit. Both drugs provide the right amount of folic acid and many other elements, but they also have a common drawback - they do not contain iodine. Deficiency of this important element can cause mental retardation in a child and lead to thyroid disease in a pregnant woman.
The answer to the question "Vitamins for pregnant women, which is better?" very simple: correctly selected by a doctor, specially designed for this category and regularly taken.