What vitamins do pregnant women need, for what and at what period of gestation. Vitamins for pregnant women: a difficult choice What vitamins should a pregnant woman take

During pregnancy, significant changes occur in a woman's body - the metabolism is greatly rebuilt, the hormonal background fluctuates, and the composition of the blood changes. A growing fetus receives nutrients from the mother's body, so a woman's need for vitamins and microelements increases one and a half to two times. Recently, the issue of vitamin deficiency in expectant mothers has been quite acute, so doctors are making every effort to prepare for pregnancy and take the necessary drugs starting at the planning stage.

Vitamin deficiency and consequences

Vitamins are needed not only for the proper development of the fetus, but also for maintaining the health of the mother. Thus, the lack of any substance can lead to the manifestation of health problems in both the child and the pregnant woman. In the human body, vitamins play the role of enzymes, accelerating biochemical reactions. In addition, they take part in humoral regulation, performing the functions of some hormones. Despite popular belief, vitamins do not serve as a source of energy and are not structural components of tissues. These compounds are important only to ensure proper metabolism, on which the work of all internal organs and systems depends.

Pregnant women have been found to be deficient in at least three vitamins. This can lead to improper formation of the internal organs in the fetus or health problems in the mother due to excessive drawing of substances from her body. Most often there is a deficiency of B vitamins, carotenoids and ascorbic acid.

Vitamins enter the human body with food, but it is believed that food cannot fully provide the necessary daily intake. This is especially true for women during pregnancy. This leads to the need to take additional vitamins, in particular in the form of drugs.

Especially dangerous during pregnancy are conditions in which there is a deficiency of vitamin D, B6, folic acid, as they can lead to irreversible consequences of the formation of the nervous system or the skeleton of the child.

Vitamin deficiency in the first trimester is dangerous for violations in the formation of the nervous system, as well as the development of fetal defects and even intrauterine death. It is during this period that the laying of all organs and tissues occurs, as well as an important differentiation of cells. In the second and third trimester, vitamin deficiency is less dangerous, but can lead to problems in the cardiovascular, endocrine or digestive systems.

The role of vitamins in the formation of the fetus

Pyridoxine (B6). Together with other vitamins that belong to group B, pyridoxine is involved in the conduction of nerve impulses. This vitamin is necessary for the proper functioning of the nervous system and the harmonious development of the child's brain. In addition, amino acids are produced from pyridoxine and proteins are synthesized - the main structural component of the human body.
Folic acid (B9). Necessary for the processes of cell renewal, as well as for the proper formation of the fetal nervous system. With a lack of folic acid, neural tube defects, placental tissue pathologies can occur, and the likelihood of premature termination of pregnancy increases.
Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin). Necessary for the proper development of a fertilized egg. Vitamin deficiency can lead to miscarriage. Cyanocobalamin is also a coenzyme in many biochemical reactions, in particular the oxidation of proteins and fats, as well as the synthesis of amino acids.
Vitamin E (tocopherol). One of the most important vitamins for the fetus, pregnant woman, as well as the average person. Participates in the processes of tissue respiration, protects tissues from free radicals, strengthens the placenta. Necessary for the prevention of miscarriage and the normal development of a fertilized egg. It is prescribed to all women during pregnancy planning, as well as in the first trimester. Vitamin E deficiency can also lead to vision problems and hemolytic anemia. It is not recommended to exceed the dosage of this vitamin.
Vitamin A (retinol) provides antioxidant protection and is a structural component of cell membranes. Its deficiency leads to abnormal development of the fetus, as well as problems with the vision of the baby after childbirth.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Necessary for the synthesis of collagen fibers, which are part of the structure of bones, cartilage and blood vessels. Vitamin C is known for its immune-boosting properties, as well as its ability to neutralize toxins. With a lack of vitamin increases the likelihood of infection with viral infections and negative consequences for the baby.

The role of vitamins for a pregnant woman

Pyridoxine. Vitamin is involved in the processes of hematopoiesis and ensures the proper functioning of the nervous system. Its deficiency leads to anemia, convulsive syndrome, the development of early toxicosis, irritability, and insomnia.
Folic acid. Necessary for the stable functioning of the nervous system. With a deficiency, a woman may feel a loss of appetite, increased fatigue and irritability.
Vitamin B 12. Takes part in the processes of hematopoiesis and various biochemical reactions. Vitamin deficiency leads to the development of special types of anemia, which negatively affect the state of the bone marrow and nervous system.
Vitamin E. Takes part in the metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, acts as an antioxidant. With a deficiency, muscle pain, weakness, and spontaneous abortion may occur.
Vitamin A. It is recommended to take the vitamin precursor, beta-carotene, to minimize the chance of overdose. Vitamin A itself takes part in many biochemical processes in the body, and with its deficiency, vision problems develop, immune defense decreases, and the condition of the epithelium worsens.
Vitamin C. Reduces vascular fragility, prevents varicose veins, which often occurs in pregnant women. Improves resistance to infections, accelerates tissue repair due to participation in collagen synthesis. With a lack of ascorbic acid, bruising, stretch marks, and frequent colds occur.

To prevent a deficiency of most of the most important vitamins, it is recommended to take complex vitamin preparations during pregnancy. They have adjusted not only the qualitative, but also the quantitative composition, taking into account the special position of women.

Foods rich in vitamins

It is possible to maintain the health of a pregnant woman and the harmonious intrauterine development of the fetus with the help of proper nutrition. It should be varied and include the main food groups (meat, cereals, vegetables, dairy, etc.) so that a woman receives all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Foods that are sources of vitamins are shown in the table below:

vitamins by pregnancy

The need for different vitamins varies depending on the duration of pregnancy and the processes that occur in the body.

In the first trimester, the main emphasis should be on the intake of folic acid, vitamin E and ascorbic acid. During this period, the laying of the nervous system and the formation of internal organs take place, and the woman's immunity decreases due to hormonal changes. These vitamins will ensure the full development of the embryo, prevent pathologies of the brain, vision and hearing. It is recommended to supplement vitamins during this period with microelements - iodine and zinc.

In the second trimester, there is more need for substances that will give the mother energy, and the child - the structural material for growth. It is recommended to take vitamins A, C, E, as well as vitamin D. Additionally, the need for vital microelements - iron, zinc, iodine - increases.

childbearing is not only joy and excitement for every woman, her body is under great stress during this period. The expectant mother has to supply the necessary nutrients not only to her body, but also to the body of the child. Therefore, these supplements require additional vitamins and minerals. Doctors often offer a woman several vitamin complexes to choose from. To choose the right drug, based on its action and cost, I hope this article will help you. Below are the most popular and effective multivitamin complexes for expectant mothers.

Before describing individual preparations, it is necessary to understand how they differ from conventional vitamin complexes. The first difference is the composition carefully developed by scientists, it has long been known how many and what nutrients the body of a pregnant woman and the unborn child may lack.

One of the most important trace elements is calcium, which maintains the normal state of the bones of the expectant mother and is responsible for the formation of the baby's skeleton, therefore, vitamins for pregnant women contain much more calcium, they also contain 2 times more folic acid and. Manufacturers add other useful substances in accordance with the research of scientists in each particular country.

It is no secret that certain foods predominate in the diet of people in different countries of the world, as a result of some nutrients there may be an excess, some deficiency. Therefore, Russian women should not immediately dismiss domestic preparations, it is in them that the peculiarities of our nutrition are better taken into account.

The best prenatal vitamins

Of course, in general, the composition of various vitamin and mineral complexes does not differ much, because manufacturers in such a responsible business are guided not by their own preferences, but by the general needs of mother and baby. The main difference between prenatal vitamins is the price and the presence or absence of controversial components.

Some manufacturers do not add calcium, some iodine, although doctors are more likely to believe that both the mother and the unborn child need these substances. But it is not necessary to compensate for the lack of iodine and calcium with chemical vitamins, it is enough to slightly correct the diet - to introduce additional fish, seaweed, apples, cottage cheese and other foods rich in these substances. True, recently scientists have begun to argue that calcium is poorly absorbed from foods and it is best for pregnant women to take it additionally, preferably in combination with vitamin D3.

Therefore, it is the expectant mother herself, together with the attending physician, who decides which company to choose vitamins for pregnant women. Below is a rating of the best vitamins for pregnant women, based on the recommendations of doctors and reviews of expectant mothers.

Elevit Pronatal

The most popular vitamins for pregnant women, they are often prescribed by gynecologists and future mothers advise each other. The complex is produced in France by Roche. The biggest plus of this drug is a good balance of micro and macro elements. Also, the composition of Elevit Pronatal includes almost all the nutrients and vitamins necessary for pregnant women. Only iodine will not be found there, if the expectant mother needs it, then she will have to take it separately or pick up another drug. Elevit can be started when planning a pregnancy and finished at the same time that breastfeeding is stopped.

Reviews of mothers about the drug are mostly positive, Elevit prevents hair loss, brittle nails, increases stress resistance and makes the expectant mother more active, practically does not cause taxicosis.

The disadvantages of the drug are its high price, the course will cost 6-7 thousand rubles and large rough tablets, which are quite difficult to swallow. The drug also contains magnesium, which relaxes the uterus, so its intake is not desirable for women with a threat of miscarriage. Sometimes Elevit calls for a side effect - constipation, and the female body can also give out an allergy to any of the components of the drug. Dark-colored stools when taking these vitamins are normal and will go away with time.

Vitrum Prenatal

The manufacturer of this complex is the American company Unifarm Inc. Vitamins are produced specifically for pregnant and lactating mothers. The content of iron and, in Vitrum Prenatal is increased. An increased dose of calcium in tandem with vitamin D3 contributes to the development of a strong skeleton in the baby and prevents the destruction of bones and teeth in a pregnant woman.

This drug also does not contain iodine, if iodine is still needed, then you can take Vitrum Prenatal Forte, in addition to iodine, it also includes B vitamins, betacortin, magnesium, copper, chromium and selenium. Both those and other vitamins are allowed to be taken for a long time. Therefore, Vitrum Prenatal and Vitrum Prenatal Forte can be taken throughout the entire period of childbearing and breastfeeding.

The disadvantages of Vitrum include the same high cost of vitamins and the large size of the tablets.

Vitamin and mineral complex for pregnant women Femibion

Austrian-made vitamins, manufacturer Merck KGaA&Co. This manufacturer divided the vitamin complex depending on the duration of pregnancy.

Femibion I- prescribed during pregnancy planning and in early pregnancy

Femibion II- prescribed from the 3rd month of pregnancy.

The drug is interesting in that it has a different composition depending on what nutrients women need at different stages of pregnancy. The uniqueness of its composition is that folic acid is added in its active form, metafolin, it is he who is best absorbed by the body. Folic acid during pregnancy plays a very important role, it is responsible for the proper formation of the immune system and the circulatory system of the unborn child, and also normalizes the function of the ovaries in the mother.

Femibion does not contain vitamin A, which is extremely dangerous for pregnant women in large quantities, because it can lead to fetal malformations.

Femibion I is available in tablets, and Femibion II in tablets and capsules, you need to take both the capsule and the tablet daily with meals.

Femibion is well tolerated by pregnant women, due to differences in composition, side effects are minimized. But still, in some women, Femibion can cause allergies, headaches and asthenic syndrome.

This drug is also quite expensive, and the second phase vitamins are 2 times more expensive.

Vitamins Alphabet for pregnant women

Vitamins Alphabet "Mom's Health" are produced by a domestic pharmaceutical company. The complex is intended for pregnant and lactating women. The difference between these vitamins and the previous complexes is that 3 tablets are needed for daily intake, for convenience they differ in color - white, blue and pink. Similar "splitting up" vitamins are made for their better assimilation and tolerability, each tablet contains only vitamins and microelements that can be combined with each other. Also, if you are allergic to some vitamins, for example, E, this pill can be excluded from daily intake.

Multi-colored tablets can be taken in any order, it is only advisable to take it with meals.

The advantages of the drug include its good composition and low cost, the optimal combination of vitamins B12 and B6 minimizes the likelihood of allergies. Among the shortcomings, some expectant mothers note the not very convenient form of a 3-time intake, often women forget to take them.

Complivit "Trimestrum"

Inexpensive domestic complex of drugs, produced separately for each trimester of pregnancy. Titles Trimestrum 1, Trimestrum 2, Trimestrum 3, speak for themselves. Vitamins of the first stage can be taken already during pregnancy planning. The tablets of each complex contain exactly the amount of vitamins and minerals that a woman needs at this stage of bearing a child. The Trimestrum 1 complex contains a lot of folic acid, which is necessary at the stage of fetal formation, in the second and third trimesters there is no longer such a need, therefore the content of folic acid in Trimestrum 2 and 3 is within the daily norm, but the content of other nutrients is higher. Due to the absence of iodine in the composition, these vitamins can be taken by pregnant women with increased thyroid function.

This domestic manufacturer has another drug for pregnant women Complivit Mom, there is no division into trimesters.

Vitamins for pregnant women Complivit have several important advantages - good quality at an affordable price, small pill size that does not cause difficulty in taking. Plus, the daily dose of vitamins is contained in just one tablet, no need to take pills several times a day.

True, the reviews of expectant mothers about the drug are not unambiguous, some note an increase in toxicosis, digestive problems and allergies.

Budget drug made in Germany, contains the main vitamins of groups A, and B, C and D, plus calcium and iron. The order of admission depends on the duration of pregnancy. The number of tablets is equal to the trimester of pregnancy, in the first - one, in the second - two, in the third - 3. The gynecologist can change the daily dose, depending on the balance of nutrition of the expectant mother. Take vitamins with meals, drinking plenty of water.

The undeniable advantages of Pregnavit vitamins include its balanced composition, low price, convenient intake in the form of capsules, the drug can be bought at almost any pharmacy. Vitamins have a positive effect on the condition of the skin, nails and hair.

Of the minuses, the absence of iodine in the composition of Pregnavit and the presence of dyes in the shell are most often mentioned, which can occasionally lead to allergies. The need to take strictly after meals can also cause inconvenience.

Multi-Tabs for pregnant women

For the domestic market, Multi-Tabs is produced mainly in Russia using Danish technology. It's still them, the complex contains all the necessary substances, including iodine, selenium and calcium. Iodine stimulates the thyroid gland and regulates the hormonal background of the expectant mother. In the assortment of Multi-Tabs there is another drug for pregnant women - Multi-Tabs Perintal, saturated with Omega 3 acids, this drug is universal and suitable for almost any expectant mother, but you still need to consult a doctor.

Advantages of the drug: low price, small daily dosage, to provide the body of the expectant mother with all the nutrients, one tablet per day is enough, taken with food.

The disadvantages of the drug are its side effects, which really do not occur often, occasionally they manifest themselves in increased toxicosis or an allergic reaction, sometimes taking Multi-Tabs can cause an exacerbation of chronic diseases.

Solgar Prenatal Vitamins

The complex is produced in the USA, has more than twenty useful elements in its composition, has a high content of vitamins C and E. Solgar is also famous for its good antioxidant properties, removes toxins and prevents the development of cataracts. Vitamins are made from natural ingredients and are contained in tablets in an easily digestible form. Due to the expensive components, the drug itself is not cheap.

Numerous reviews of women say that Solgar relieves toxicosis at the beginning of pregnancy, improves metabolism and increases appetite. In addition to the high cost, many women also speak negatively about the large size of the pills and the volume of their daily intake. In the first 3 months of pregnancy, you need to take 2 tablets, at a later date - 4, many people forget and get confused.

Another noteworthy Russian-made pregnancy vitamins, Lonopan contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals, which are better absorbed due to separate intake. The pack contains blisters with green and white tablets, green tablets with iron and iodine, white tablets contain calcium. More often, the following regimen is prescribed - 2 green tablets in the morning and 4 white tablets in the evening. The attending physician can change the dosage guided by the needs of the body of each woman individually.

Expectant mothers note the pleasant taste of the tablets, which is achieved by adding fructose and natural flavors to the preparation. Even women who cannot physically swallow pills can take these vitamins, pills can be chewed, and not drunk whole.

The packaging of vitamins is not quite ordinary - a cardboard box in which there are 2 packages with a zip fastener, dragees are sold not by quantity, but by weight, so how many tablets you need per course have to be calculated empirically, there are often extra pills in one of the packages, this is not very economical, especially since the drug is quite expensive.

Complex for pregnant women Pregnacare

The vitamin complex developed in the UK completes the rating of vitamins for pregnant women, it will be useful not only for pregnant women, but also for nursing mothers. Its composition is not very diverse - only 11 vitamins and 5 minerals, but these substances are enough to meet the needs of a woman at different stages of pregnancy and lactation. Manufacturers did not add calcium to the preparation, which interferes with the absorption of iron, therefore, according to the doctor's prescription, it is necessary to take calcium preparations separately, at different times of the day. Pregnacare improves immunity, stimulates the proper functioning of internal organs. The dosage of Pregnacare should be determined by a gynecologist, otherwise improper intake can lead to hypervitaminosis and a deterioration in the well-being of the expectant mother, it is also dangerous for the fetus.

These vitamins for pregnant women are much more expensive than domestic ones, and given the need to additionally purchase calcium supplements, some women consider taking it inappropriate. Others report nausea and allergies after taking Pregnacare.

Is it always necessary to take prenatal vitamins?

Not always. The female body during pregnancy primarily provides all the necessary substances for the child. Therefore, if a mother receives less of some substances from nutrition, then this will affect the child less than the body of the mother herself, who will experience an acute deficiency of these elements, which will inevitably lead to negative consequences for her health. But the probability of pathology in a child due to a lack of vitamins is quite small, healthy children are born even in times of famine. But the mother, whose body has given everything to the child, can often get sick, grow old sharply and it will be very difficult to restore strength. To prevent this from happening, it is better to take vitamins for pregnant women while carrying a child, it is not necessary to buy expensive imported ones, this article contains a number of cheap but worthy drugs.

Based on this information, you can consult your doctor and decide which prenatal vitamins to buy. Perhaps you will choose something better or more suitable for yourself, for example, our rating does not include Israeli vitamins, which are of good quality and are also very popular with expectant mothers.

Health to you and your children!

Vitamins are biologically active compounds that have a variety of structures. They are coenzymes of biochemical reactions occurring in the body. During pregnancy, the need for vitamins increases due to the growth and development of the fetus and the increased load on many maternal systems. But whether it is necessary to drink vitamins during pregnancy remains controversial to date.

Beneficial features

Studies show that most women become pregnant against the background of a deficiency of many vitamins and minerals. This deficit has to be replenished during the gestation period. At this time, the need for group B, C, folic acid increases significantly. At the same time, the need for trace elements is increasing.

The shortage may not be felt, but it will affect the emerging child. It has been proven that a lack of folic acid in the early stages leads to the development of neural tube defects. Therefore, even before conception, doctors recommend including vitamin complexes containing folic acid, as well as tocopherol, in the preconception preparation plan. It improves the maturation of the egg and promotes fertilization.

The expectant mother must prepare the body for pregnancy, create reserves of biologically active substances. This will improve the work of various enzyme systems, metabolism. With a sufficient amount of vitamins B₆, B₁₂, the level of hemoglobin is associated. With a deficiency, aplastic anemia develops, which will aggravate the course of pregnancy.

1 trimester

Doctors recommend taking vitamins during the trimesters of pregnancy. The 1st trimester is associated with the laying of all organs, the beginning of the formation of the nervous system. The further viability of the fetus and the preservation of pregnancy depend on how correctly this process proceeds.

It must be remembered that the development of the embryo does not depend only on the content of vitamins in the diet, and in the presence of genetic abnormalities or chromosomal rearrangements, the situation cannot be corrected by increasing the active substances in the diet.

Vitamins are prescribed by a gynecologist depending on the trimester and individual characteristics, taking into account risk factors. The main drugs in the initial period are:

folic acid - B₉;
tocopherol acetate - E;
retinol - A;

Is it necessary to take vitamins in the 1st trimester of pregnancy if a woman eats well? The need for them during the bearing of a child increases several times, therefore it is impossible to cover it only with food.

Folic acid

Contained in any vegetables with a natural green color when ripe, as well as leafy greens (parsley, spinach, dill). It has even been found in animal products, which is why there is now talk of the ubiquitous presence of folate. But its peculiarity is the tendency to rapid decay. If a salad or cabbage is just plucked from the garden, then we can talk about a good saturation with useful substances. But in vegetables that are stored in the refrigerator or at room temperature, the breakdown of folates is accelerated, after a few hours their content is half as much. When heated to 60 degrees, only traces of folic acid remain after a few minutes.

Folacin is necessary for the division of all body cells, both in the expectant mother and in the developing fetus. It is involved in the process of DNA replication (doubling) that occurs during cell division. Most of all, the red bone marrow, as the most actively dividing structure, suffers from a lack of folate. For a woman, this is manifested by the development of megaloblastic anemia.

But a state of pronounced deficiency and severe consequences of a lack of B₉ are rarely observed. The normal intestinal microflora is involved in the synthesis of this substance, as well as several others. With dysbacteriosis, when the content of beneficial bacteria in the intestine is disturbed, the amount of folates in the body may decrease, which, together with insufficient intake from food, will lead to the development of anemia. It is impossible to cure it only with iron preparations.

The dose of folic acid for those who are planning a pregnancy is 400-800 micrograms. But doctors recommend sticking to the maximum dosage: this will saturate the body before conception. With successful conception, the dosage is not reduced. Those who in past pregnancies did not have children with neural tube pathology, spontaneous miscarriages in the early stages, are allowed to take 800-1000 mcg per day. For women with a history of the listed pathologies, the dose is increased several times.

You can read more about why you need to drink folic acid when planning a pregnancy, as well as prescribed drugs and options for taking them.

Pregnant women diagnosed with epilepsy who are forced to take anticonvulsants should take an increased dose of folate. Carbamazepine and valproic acid significantly reduce the amount of B₉ in the body.

Folic acid is safe. It is water-soluble, with excess in the body is easily excreted by the kidneys. No signs of overdose have been reported.

Tocopherol

The second most important for pregnant women is tocopherol (E). This is a fat-soluble compound, the name of which translates as "bearing offspring." Its function in the body is to:

protection of cell membranes from the damaging effects of oxygen;
preservation of vitamins A and C in an unoxidized form;
the inclusion of selenium in the composition of coenzymes;
immune protection;
reducing the need for cells in oxygen and protection from hypoxia;
protein synthesis and tissue regeneration;
stimulation of hormone production.

The lack of tocopherol is reflected in the appearance and condition of the skin, nails and hair. They become dull, lifeless, hair splits, and nails break easily. Therefore, with dry skin, it is necessary to additionally include tocopherol in the diet.

During the gestational period, an additional amount of tocopherol is needed. It has the following effect:

improves hormonal levels;
contributes to the maturation of the egg;
reduces risk;
increases the chance of conception;
eliminates symptoms;
promotes the formation of the placenta;
reduces the risk.

The dosage of vitamin E in capsules is 100-200 mg per day. It is recommended to start taking it at the planning stage 2 months before conception for two spouses. A woman continues to drink tocopherol after confirmation of pregnancy for 2-3 months.

Tocopherol (vitamin E) is the second most important vitamin for pregnant women (after folic acid).

Tocopherol acetate is a fat soluble substance. Therefore, there is a risk of its cumulation. But the toxic effect is manifested when the daily norm is exceeded by 10-20 times. There may be a cumulative effect with prolonged overdose. Then the medicine is canceled and Vikasol is prescribed to reduce the risk of bleeding.

Retinol

Vitamin A (retinol) is involved in many metabolic processes:

enzyme synthesis;
the formation of muscle tissue;
synthesis of sex hormones;
maintaining immunity due to the metabolism of interferons, lysozyme, immunoglobulin A;
activation of receptors for calcitriol (vitamin D₃);
production of retinal rhodopsin for twilight vision.

Experiments have shown that the most complete exclusion of retinol from the diet of animals of both sexes leads to the development of infertility. It is also necessary for the normal development of the unborn child. But the need for vitamin A in women before and during pregnancy is not much different. In the 1st trimester, a sufficient amount of it comes from food. Large doses of retinoids are toxic to the fetus and can cause the development of heart defects, nervous system. Only by the second half of gestation and the moment of lactation does the need increase.

2 trimester

After the formation of all organs of the fetus and placenta, the need for active substances changes. The 2nd trimester is a time of active growth of the child, the development of the skeleton. Therefore, the need for calcium and the substances involved in its metabolism increases.

After 20 weeks, it is recommended to take additional retinol. He is responsible for the activation of receptors for calciferol, so the lack of the first will affect its action. Doctors prescribe 1-2 tablets of retinol, which corresponds to 3300-6600 IU.

Lack of vitamin D during pregnancy is manifested by impaired absorption of calcium. If this trace element is not supplied with enough food, then the body begins to withdraw it from its own structures in order to provide a growing fetus. Therefore, a pregnant woman may experience:

aches in the bones;
joint pain;
muscle cramps.

Calcium deficiency will affect after pregnancy. For some, even during the period of gestation, teeth begin to actively deteriorate and crumble, caries appears. Hair and nails also suffer from a lack of calcium.

It should be remembered that calcium is a component of the blood coagulation system; without it, the full formation of a clot is impossible. Therefore, a deficiency can lead to increased bleeding, which is especially dangerous during gestation.

A child with an intrauterine deficiency of D₃ may have a predisposition to the development of rickets.

But not all pregnant women have clear signs of calciferol deficiency. They are successfully synthesized in the skin under the action of ultraviolet radiation. In some cases, this process may be disrupted:

dark-skinned people who lived in the equatorial zones for a long time, but now live in a temperate climate;
with a strict vegetarian diet;
in those rarely exposed to the sun or from regions located beyond the Arctic Circle.

Rules for taking vitamin D for pregnant women - 400-600 IU, or 10-15 mcg, is enough to cover the daily requirement.

3rd trimester

By the end of gestation, an increased need for A, E, D remains. Also, ascorbic acid is recommended in the 3rd trimester. It is included in the complex of antioxidants that protect cells from the action of various endogenous oxidizing agents. Vitamin C has the following effect:

strengthens the walls of blood vessels, reduces their fragility;
reduces bleeding;
strengthens the immune system;
promotes iron absorption.

For pregnant women who have to bear a child during a seasonal rise in the incidence of respiratory infections, it will not be superfluous to include ascorbic acid in the diet. It is not possible to fully cover the costs of the body at the expense of food. Ascorbic acid, like folates, does not withstand the action of air and heat, it begins to decompose at temperatures above 60 degrees, and after boiling it is completely absent.

Iron deficiency anemia may be due to a violation of the intake of ferrum in the body. Its absorption is accelerated while taking ascorbic acid and is inhibited in the presence of calcium. Therefore, in the composition of some complex vitamin preparations, these substances are combined depending on the competition for absorption.

For pregnant women, regardless of the trimester, vitamin B₁₂ (cyanocobolamine) is important. For the body, it is useful for the following properties:

participation in the synthesis of DNA and RNA cells;
fatty acid metabolism;
protein synthesis;
the formation of red blood cells;
melatonin synthesis and regulation of sleep cycles;
maintaining the health of the reproductive system.

In pregnant women, a lack of cyanocobolamin leads to development that cannot be treated with iron preparations, sleep problems, nervousness, and memory impairment. The need increases in the following cases:

vegetarian diet;
diabetes;
alcohol consumption;
the age of the expectant mother is over 45 years old.

The need during gestation and lactation is the same and is 3.5 mg per day.

Vitamin B₆ is also often prescribed for pregnant women, but in combination with magnesium. These substances reinforce each other's action. They begin to be used in the 2nd-3rd trimester to prevent pathology of the placenta, and also in case of a threat, magnesium in combination with B₆ reduces the tone of the uterus and helps prolong gestation.

Ways to fill the deficit

Which vitamins are better to take during pregnancy, the doctor decides, focusing on the individual characteristics of the woman. If the expectant mother has no complications, she has a minimal risk or its absence in the development of fetal pathologies, then prophylactic doses of drugs are necessary. In case of detection of abnormalities, severe condition of the fetus, risk of preterm birth and various diseases, increased doses of drugs may be required.

The regimen for taking vitamins during pregnancy may change. It should be remembered that B₆ and B₁₂ cannot be combined, they enhance the allergenic effect of each other and can lead to urticaria. A, E, C are complementary, have an antioxidant effect. Therefore, they are often used as a single drug.

Food

Most doctors insist on the need for vitamin complexes, despite a balanced diet. The explanation for this is as follows:

The amount of nutrients in food cannot cover the daily requirement of even a non-pregnant woman. It is not only the content of active substances that matters, but also their absorption, which may be limited due to metabolic characteristics or certain diseases.
In winter, in vegetables and fruits, the amount of useful components is at a minimum level: folates and ascorbic acid have already oxidized by this time.
Processing products before consumption leads to a significant loss of their beneficial properties.

There are also conditions that reduce the intake of nutrients from food or speed up their metabolism:

gastritis;
duodenitis;
diabetes;
acute or chronic infections;
liver pathology;
colitis.

The use of vitamin complexes does not cancel proper nutrition. Food contains the necessary peptides, fatty acids, carbohydrates, without which life and development are impossible, as well as ballast substances necessary for normal digestion.

Medications

With the help of pharmaceutical preparations, you can achieve the required concentration of vitamins in the diet and block the daily requirement. Some doubt the need and effectiveness of synthetic drugs, but data from various studies indicate that it is impossible to provide a pregnant woman with the necessary substances without them.

There are many different brands in pharmacies, some of them are designed for the feeding period. They differ from each other in composition and dosage.

Elevit

One of the most popular complexes for pregnant women is Elevit. Its feature is a sufficient amount of folic acid: a woman does not need to take it as a separate drug. Also, "Elevit" will be useful for or premature birth, it includes an increased amount of magnesium. A useful property is the high iron content, which is equivalent to a preventive dosage. But the complex does not contain iodine, which is necessary for the formation of the nervous system and the thyroid gland of the fetus. Therefore, those to whom the doctor has prescribed Elevit will have to take iodine additionally from the 22nd week.

Alphabet

Separately, you can highlight the vitamins "Alphabet". Their feature is the division of active substances into different methods. For example, iron is reinforced by the action of ascorbic acid, magnesium - B₆, calcium - D₃, B₆ and B₁₂ are not taken in one tablet, which reduces the risk of developing allergies. The convenience lies in the fact that if you are intolerant to a certain substance in the composition of the tablet, you can refuse to take it. But taking "Alphabet" is recommended for practically healthy women, without pregnancy complications or obstetric and gynecological history. The dosages in it are at the minimum for pregnant values.

Vitrum Prenatal Forte

The composition of the drug contains all the necessary trace elements and vitamins, iodine is no exception. Its content is close to the daily requirement and no additional intake is required. The amount of folic acid is optimal for early gestation, and retinol is contained in a dose that is non-toxic to the fetus. The dosage of tocopherol is increased. This combination of useful substances allows us to recommend this drug as a preconception preparation.

Pregnawit

The complex contains all the necessary substances in sufficient quantities, but only calcium and a small amount of iron are contained among the trace elements. On the one hand, this can be considered a disadvantage, but on the other hand, if it is necessary to introduce iron into the diet, add iodine, magnesium, the dosage will not need to be adjusted taking into account the drugs taken.

materna

Contains a complete list of essential substances, a sufficient amount of iodine. This drug can be used only after consulting a doctor. It contains increased content of retinol, tocopherol, ascorbic acid. This is an antioxidant complex that will be useful for women with various chronic diseases. But at the same time, the risk of an allergic reaction increases.

Pregnancy is a special state of a woman. During this period, she is simply obliged to take care of herself, her health, what she eats and drinks, what drugs she takes. In addition, during this period, the needs of a woman also change, because her body must supply nutrients, vitamins and oxygen not only to herself, but also to an unborn child. This article will focus on complex vitamins for pregnant women, the feasibility of taking them and the complexity of the choice.

To drink or not to drink vitamins for pregnant women is a complex issue and still causes a lot of controversy. On the one hand, the lifestyle of the average woman today, unfortunately, does not favor a healthy balanced diet. This means that she, by definition, receives less vitamins and minerals than she needs.

But this has a detrimental effect on the state of the woman's body, to say nothing of the child. On the other hand, an excess of vitamins can be no less harmful for both than their lack.

In addition, the need of each particular woman for a particular vitamin is very individual, and depends on a host of factors, including a woman's diet, her health, lifestyle, and even the time of year. And vitamin complexes are designed in such a way as to satisfy the needs of a woman in any condition, in any season, in any situation. Naturally, with the composition with this approach, excesses occur.

So is it necessary to take vitamins during pregnancy? It is definitely difficult to answer this question. Someone is an ardent fan of taking vitamins both at the conception planning stage and throughout pregnancy. Others believe that taking vitamins can cause serious pathologies, which means that they should not be taken categorically. Whose side is the truth on?

As always, she is somewhere in the middle. If the thing happens summer, and the pregnant woman is correct and eats varied, consumes a lot of fruits and vegetables, then she most likely does not need an additional complex of vitamins for pregnant women. You may need to drink some vitamins separately, but this should be determined by the doctor. If even before pregnancy she had all the signs beriberi and it's happening winter, then you can not do without multivitamins.

As a result, it turns out that, like various medicines, vitamin complexes for pregnant women must be taken not just like that, but only after consultation with a doctor. And, perhaps, the most important thesis that women should remember: it is best to receive vitamins from food. Of course, there are much fewer nutrients in products than in tablets. However, most natural vitamins are absorbed many times better, which means that it is easier to get the daily norm with them.

A set of vitamins for pregnant women

Before you figure out which vitamin complexes are better, you need to understand how many and what vitamins does a pregnant woman need woman. Given that another, albeit small, but already a person is developing in her body, her need for vitamins increases.

The norm of vitamins during pregnancy or a set of vitamins for pregnant women are also compiled without taking into account individual characteristics, but you can still focus on them in order to understand which vitamins are best for pregnant women.

On average, the daily intake of vitamins for pregnant women increases by 15-20%. However, you need to understand that the norms of vitamins differ by trimester. After all, at different periods of a child’s development, he needs different vitamins and minerals.

Vitamins when planning pregnancy

Some experts and many women believe that vitamin complexes for pregnant women should be taken even at the stage of pregnancy planning. However, this issue should also be examined in more detail. First of all, when we are just planning a pregnancy, the need for vitamins has not yet been increased, which means that if you drink vitamins, then for sure not for pregnant women After all, an excess of vitamins affects the body no less detrimentally than their lack.

Should I even take vitamins to prepare for pregnancy? The answer to this question is also individual and requires consultation with a doctor. In the end, if you have already decided to consciously prepare for pregnancy, then you can hardly do without a visit to the doctor. So check with him which vitamins are better for you to drink before pregnancy.

In most cases, women during this period have a deficiency of substances such as iodine and folic acid. It makes sense to drink them on the planning stage. If there are general signs of vitamin deficiency, then the doctor may prescribe a regular multivitamin complex to normalize the condition.

Vitamins in the 1st trimester of pregnancy

Which vitamins are the most important for early pregnancy? Usually, in response to this question, they call the same folic acid, as well as vitamins A and E. Let's try to figure out in more detail why these vitamins are so necessary, and how many of them are needed.

Let's start with vitamin E , because it is about him that the most fierce disputes usually go. The dose of vitamin E during pregnancy is 15 mg. It regulates the production of female sex hormones, normalizes the menstrual cycle - this is still before conception. In the early stages, it participates in the formation of the placenta, and also protects against miscarriage.

Now let's move on to folic acid . Another name for folic acid is vitamin B9 . His reception also begins three months before the planned conception, and ends at the end of the first trimester. The choice of dosage should be carried out by a doctor, depending on the condition of a particular woman. On average, it is 0.4 to 0.8 mg per day.

Folic acid promotes rapid cell division, which has a positive effect on the development of the fetal egg in the early stages. In addition, it contributes to the correct transfer of genetic information, like vitamin E, participates in the formation of the placenta, "insures" against miscarriage and miscarriage. Folic acid plays an important role in the synthesis of hemoglobin, and with its deficiency, anemia can develop. This condition adversely affects the child, because it is hemoglobin that carries oxygen through the body of the mother and fetus.

This is what concerns the body of the mother. But also in fetal development vitamin B9 takes the most active part. In particular, it is very important to receive it in the first 4 weeks of pregnancy. It is at this time that the neural tube is laid, and then the brain develops from it. If folic acid is not enough, then various malformations of the brain may occur, including nerve herniation.

Vitamin B9 is found in animal liver, spinach, asparagus, lentils, Brussels sprouts, beans and wholemeal flour. However, it is absorbed very poorly from food, no more than 50%. That is why it is prescribed to almost all pregnant women.

But don't start taking folic acid on your own. Remember that the dosage must be prescribed by a doctor.

Vitamin A taken in the first 2 months of pregnancy, as well as in the last 2 months. In the second trimester, it is not necessary to take it. In the 1st trimester of pregnancy, vitamin A should be taken no more than 2500 IU per day. Before pregnancy, this figure is twice as much - 5000 IU. Exceeding the dosage is dangerous because it causes the development of heart disease in the fetus, a violation of the development of the nervous system.

At the same time, a lack of vitamin A can be fatal, because it is involved in the development of the skeleton, vision and nervous system.

Vitamin A is found in fish oil, animal liver, sea buckthorn, mountain ash, apricots, rose hips, carrots, peaches, celery and spinach. Please note that vitamin A is fat-soluble, that is, for its absorption, all these foods must be consumed in combination with fats.

Vitamins in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy

In the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, the following vitamins and minerals are needed: iodine, calcium and iron.

Iodine pregnant women are usually prescribed in the first trimester. However, it is especially important in the second. The only contraindication for taking drugs containing iodine may be some diseases of the thyroid gland. Its daily dose is 250 mg per day.

Iodine takes an active part in the synthesis of thyroid hormones, and they, in turn, are involved in the formation of the child's skeleton, as well as in his mental development.

Lack of iodine in pregnant women causes metabolic disorders, namely its slowdown. As a result, expectant mothers begin to gain weight, they develop weakness.

Iodine is easiest to get from seafood and sea or iodized salt. However, it is worth remembering that iodine is destroyed by temperature effects, which means that after heat treatment, the amount of iodine in products decreases sharply.

Daily dose calcium for pregnant women is 1500 mg per day. And there is no point in talking about why calcium is needed in the second half of pregnancy, everyone knows this: calcium is needed for bone formation. In addition, it is involved in the formation of the endocrine system and kidneys.

However, an overdose of calcium preparators will not lead to anything good, because it has the ability to accumulate in the placenta.

Calcium is found mainly in fermented milk products. At the same time, animal fats impede the absorption of calcium, so preference should be given to low-fat foods. There is calcium in plant foods, in particular in broccoli, white cabbage, kohlrabi and the like. Chocolate, coffee and soda reduce absorption of calcium.

Since calcium is very poorly absorbed from food, it is still recommended to take vitamins with calcium for pregnant women. The third generation drugs, such as Calcemin, are considered the best. In addition to calcium, these preparations include vitamin D, zinc, manganese, boron, copper and magnesium, which promote the absorption of calcium.

Equally important for a pregnant woman in the second trimester iron . The average daily dosage is 30-60 mg. In some cases, this amount may be greater: if the woman's iron supply was initially reduced.

Iron is necessary, first of all, for the prevention of anemia. After all, it is part of hemoglobin, which, as we have already found out, carries oxygen throughout the body of the mother and child. In addition, iron is involved in protein synthesis, which is involved in the formation of muscle tissue. Iron deficiency can lead to increased uterine tone.

If a woman has a risk of miscarriage, then she must check the level of iron in the blood. Normally it is 15.

Iron contained in meat, especially a lot of it in veal, turkey, hare, pork and beef. There is iron in plant foods, but from there it is absorbed much worse.

Vitamins in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy

In the third trimester, vitamins such as A, C, D and iron are most relevant. We have already written about iron and vitamin A above. So now we will talk about vitamins C and D.

Vitamin C it is especially important during this period, although in some cases it may be prescribed during the planning period, for example, if a woman smokes. The dose of vitamin C during pregnancy is 90-100 mg.

Vitamin C has a strong effect on the immune system, but has an interesting feature: when oversupply of this vitamin in the blood of a woman, the placenta begins to perceive it as a hostile element and filter it out. That is, the more vitamin C intake, the less the child receives.

It is known that vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, but they provoke the development of allergies, so they are not recommended for pregnant women. It is much more expedient to eat potatoes, greens, sweet peppers, currants, carrots, cabbage. When exposed to air, vitamin C is destroyed.

Vitamin D needed for bone development. Therefore, in the third trimester, it is prescribed for the prevention of rickets in a baby. The daily intake of vitamin D is 400 IU.

In food, vitamin D is found in too small quantities, so talking about it simply does not make sense. But it is easily synthesized in the human body under the influence of sunlight. That is, in the summer, instead of taking certain drugs, you just need to be in the sun more often.

Which vitamins are best?

Taking vitamins during pregnancy is not at all mandatory, however, if you still decide to take them or have been prescribed them to you by a doctor, then you will face a difficult problem: how to choose vitamins during pregnancy?

The fact is that now there are a lot of different manufacturers of vitamin complexes in general, and multivitamins for pregnant women in particular. Almost all of them are good in their own way, and how do you determine which vitamins to take during pregnancy?

The content of vitamins and microelements in a particular complex, and in almost all complexes it is different.
The individual response of the body to specific drugs.

The list of vitamins for pregnant women is very extensive, and it is very difficult to understand all this diversity. To facilitate this process, we want to provide a comparative table of vitamins for pregnant women.

Nicotinamide (Vitamin PP) 20 mg

vitamins

vitamins	Elevit	materna	Vitrum Prenatal Forte	Complivit Mom	Alphabet Mom's health	Pregnavit (capsules)	Multi-tabs Perinatal
Vitamin A	3600 IU	5000 IU	2500 IU	1650 IU	1650 IU	3000ME	2666 IU
Vitamin D3	500 IU	400 IU	400 IU	250 IU	250 IU	200ME	200 IU
Vitamin E	15 mg	30 mg	30 mg	20 mg	12 mg	10 mg	10 mg
Vitamin C	100 mg	100 mg	120 mg	100 mg	50 mg	75 mg	90 mg
Folic acid (vitamin B9)	800 mcg	1 mg	800 mcg	400 mcg	300 mcg	750 mcg	400 mcg
Vitamin B1	1.6 mg	3 mg	3 mg	2 mg	1.2 mg	1.5 mg	2.1 mg
Vitamin B2	1.8 mg	3.4 mg	3.4 mg	2 mg	1 mg	2.5 mg	2.4 mg
Vitamin B6	2.6 mg	10 mg	10 mg	5 mg	2 mg	5 mg	3 mg
Vitamin B12	4 mcg	12 mcg	12 mcg	5 mcg	3 mcg	5 mcg	2 mcg
Nicotinamide	19 mg	20 mg	20 mg	20 mg	19 mg	15 mg	27 mg
Biotin	200 mcg	30 mcg	30 mcg		30 mcg
Calcium pantothenate (vitamin B5)	10 mg	10 mg	10 mg	10 mg	5 mg	10 mg	9 mg
Betacarotene			2500 IU

trace elements

trace elements	Elevit	materna	Vitrum Prenatal Forte	Complivit Mom	Alphabet Mom's health	Pregnavit (capsules)	Multi-tabs Perinatal
Calcium	125 mg	250 mg	200 mg	25 mg	250 mg	250 mg	160 mg
Magnesium	100 mg	25 mg	25 mg	25 mg	50 mg		75 mg
Phosphorus	125 mg			19 mg	125 mg
Iron	60 mg	60 mg	60 mg	10 mg	20 mg	30 mg	14 mg
Zinc	7.5 mg	25 mg	25 mg	10 mg	12 mg		15 mg
Copper	1 mg	2 mg	2 mg	2 mg	1 mg		2 mg
Manganese	1 mg	5 mg	5 mg	2.5 mg	1 mg		2.5 mg
Iodine		150 mcg	150 mcg		150 mcg		150 mcg
Molybdenum		25 mcg	25 mcg		25 mcg
Chromium		25 mcg	25 mcg		25 mcg		50 mcg
Selenium			20 mcg		40 mcg		50 mcg
Taurine (amino acid)					50 mg

Many people have a question Are pregnant women entitled to free vitamins?? Vitamins are really required, especially if a woman has indications for this. However, it should be understood that they will give you quite specific vitamins for free and you will not have the opportunity to choose. Bearing in mind that many women do not like to work with tables and numbers, below we will consider the most common vitamin complexes and give them a brief description.

Vitamins for pregnant women Pregnavit : today it is perhaps the most popular complex in pregnant women in our country. However, it lacks iodine and some trace elements. Stopping your choice on it, it is important to consider this moment.

Vitamins for pregnant women Elevit : This vitamin complex has a high magnesium content, so it is often prescribed to women with a threatened miscarriage. However, the composition of the complex does not include such a microelement as iodine.

Vitamins for pregnant women Alphabet : the complex is different in that different vitamins and elements in it are separated into different tablets, painted in certain colors. This allows you to divide in time the intake of substances that conflict with each other. In addition, this also allows you to simply refuse one of the tablets in the presence of an allergy. The complex of vitamins for pregnant women contains iodine, which is clearly its plus.

Vitamins for pregnant women Vitrum Prenatal Forte : These prenatal vitamins contain iron in the required amounts. Therefore, the complex is very useful for women suffering from anemia. Equally important is the presence of folic acid in the composition of vitamins, and such important trace elements as iodine and antioxidants (selenium, manganese, molybdenum).

Vitamins for pregnant women Complevit Mom : in the complex, the content of iodine, vitamin A, D and vitamins B6 and B12 for pregnant women is significantly lower compared to other vitamins. On the one hand, this can be considered a minus of the complex. On the other hand, this complex is suitable for those who are sure that they receive all these vitamins with food.

Vitamins for pregnant women Centrum Materna : one of the few complexes that contains folic acid and iodine, but it contains a high content of vitamins A and B, which means that you should not take it without consulting a doctor. Do not opt for these vitamins and those who are prone to allergies.

Vitamins for pregnant women Multi-tabs Prenatal : the complex can be considered basic, suitable for a normal, without pathology ongoing pregnancy.

Vitamins for pregnant women Femibion : this is the newest complex of vitamins, which include a special, easily digestible form of folic acid. It does not contain iron and vitamin A, since the first is far from being absorbed with every vitamin. And vitamin A is too dangerous in case of an overdose, and according to European doctors, there should be additional reasons for prescribing a drug with its content.

Vitamins for pregnant women Amway : These vitamins cause a huge amount of controversy: someone is completely delighted with the use of these vitamins, someone is embarrassed that they are not sold in a pharmacy, but by people without a medical education. It makes sense to familiarize yourself with all the certificates, composition, and so on, and make a decision on this basis. The convenience of vitamins from Amway is that almost all the vitamins in them are placed in different tablets, and a woman can select an individual composition.

Vitamins for pregnant women Emfetal : vitamins are new on the Russian market, and therefore raise many questions. Many women are afraid to buy something new, and prefer old and proven products.

Vitamins for pregnant women Pregnakeya : also new and inexpensive vitamins. Reviews about them are still very controversial and ambiguous. These vitamins contain almost all the necessary vitamins and minerals, including folic acid, iodine and iron.

In conclusion, I would like to say once again that it is best to try to balance your diet in such a way that you simply do not need to take vitamins. However, if the lack of vitamins still bothers you, be sure to consult your doctor.

Keep in mind that you can always run into individual intolerance certain vitamins. This is usually expressed in weakness, nausea and other similar sensations. In this case, it is better to stop taking vitamins and ask your doctor to prescribe you a new drug. Approximately 2/3 of all negative reviews about any vitamins fall precisely on cases of individual intolerance.

In addition, do not forget that synthetic vitamins greatly increase the load on the liver. Therefore, it is recommended to drink vitamins in courses: drink for 1 month, take a break for 1-2 weeks, and only then resume taking vitamins. Be healthy!

I like!

Properly composed diet for the period of pregnancy is the key to the health of the expectant mother and her baby. But even the highest quality and diverse food products are not able to provide the body with all the necessary substances necessary for the successful gestation and full development of the fetus. Vitamins for pregnant women, produced in the form of pharmacological preparations, will help to cover the increased need for mineral components and organic compounds.

According to research conducted by the World Health Organization, women who are well-nourished need only folic acid and iron supplements. Pregnant women, whose diet is far from recommended by doctors, must, in addition to the above substances, also take multivitamin complexes that will make up for the deficiency of components that are indispensable for the development of the child.

In general, the appointment of certain drugs is carried out in accordance with the individual characteristics of each woman, taking into account the anamnesis, age, climatic conditions and working conditions. Be sure to prescribe multivitamins for multiple pregnancies, vegetarian women, chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and the presence of bad habits.

If a second pregnancy occurs less than two years after the previous one, it is necessary to drink vitamins.

There are also opponents of taking synthetic drugs, who consider it inappropriate to include them in the diet. In their opinion, all useful substances can be obtained from food, as it was in the days of our ancestors. However, the statement does not stand up to scrutiny, since the quality of food today leaves much to be desired. Therefore, you should not risk your own health and the condition of the baby, guided by these statements.

Vital prenatal vitamins

Currently, scientists know 13 vitamins, each of which has a certain effect on the human body. All of them are involved in the physiological and biochemical processes occurring in organs and tissues, act on metabolism and prevent various changes and disorders in cells. At the stage of pregnancy, the most important are 4 vitamins and 3 chemical elements.

Vitamin B9. Participates in the formation of the neural tube and the brain of the unborn baby. Folic acid contributes to the proper development of the placenta, serves as a prevention of miscarriages, missed pregnancy and fetal defects.
Vitamin A. Participates in the development of bone tissue, mucous membranes and retina, promotes the production of red blood cells and ensures optimal blood counts.
Vitamin C. Increases immunity and resistance to pathogenic bacteria, facilitates the absorption of iron.
Vitamin E. It plays an important role in the development of the placenta, regulates blood circulation and blood clotting, prepares the lungs of the baby, reduces the risk of anemia and the threat of self-abortion.
Calcium. It is part of the bone, connective tissues, dentin, contributes to the proper development of internal organs, skin, eyes.
Iodine. It helps the fetus to receive hormones from the mother's body, ensures the formation of a healthy brain, genital organs, heart muscle, and the musculoskeletal system.
Iron. It serves as an anemia prevention, participates in the delivery of oxygen to the growing fetus.

The best vitamins for pregnant women should contain at least all of the listed substances and additional components that can be prescribed by a doctor according to indications.

The norm of vitamins during gestation

The rate of consumption of certain organic and inorganic compounds differ in individuals of different categories. For women bearing a child, the following vitamin standards are established:

B9 - 0.8-1 mg;
B1 - 1.5-2.0 mg;
B5 - 4-7 mg;
A - up to 2500 IU;
D - 400-600 IU;
E - 10-15 IU;
B2 - 1.5-2.0 mg;
B6 - 2.5 mg;
B12 - 3.0-4.0 mcg;
B3 - 15-20 mg;
C - 70-100 mg;
K - 65-80 mcg;
H - 30-100 mcg.

Of the trace elements, calcium (1000-1200 mg), phosphorus (1200 mg), magnesium (320-355 mg) and iron (30-60 mg) should be supplied to the mother's body most of all.

Vitamins by trimester

Every three months of pregnancy is a certain stage in the development of the organism of the developing fetus. As the child grows and develops in the mother's womb, the needs for certain substances coming from outside also change. Hypo-, hypervitaminosis, lack or excess of minerals can lead to serious consequences for the fetus and are fraught with a negative impact on a woman's health.

1st trimester

The first 12 weeks of gestation is the period of laying the fetal nervous system, which ensures the formation of mental functions after birth. For the favorable completion of this process, folic acid is responsible, which must be supplied in sufficient quantities.

Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) will help prevent toxicosis, convulsive symptoms and increased nervousness. He is also involved in the formation of the nervous system of the fetus, but the drug is prescribed from the eighth week of pregnancy. In order for pyridoxine to be well absorbed, it is taken along with the macronutrient magnesium.

Vitamin A is included in the diet at the end of the 1st trimester and continues to be consumed at the beginning of the second. Retinol will help maintain the correct proportions of the embryo, since at this time it begins to grow rapidly and increase in size.

2nd trimester

In this period, a woman is in dire need of calciferol - vitamin D for pregnant women ensures the active and rapid growth of the baby. The lack of this vitamin leads to the formation of intrauterine rickets - the bones do not acquire the necessary hardness, and the musculoskeletal system is formed incorrectly.

Tocopherol (vitamin E) must be included in the complex of vitamins of the second trimester. It has a beneficial effect not only on the growth and development of the child, but also ensures good uterine compliance, normal functioning of the placenta and reduces the risk of preterm birth.

Starting from the 12th week, the need for minerals increases, in particular, calcium and iron, since they are actively spent on building the skeleton and forming the baby's blood cells.

last trimester

There is no need for folic acid at this time, so it can be canceled. Until the end of pregnancy, you will have to take vitamins B6 and E, as well as iron and calcium supplements. They will support the fetus at the stage of the final formation of internal organs and will serve as a prevention of developmental delay.

Popular vitamin and mineral complexes

Women who are planning the birth of a baby and are responsible for their own health should listen to medical recommendations regarding the use of a complex of vitamins for pregnant women.

Modern pharmacological companies offer a large selection of drugs to maintain the health of the mother and the full development of the body of the future newborn. It is difficult to say which one is better or worse - each remedy has a useful composition aimed at solving a particular problem.

Elevit

Multivitamin complex, which is available in the form of grayish-yellow tablets. The product contains 12 vitamins (A, E, D3, C, group B, PP) and 7 minerals (manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, calcium, zinc, copper).

The dose of each substance is carefully selected in accordance with the needs of the mother's body and the growing fetus. Elevit is prescribed for the prevention of hypovitaminosis in women with malnutrition, as well as for individual indications. The recommended daily dose of the drug is 1 tablet.

Elevit pronatal tab. p.o. No. 100

Vitrum

The drug, developed by American pharmacists, is offered to customers in two forms: Prenatal and Forte. Both complexes are intended for pregnant women, but have a different composition and percentage of components. Vitrum Forte has a richer content of substances - this includes iodine, beta-carotene, calcium pantothenate, biotin, copper oxide, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and chromium.

Both versions are enriched with vitamins: A, E, C, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, B12, D3, as well as macro- and microelements - iron, calcium, zinc.

Vitrum Prenatal is taken as a prophylactic during gestation, and Forte is intended to solve specific problems of the physiological state of a pregnant woman.

Vitrum prenatal tab. p.p.o. #100

Femibion

A complex that contains the optimal amount of folate (folic acid) and nutrients (minerals). An additional element of the product is the patented substance metafolin, a biologically active form of vitamin B9, which is absorbed much better than folic acid in its usual form. Therefore, the drug is intended for patients than the body is not able to fully convert and absorb B9.

In addition to the 9-component vitamin mix, Femibion contains iodine, which is indispensable for the health and full functioning of the thyroid gland.

The form of the drug marked "1" is prescribed when planning conception and in the first 12 weeks of gestation, and with the marking "2" - starting from the second trimester of pregnancy.

Femibion natalker i tab. p.o. No. 30

Alphabet

The full name of the remedy is “Mom's Health Alphabet”. The peculiarity of the drug is that in one blister there are tablets of three colors - pink, blue and milky. Each of them is intended for use strictly at certain hours - respectively, in the morning, afternoon and evening.

The developers of the tool claim that this approach allows a pregnant woman or a nursing mother to receive 30% more nutrients compared to other popular complexes.

Each of the tablets in the composition has a certain list of nutrients and vitamins that are best absorbed at a specific time of day.

Alphabet classic tab. #60

Pregnacare

Multivitamin for pregnant women, produced in the form of gelatin capsules of dark brown color. The composition of the drug includes a standard set of vitamins and minerals with only one difference - there is no calcium in Pregnacare, so if this macronutrient is deficient, the drug will not work.

Otherwise, the complex has a beneficial effect on the body - it regulates metabolic processes, increases the defenses, immunity, vitality and physical activity of a pregnant woman, and prevents malformations of fetal development.

One capsule per day will be enough to make up for the deficiency of vital components.

Pregnacare caps. #30

materna

Materna is a prenatal vitamin, the positive effect of which is due to a carefully selected combination and concentration in combination with important nutrients.

Coated tablets contain vitamins B9, B5, B12, B2, B1, B6, C, E, D. Of the nutrients here are iron, manganese, zinc, iodine, chromium, selenium. Especially valuable is the content of calcium in the composition, the lack of which is extremely acutely felt in the last months of bearing a child.

The dose and regimen of taking the drug is developed by the attending physician in accordance with the individual needs of the pregnant woman.

Prenatal vitamins

The composition of these pills fully corresponds to the physiological needs of the female body in the process of bearing the fetus and provides it with 75% of useful substances.

Complivit Mama will be useful for nursing mothers and those who are just planning to conceive.

The components of Complivit are able to be absorbed into breast milk, which provides the baby with useful vitamins and minerals.

Complivit Mama for pregnant and lactating women tab. p / o captivity. #60

Multi-tabs Perinatal

The pharmacological agent is a source of folic acid and iodine, which contributes to the harmonious formation of the fetus and the optimization of the level of female hormones. The drug serves as a prevention of stillbirth, malformations of intrauterine development, malnutrition and vascular disorders of the embryo. The rich vitamin and mineral composition provides the mother's body with everything necessary for good health, good mood and easy pregnancy.

Tablets are taken orally without chewing once a day. It is necessary to drink the product with plenty of purified water for better absorption.

Multi-tabs perinatal tab. p / o captivity. #60

Other complexes

The list of multivitamin complexes for expectant mothers can be continued. Their composition is largely similar, but every woman gets the opportunity to choose the best drug for herself, which will not cause allergic reactions and will be feasible for the family budget.

What else do pharmacies offer:

emfetal;
Amway;
Pregnavit;
Magnelis;
Orthomol;
Fertilovit;
Pregnazon.

The advantage of vitamins in tablets is the ability to accurately control and regulate the dosage of nutrients, which is difficult to do when using familiar foods.

The importance of choosing drugs with a doctor

Any multivitamin complexes are not harmless drugs that a future woman in labor can prescribe herself. Excess substances, as well as their lack, can lead to serious consequences for the fetus and mother.

For example, the abuse of tocopherol leads to a violation of the functionality of platelets, a supersaturation of calciferol causes calcification of the placenta and fetal skeleton, an overdose of ascorbic acid is fraught with kidney disease.

Therefore, doctors strongly advise not to self-prescribe drugs and strictly follow the dosage prescribed by the gynecologist. Pharmaceuticals often cause allergic reactions, so you have to review their intake and select products that will be well tolerated by the female body.

Individual characteristics, anamnesis, living conditions, blood counts - all this should be assessed by the doctor before prescribing this or that vitamin complex.

Simultaneous intake of several drugs containing a complex of vitamins and nutrients is not recommended during pregnancy.

Conclusion

Pregnancy is a wonderful and at the same time difficult period in a woman's life. Properly organized nutrition will saturate the body with the necessary substances for the successful bearing and feeding of the child.

But vitamin preparations cannot be ignored either - they will allow you to clearly control the intake of the most important components in the diet and serve as a prevention of serious pathologies of the embryo.