Supplements: How to Know What Is Safe During Pregnancy

Most pregnant mothers already understand the importance of getting the right nutrients for them and their growing baby. During pregnancy, your macronutrient intake needs will significantly increase, which means that you need to eat more carbs, proteins, and fats in order to support both your needs. Supplements are a great way to ensure that you’re able to meet these nutritional requirements. However, some supplements may present problems for expecting mothers.

Here are a few things to think about if you are expecting and are considering taking supplements:

Nutrient Deficiencies

A nutrient deficiency is detected through a blood test. When a nutrient deficiency is detected, your doctor may prescribe supplements to help compensate for the deficiency.

Dietary Restrictions

Dietary supplements may also be prescribed in case the patient is allergic to the food they need. Women who follow specific diets like vegan or ketogenic diets may need to supplement the nutrients that these diets do not cover.

Multiple Pregnancies

Women who are carrying more than one baby have a significantly higher nutritional requirement because they need to nourish more babies. In this instance, dietary supplements may help fill in the nutritional gaps without forcing the mother to eat too much food.

Which Supplements Are Safe for Consumption By Pregnant Women?

Your doctor will be the person to determine which supplements are safe to consume. You should purchase your supplements only from a reputable brand, as they almost always adhere strictly to FDA standards and they are likely to have undergone clinical trials to ensure the safety and effectiveness of their products. 

Some safe supplements are:

Prenatal Vitamins

Folate Iron

Vitamin D

Magnesium

Fish Oil

Ginger

Probiotics

Choline

Supplements to Avoid

Firstly, it is important to always consult your doctor before taking any supplements. While there are many supplements that are safe to use, some of these supplements are best avoided, such as:

Vitamin A

Vitamin E

Black Cohosh

Goldenseal

Dong Quai

Yohimbe

Vitamin A and Vitamin E are both essential nutrients that help with the development of your child, but these nutrients can easily be consumed from food and prenatal vitamins, which is why it is unnecessary to take them as supplements. And in some cases, it may even be dangerous because they are fat-soluble. Fat-soluble vitamins get stored in the liver, which can cause liver damage.

The other supplements are used to treat menstrual cramps, but they have been proven to induce contractions, which significantly increases the risk for a miscarriage. There are many reasons why you might need to use supplements during pregnancy, and all of them require the recommendation of your doctor.

Nutrition is one of the more complicated aspects of pregnancy, which is why you should go for checkups regularly. Always listen to your doctor, and never withhold information regarding your pregnancy.