It is wise to supplement with multivitamin/mineral to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Supplementing with a quality prenatal multivitamin is necessary because even a well-balanced diet does not provide adequate nutrition for a woman and her growing child.

Pregnant women generally do not get the required nutrients from food alone. Mothers particularly in need of supplementation are those who are younger than 15 or older than 35, those who are expecting a multiple birth and those who are vegan. Supplementation is even more important if the mother smokes or drinks (poor nutritional status to start with). RDAs for some nutrients double during pregnancy, in particular, pregnant women need increased amount of iron, calcium and folic acid. A well-balanced diet generally provide RDA of all nutrients except elemental iron and folate, The typical American diet simply doesn't contain enough iron and folic acid to meet the needs of pregnant women. Besides, some women fear excess weight gain and limit their food intake during pregnancy. Nausea and appetite loss can also prevent women from eating enough.

Nutritional deficiencies in the mother's diet can lead to nutritional deficiencies for the baby. A pregnant or lactating woman is constantly "feeding" her child from the nutrients in her own body, so it's no surprise she rapidly depletes these vitamins and minerals. By using a multivitamin, a woman who eats well can increase her odds of providing adequate nutrition for her baby and preventing premature birth or birth defect. It is estimated that 75 percent of women within the reproductive age range are not taking a multivitamin. That means approximately 45 million American women could become pregnant with sub-optimal nutrition. A nutritionally compromised pregnancy can be difficult to identify, and the potential benefit of routine supplementation overshadows any risk that can be attributed.

1) IRON

Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most common pregnancy complications. More iron is required because the mother's blood volume increases to transport oxygen to the fetus. It is particularly critical in the last trimester of pregnancy when the fetus and the placenta store the mineral. Iron deficiency anemia can lead to a difficult labor. Decreased iron increases the mother's risk of preeclampsia (elevated blood pressure and edema) and of death if hemorrhage occurs at delivery. Screening for iron deficiency anemia is recommended at the first prenatal visit and thereafter, as indicated.

2) FOLIC ACID

This water-soluble B vitamin is incorporated in the body into a coenzyme necessary for DNA synthesis and cell replication, which is vital to cell growth and is critical to fetal development. Folic acid is recognized as the paramount prenatal supplement. Deficiency of Folic acid in pregnancy has been linked with maternal megaloblastic anemia and fetal neural tube defects in the developing fetus. In 1996, FDA reported that approximately 2,500 infants are born with a neural tube defect in the United States each year. Half of these defects are thought to be related to inadequate folic acid intake by the mother. After reviewing the evidence that folic acid supplementation can prevent such birth defects, FDA in 1998 ordered that enriched grain flours be fortified with folic acid.

The neural tube, the part of the fetus that develops into the brain and spinal cord, is subject to two major types of defects. If the neural tube does not close properly at the top, anencephaly (absence of a brain) results. These babies die at birth. If the closure is incomplete further down the neural tube, spina bifida occurs, leaving the spinal cord exposed. This usually leads to paralysis and potentially mental retardation.

To effectively prevent these defects, folic acid must be present in the diet before conception, thus the rationale to fortify the food supply.

4) Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

Research suggests docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid, is critical to a healthy baby and a healthy pregnancy.

• DHA is essential for brain and eye development of the fetus. Maternal blood supply of DHA is vital to embryonic development in the first few weeks of pregnancy when brain cell division is most active. Then, DHA content of the cerebrum and cerebellum increases up to five times during the last trimester and again in the first 12 weeks after birth. A mother must keep her stores of DHA high to meet her fetus' needs-from conception through nursing. The retina, which also contains a high concentration of DHA, develops rapidly in the last half of pregnancy. Studies indicate that DHA is an essential nutrient for developing optimum visual acuity. It is important to supply DHA during pregnancy and during breast feeding so that a newborn can have the best chance at good vision
• Sufficient DHA may prevent premature births. The results of one preliminary study of 53 women suggest that eating DHA-enriched eggs could decrease the incidence of premature delivery and low-birth-weight.
• Low DHA levels may contribute to postpartum depression. Researchers suggest a link between DHA deficiency and depression. This may help explain the increased risk of depression among new mothers. .Many women's DHA stores decline during pregnancy and get lower with each successive child because a developing baby takes the fatty acids it needs from the mother's blood supply,.

In general, a well-balanced diets provides for women who are pregnant or lactating the RDA of nutrients such as

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Dr. Tsang wishes to share his knowledge & Opinion with the public regarding the importance of " Nutritional Supplements ". This is for your information only. Drugs have powerful effects on the body, so please don't abruptly stop taking any prescription medication. Always consult your physician or health care provider before you use any nutritional supplement or switch from drugs to natural health products.