Pregnancy is a transformative experience that requires proper nutrition to promote the mother's health and the perfect development of the baby.

While a well-balanced diet lays the foundation, supplements fill in the gap during pregnancy for nutritional demands. Here's a detailed view of the best supplements to consider during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester.

Why Supplements During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy raises a woman's nutritional requirements to ensure the proper growth and development of the fetus she carries within herself and to maintain her health. Some nutrients are very significant, which can be challenging to acquire from food alone. Supplements during pregnancy fill in those nutritional gaps so that the mother as well as the baby can receive essential nourishment.

Best Pregnancy Supplements to Consider

Pregnancy is not just a physiological condition but also puts great bodily demands on women, so they need to take some supplements in their diet for nourishment of the developing baby and maternal health as well. Here is a comprehensive view of the best pregnancy supplements for you to consider:

1. Prenatal Multivitamins

Prenatal multivitamins provide the required nutrition that a woman needs during pregnancy. They are doubled up with more vitamins and minerals compared to any regular multivitamins.

Folic Acid (Vitamin B9): Folic Acid prevents birth defects that involve the brain and spinal cord. Pregnant women must take 400-800 mg folic acid.

Iron: Iron helps to maintain the increased blood volume with no danger of developing anemia during pregnancy. The recommended dosage is twenty-seven milligrams a day.

Calcium: Calcium is one of the very required pregnancy nutrients because it helps with the improvement of the bones and teeth of the baby.

Vitamin D: Vitamin D contributes to enhanced absorption of calcium and maintains bone health. Doctors advise taking 600 IU of Vitamin D during pregnancy.

Iodine: Iodine is essential for the proper functioning of the thyroid and the development of the baby's brain. The needed amount in a day is 220 micrograms.

Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 is involved in the formation of red blood cells and the health of the nervous system. The needed amount in a day is 2.6 micrograms.

2. DHA Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplement

DHA is also known as omega-3 fatty acid and aids in the development of brains and eyes. DHA supplements during pregnancy can reduce the risks associated with premature birth and increase the cardiovascular health of the mother while helping in forming the child's brain as well as his/her eye. It can be obtained from fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines. However, one can be supplied through algae-based supplements among vegetarians or vegans.

3. Iron Supplement

Iron forms part of the essential nutrients needed by a woman when she is pregnant because it will help in the production of hemoglobin, that protein of red blood cells whose role is to deliver oxygen throughout the body. Sources of iron are red meat, poultry, fish, lentils, beans, spinach, and iron supplements. The recommended daily intake of iron for pregnant women is 27 milligrams. Proper iron consumption supports the prevention of iron deficiency anemia, helps in maintaining the extra blood volume during pregnancy, and minimizes the risk of preterm delivery and delivery with low birth weight.

4. Calcium

Calcium is a critical nutrient for the development of fetal bones and teeth and also helps maintain the mother's bone health. Good sources of calcium in pregnant women include dairy products, like milk, cheese, and yogurt; leafy green vegetables, like kale and broccoli; as well as prepared foods and supplements that are fortified with calcium. These food sources guarantee an adequate supply of calcium to support fetal development of bones and teeth, prevent bone loss in the mother, and thereby decrease the risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.

5. Vitamin D

Vitamin D is one of the fat-soluble vitamins that serve to enhance the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the body. A primary source includes sunlight exposure, while others are fatty fish, fortified dairy products, egg yolks, and vitamin D supplements. Some of the advantages of vitamin D extend far beyond the prevention of osteomalacia or rickets, bone deformities in infants, or gestational diabetes and preeclampsia in mothers. Adequate vitamin intake is crucial for mother and baby during pregnancy.

6. Folic Acid

Folic acid is a B vitamin critical in DNA synthesis and cell division. It plays a vital role in preventing neural tube defects. It also facilitates the growth and development of a baby's brain and spinal cord when the fetus is under formation. Intake of the best folic acid in pregnancy decreases the risk of other congenital anomalies. Pregnant women should take supplements and consume foods rich in folic acid to enable the healthy growth and development of their babies.

7. Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 contributes to the production of red blood cells and the proper functioning of the nervous system. If adequately supplied, it might help me prevent megaloblastic anemia during pregnancy and promotes the normal development of the fetal brain and nervous system. Vitamin B12 supplementation is therefore an important source of maternal health, particularly for vegetarians and vegans, whose dietary sources are limited and are thus likely to suffer a deficiency.

Supplements For the First Trimester

The first trimester is an important phase of rapid growth and fetal formation. It is during this stage that folic acid intake must be ensured sufficiently to prevent neural tube defects and support general well-being among mothers. Prenatal vitamins containing folic acid, besides a balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, are necessary for ensuring the development and proper health of both mother and baby during early pregnancy.

Important Things to Remind Yourself of in the First Trimester

Talk to Your Healthcare Provider: Since every pregnancy is different, the best time to talk to your healthcare provider about taking supplements is before you start them. They can help you determine which supplements are appropriate for your pregnancy-related needs.

Quality of Supplements: Be sure to find a high-quality supplement from a well-known brand that pays attention to detail about the quality they are using. An ideal supplement provider should have a USP or NSF certification that sets comfort knowing the product will be reliable and safe for consumption.

Dietary Intake: Whenever possible, try to get nutrients from food sources first.

Trimacare pregnancy supplement helps maintain a healthy pregnancy.

Trimacare prenatal vitamins offer three-stage nutrition specially designed for pregnancy. Trimacare prenatal tablet is presented in three different sets as the nutritional requirements vary according to the different trimesters. Trimacare is an exclusive brand of prenatal multivitamins and is enriched with over 20 vital nutrients that are very important during the pregnancy period, such as Folate, Iron, Calcium, omega-3s, Iodine, and Zinc.

Trimacare pregnancy multivitamins for pregnant women are specially prepared by the experts as per World Health Organization guidelines and Indian Council of Medical Research. These are designed in the Multi-Micronutrients (MMN) or IFC (Iron, Folate, Calcium) paradigm by these organizations.

Conclusion

Supplements support both maternal and foetal health when dietary intake is inadequate. You would need supplements under your doctor's guidance, for instance, to meet the increased nutritional demand of pregnancy. This means that you are setting a good foundation for healthy pregnancy and the baby's well-being; so have a proactive approach to your nutrition for a healthy pregnancy.