For those of us who are pregnant or are trying to be, it’s important that we get or have all of the necessary nutrients in order to keep our baby safe, grow and develop well, and are born safely. Taking prenatal vitamins and eating healthy foods can help give you all that delicious goodness! Because you’re literally growing a human inside your body, you need more of these nutrients than before. If you’re on the hunt for a prenatal, it’s important that you find one that ticks all of the boxes. We’ve done some research to find out what the most important supplements are to take during pregnancy (or that your prenatal vitamin should include). Keep reading for more! As always, speak to your doctor and get their okay.
These Are the Best Prenatals to Take
1) Choline
For a baby’s growth and development, choline is essential. It helps with the development of the baby’s hippocampus, which is an area of the brain connected to memory, according to TheraLogix. For those of us who do not consume meat, it’s especially important to make sure you’re getting enough choline.
2) Copper
Copper is a trace mineral that is found in all plant and animal tissue and helps form red blood cells. You especially need it during pregnancy because your blood supply actually doubles when you are pregnant! It helps to form your baby’s heart, blood vessels, skeletal and nervous systems, according to Baby Center. Wow! We’ll definitely be taking copper as one of our prenatal supplements.
3) Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps our pregnant bodies absorb calcium, and is critical for bone health. Less Vitamin D means getting more sick, losing bone and hair, and more back pain. You can get Vitamin D from getting sunlight, but while you’re preggers, it’s important you make sure to get this vitamin in!
4) Magnesium
Magnesium is essential and we must get it for our health, even when we’re pregnant. It’s super important for energy production, stress reduction, sleep, and muscle and nerve function. Try to find a supplement with at least 300 milligrams of magnesium.
Zinc is good for pregnant people and those under stress, which you can imagine is probably everyone. Zinc is super important for immune health and helps our body use carbs, fat, and protein for energy. The average American diet doesn’t include zinc, so definitely, definitely take this supplement if you can.
7) Iron
As a pregnant woman, you might be restricting some food for the health of your baby, so it’s important to make sure you get enough iron. It is great for increased energy, better brain function, and healthy red blood cells. Typically, this comes from eating red meat but taking it as a supplement can help too.
8) Folate
Folate is folic acid and is great for pregnant women. But if you want nice nails, have depression or inflammation, this can help too. Folate is one of the most important prenatal supplements to take when you are prenant.
9) Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12 is great for keeping your nerves and blood cells healthy. They also make DNA (super important for baby!). For our vegan and vegetarian mamas-to-be out there, you are prone to having this deficiency, so if you are either, definitely look into taking this supplement.