Most doctors prescribe Calcium and Iron supplements from the 2nd trimester onwards. These supplements are required for the well-being of the rapidly developing fetus and the mother. One must regularly take these pills as recommended by the doctor.
The volume of blood increases by almost 50 percent in a pregnant woman as she needs to nourish the baby in her womb. This increases the need for hemoglobin and consequently iron which is essential for the production of the former. Pregnant women are prone to developing anemia as their iron requirements may not be met through food. This is especially true for vegan and vegetarian women. As compared to non-vegetarian sources, iron from vegetarian sources is much more difficult to absorb. Hence doctors prescribe an iron supplement even though one has good eating habits.
As Vitamin C helps in the absorption of iron, it is advised to have lime juice/orange juice along with one's iron supplement.
The baby's skeletal development is much rapid during the 2nd and 3rd trimester. Nature meets this requirement from the mother's calcium intake, bypassing her own body's need for calcium. Therefore pregnant women are advised to take calcium so that they do not suffer from osteoporosis at a later stage. Also adequate calcium consumption helps prevent women from developing preeclampsia. Most doctors prescribe a Calcium and vitamin D supplement which is vital for the former's assimilation by the body.
Foods rich in calcium are milk, yogurt, cheese, broccoli, kidney beans, dried peas and beans. While sunlight is the best source of Vitamin D, it also occurs in eggs, fish and fortified milk. Along with these, one should take a calcium supplement regularly. Infact the body needs calcium even after the baby is born. Women should continue their calcium supplements for as long as they are breastfeeding.
Take care to avoid taking calcium with you iron supplements as they both interfere with each other's absorption.
Usually doctors recommend a calcium supplement with lunch and an iron supplement post dinner. But they can be reversed if the iron at dinner is causing acid reflux.
The volume of blood increases by almost 50 percent in a pregnant woman as she needs to nourish the baby in her womb. This increases the need for hemoglobin and consequently iron which is essential for the production of the former. Pregnant women are prone to developing anemia as their iron requirements may not be met through food. This is especially true for vegan and vegetarian women. As compared to non-vegetarian sources, iron from vegetarian sources is much more difficult to absorb. Hence doctors prescribe an iron supplement even though one has good eating habits.
As Vitamin C helps in the absorption of iron, it is advised to have lime juice/orange juice along with one's iron supplement.
The baby's skeletal development is much rapid during the 2nd and 3rd trimester. Nature meets this requirement from the mother's calcium intake, bypassing her own body's need for calcium. Therefore pregnant women are advised to take calcium so that they do not suffer from osteoporosis at a later stage. Also adequate calcium consumption helps prevent women from developing preeclampsia. Most doctors prescribe a Calcium and vitamin D supplement which is vital for the former's assimilation by the body.
Foods rich in calcium are milk, yogurt, cheese, broccoli, kidney beans, dried peas and beans. While sunlight is the best source of Vitamin D, it also occurs in eggs, fish and fortified milk. Along with these, one should take a calcium supplement regularly. Infact the body needs calcium even after the baby is born. Women should continue their calcium supplements for as long as they are breastfeeding.
Take care to avoid taking calcium with you iron supplements as they both interfere with each other's absorption.
Usually doctors recommend a calcium supplement with lunch and an iron supplement post dinner. But they can be reversed if the iron at dinner is causing acid reflux.
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