“This is a product-provided, sponsored conversation that contains affiliate links.
I received Viactiv products for my own personal use.
All opinions, text and experiences are my own.” #BeActiv #ViactivBabyBump
We all heard how important it is to pay close attention to nutrition while pregnant. Between the food and the vitamins, it seems nearly impossible to remember everything. Add the home chores, the work, the other siblings and husband to watch after and you have yourself a Mission Impossible! Let’s talk more about the vitamins – an important topic and a center of so many questions. Should all women take the same vitamins while pregnant?
The first vitamin a doctor usually suggests once the pregnancy is established is a Folic Acid supplements. This addition is cheap and will make sure you are on track with your progress in the early stages of pregnancy. Folic acid prevents neural tube defects during pregnancy. All women should consume 400 micrograms per day from fortified foods and their prenatal supplement.Your doctor might also suggest an Iron supplement – make sure to eat before taking it as it would make me nauseous if taken on an empty stomach. Over 17% of pregnant woman are diagnosed with the iron deficiency in the US which increases the need for iron rich foods and supplementation.
Whenever you come for your first doctor appointment, the office staff will most likely put together a little care package for you with all kinds of literature as well as samples of the prenatal vitamins. Every time I got my samples, I made an effort of reading the ingredients and take the alternate route.
Just because the prenatal vitamins are prescribed by your doctor’s office, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is better than the ones you can get over the counter. Yes, it gets covered by insurance, but it usually falls into the lowest category, and you will still pay most of the costs. You also shouldn’t assume that the prenatal vitamin is the all-in-one solution: you will most likely still need to take additional vitamins.
Here are a few more vitamins to add to your prenatal care mix. These will add a high value of nutrition to your growing child and make sure that you have enough nutrients yourself.
Probiotic
Consider the fact that you have to stay away from most of the cold medications during pregnancy, the probiotic is a great way to boost yours and your baby’s immune system in a natural way. Probiotic works with your intestinal flora and builds your immune system from the inside.
Calcium
You will most likely find that your prenatal vitamins already contain calcium. However, most prenatal vitamins contain only small amounts of calcium (typically 300 mg.), because the calcium molecule is too large to put much in a combination pill. Calcium plays a major role in strengthening bones and teeth, as well as helping muscles (including the heart) and nerves function properly. Start your calcium requirements by stage/age.
While getting the daily recommended value of calcium is key (around 68% of women, in general, are calcium deficient), it’s particularly important for expectant mothers. A growing baby needs the calcium to build a healthy heart, as well as teeth, bones, muscles, and nerves. If the pregnant woman doesn’t provide enough calcium from her diet, the calcium needed is pulled from her bones, which puts her health at risk later in life. Also, if you have a thyroid deficiency and take Synthroid (like I do), know that this medication draws calcium out of your body as well, so you have to be super careful when it comes to your calcium intake.
Did you know that during pregnancy a woman has to take 1000 mg of calcium daily (more if you take medication for the thyroid problem)? However, rather than swallowing a large calcium pill (twice daily), consider supplementing your daily calcium intake with Viactiv Calcium Soft Chews. It is exceptionally delicious, and it has so much more to bring to the table. Viactiv makes taking calcium enjoyable with tasty soft chews in milk chocolate and caramel flavors and also includes Vitamin D and Vitamin K.
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends 600 IU per day of Vitamin D for women including pregnant women. Ongoing research suggests that needs may be even higher as well as safe for improving maternal and infant Vitamin D status. Because food is not a good source of Vitamin D, supplementation is often necessary.
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Important note for those of you who is taking medications for thyroid deficiency:
Do not take your medicine at the same time as you do your calcium, Iron or even prenatal (or any other) vitamins as Synthroid’s absorption will interfere with calcium supplements. Wait for 3-4 hours between taking your thyroid meds and taking iron or calcium.
Iodine
Iodine is required for healthy brain development and growth however iodine deficiency is becoming more common. During pregnancy, iodine requirements increase. With the popularity and greater use of non-iodized salt many women are at risk for deficiency. The IOM recommends an iodine intake of 150 – 220 micrograms per day for pregnant women.
Viactiv Calcium Soft Chews are available in milk chocolate and caramel flavors at major retailers including CVS, Rite Aid, Target, and Walmart, as well as supermarkets nationwide. Print this coupon to save $2 on your next in-store purchase of Viactiv.
Learn more about Viactiv at www.Viactiv.com as well as their Facebook and Instagram pages.
This is a product-provided, sponsored conversation on behalf of Viactiv that contains affiliate links. I received Viactiv products for my own personal use. This post is not intended to address or diagnose any medical conditions. All opinions, text and experiences are my own. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please speak with your healthcare provider regarding any medical concerns.
FDA Disclaimer:
Please talk with your doctor regarding any concerns before taking any supplements. This post is not intended to address or diagnose any medical conditions. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
