Prenatal Multi Nourishing Mom & Baby
By Dawn Thorpe Jarvis , M . S ., R . D ., L . D . N . Garden of Life ® Senior Director of Nutrition Science & Educational Content
A NUTRITIONALLY DEMANDING TIME
There ’ s so much to think about during pregnancy , including the right nutrition to give your baby the best start in life — which is where a prenatal multi can come in . The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that all women of childbearing age take a daily multivitamin supplement containing folic acid — although we prefer folate , which occurs naturally in food — to reduce the risk of neural tube defects should pregnancy occur . The dietary recommended intake for folate is 400 micrograms per day before pregnancy , 600 micrograms per day during pregnancy and 500 micrograms per day while breastfeeding .
Pregnancy and breastfeeding are the most nutritionally demanding times of a woman ’ s life . The body needs enough nutrients every day to support the growth of the baby and also to support the maintenance of the mother ’ s body . During pregnancy , the mother ’ s blood volume increases , more red blood cells are needed to carry oxygen and a greater plasma volume is needed to cope with the large increases in blood flow to organs . A healthy woman carrying a normal-sized fetus , with an average birth weight of approximately seven pounds , will increase her plasma volume by an average of about 50 percent , which is three extra pints !
In addition to folate , getting enough iron along with vitamins B6 and B12 is important to support the increased production of healthy red blood cells and increased blood volume . Iron reduces the risk of pre – term and low – birth – weight babies , and helps to avoid anemia , which is common in pregnancy and linked to fatigue .
The National Institutes of Mental Health has concluded that it is vital that the mother get enough vitamin D while pregnant in order for the baby ’ s brain to develop properly . Some doctors believe that there is a link between rampant vitamin D deficiency and the huge jump in autism statistics seen in recent years .
A study by the Environmental Working Group concluded that babies are exposed to more than 200 harmful chemicals before they are even born ! Umbilical cord samples taken during pregnancy have showed babies are exposed to flame retardants , pesticides and many other toxins . So pregnancy is the time to go organic .
Make sure you and your baby get what you need — before , during and after pregnancy . Eat clean wholesome organic foods and use a Certified USDA Organic Prenatal multi .
14 Extraordinary Health ™ • Vol 30