Pregnancy vitamins and minerals supplements
When you're pregnant, even if you eat the most healthy diet - a balanced diet replete with green leafy vegetables - your body could still be lacking in essential vitamins and minerals.
Pregnancy vitamins are a great way to ensure your body gets the right amount of vitamins and minerals it needs not just to stay healthy, but to be able to support a healthy pregnancy too.
Right now you will need more nutrients than usual because you’re growing a baby, making it difficult for your body to get enough nutrition from food for it and to sustain the new life growing within.
Prenatal vitamins are not the same as regular vitamins; pre-natal vitamins contain extra folic acid, iron and calcium. They also contain more vitamin D.
Make sure you talk to your doctor or midwife before taking a daily supplement during pregnancy. They can advise which ones you should take, how much and when.
Why pregnant women need folic acid supplements
Folic acid is a B vitamin that is essential for the formation of red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your body. It also helps your body create new cells and assists in the production of DNA.
In unborn babies, folic acid plays an important role in the development of the baby's nervous system. In particular it helps prevent neural tube defects like spina bifida (a defect where part of the spinal cord doesn't form properly), and anencephaly (the incomplete closure of part or all of the skull), so it’s particularly important to take a folic acid supplement before and during pregnancy.
In addition to helping prevent these serious birth defects, getting enough folic acid can help prevent heart disease later on in life as well.
Why avoid vitamin A when pregnant
Unlike other fat-soluble vitamins, vitamin A is not water-soluble. This means that your body can't excrete it from its system like it does with water-soluble vitamins. It also means that too much of it can be toxic to your body, and the body of your unborn child.
Because vitamin A is found in so many foods, you don't need to take a supplement unless you're at risk of developing diseases related to vitamin A deficiency.
Essential pregnancy vitamin and mineral supplements
The following are some of the most important supplements for pregnant women:
Folic Acid
Folic acid, also known as folate or vitamin B9, is a vitamin that’s essential for the healthy development of your baby. Folic acid keeps your baby’s brain and spinal cord healthy by helping to prevent certain birth defects in these areas, like spina bifida and other neural tube defects.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that helps to maintain healthy teeth, gums and bones. It's also an antioxidant that can help support your immune system during pregnancy.
Vitamin C is an important nutrient for pregnant women because it's needed for collagen production, which helps keep your skin healthy. It also helps strengthen blood vessels in the body - including those that supply blood to the placenta.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is important for overall health, especially when you're pregnant because it helps build strong bones in your baby and promotes healthy immune function. A lack of vitamin D can lead to conditions such as osteoporosis later on in life, so make sure you get plenty while carrying a child!
Another reason pregnant women should try to get enough Vitamin D is research indicates low levels of vitamin D during pregnancy may increase the risk of developing postpartum depression (PPD) later on.
Iron
Iron is one of the most important minerals for pregnant women to take. Iron is necessary for the creation of red blood cells, as well as carrying oxygen throughout your body, which helps you stay healthy and energised during pregnancy.
Iron supplements are recommended if you're deficient in this mineral. Iron deficiency (anaemia) is common among women who are expecting—and it can be dangerous for both mother and child if left untreated.
Iron deficiency usually manifests itself as extreme fatigue or weakness; if this happens to you, talk with your doctor about taking an iron supplement.
Calcium
Calcium is a mineral that helps to build strong bones and teeth. Your body needs calcium to stay healthy, especially during pregnancy.
Calcium is also essential for the development of the baby's bones and teeth, as well as the placenta and baby's brain development. Calcium helps keep blood pressure normal by making sure that kidneys are working properly. It also plays an important role in muscle contraction.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 plays a role in red blood cell formation, immunity, DNA synthesis and tissue development—all things that are essential for your baby’s growth during those nine months.
Vitamin B12 is also key to healthy nerve function, which is important for keeping your body and brain in good shape. It also supports your baby's nervous system as it develops throughout the first trimester.
Sealions vitamin supplements for pregnancy
Our range of pregnancy supplements have been created to support the health of the mother and the unborn baby.
Pregnancy Multivitamin Tablets
These tablets increase maternal folic acid intake, support formulation of red blood cells, and help to regulate hormonal activity.
These iron supplements for daily energy and immunity support help with the formulation of red blood cells, support the immune system, and reduce tiredness and fatigue.
Our B vitamin complex contains all 8 essential B vitamins to keep both mother and baby healthy.
Omega 3 fatty acids are essential for normal heart function, as a source of essential EPA and DHA fatty acids, as well as protect both mother and baby's cells against oxidative stress.
Also known as the sunshine supplement, vitamin D helps support the immune system, and maintains healthy bones and teeth.
High-quality pregnancy supplements that don't cost the earth
It can be hard to find a prenatal vitamin that is high quality and low cost. But Sealions' range contains all the nutrients you need to support not just your pregnant body, but your developing baby too. Our supplements start from as little as £5 for a year's supply.
Even better, not only do our supplements deliver the key nutrients both you and your unborn baby need, they're also kind to the environment.
At Sealions, our compostable packing is eco friendly, helping us lower our carbon footprint as well as lower our margins. Which means you get to take care of your health and your pregnancy, without worrying about the expense.
Start taking prenatal vitamins from Sealions today
And even better, we offer speedy delivery on all of our products. To find out more about our range of prenatal vitamins, get in touch with our friendly team today.
Our range of prenatal vitamins offer all the vitamins and minerals you need to keep yourself and your unborn baby healthy. And with folic acid added, you can be sure that you're getting enough nutrients at this most special time in your life.
