Supplements
Date added: 08/04/09
Folates & folic acid
Folates and folic acid belong to the vitamin B family and are very important during the first trimester of pregnancy. Recent studies have shown that women who take enough folates and folic acid drastically reduce the rates of giving birth to a baby with neural tube defects, such as spina bifida or anencepathy. Neural tube defects are one of the most common developmental problems. This is a failure of the brain and the spinal cord to develop properly during the first four weeks of pregnancy. By twelve weeks the baby’s neural tube has formed completely and the vulnerable period has passed.
Folates are found naturally in foods such as leafy green vegetables, oranges and bananas, spinach, broccoli and baked beans. It is advisable to take folic acid as a supplement and to eat foods that are high in folic acid, such as bread and cereals. Taken as a supplement it is more readily absorbable than through food alone. The recommended daily dose is 400mcg each day.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is synthesised in the skin when it is exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet light. Vitamin D is vital for the absorption of calcium and for your baby’s bone and teeth development. Pregnant women who do not have enough exposure to direct sunlight or do not consume dairy products at advisable levels should consult their GP or obstetrician about the possibility of needing a vitamin D supplementation.
Dr Kotevska normally checks all her pregnant patients for vitamin D levels with the first antenatal bloods and again at 28 weeks. The recommended daily intake of vitamin D is approximately 10mcg.
Calcium
Calcium is a mineral, which is needed for the formation and maintenance of strong bones and healthy teeth. The sources for calcium is milk, cheese, yogurt, soy products and lactose-modified milk.
Smaller quantities of calcium can be found in tofu, fish with edible bones such as sardines and salmon, almonds and calcium fortified breakfast cereals. Two to three serves of calcium rich sources are required per day.
