Vitamins and Supplements During Pregnancy
Just like your body needs about 300 extra calories a day during pregnancy, it also needs more vitamins to make sure your baby gets the nutrients needed for healthy growth and development.
Along with eating a nutrient-rich diet, taking the right prenatal vitamins and supplements is a simple way to make sure your body gets the extra vitamins it needs, especially if your diet doesn’t provide enough.
It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor or OB/GYN to find out which prenatal vitamins and supplements are best for you and your baby.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, the following daily amounts of vitamins and nutrients (from food and prenatal vitamins) are generally recommended during pregnancy:
Calcium
Folate (or Folic acid)
Iodine
Iron
Vitamin A
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Vitamin B12
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Zinc
1000-1300 mg
400-800 mcg
(1000 mcg max)
150 mcg
27 mg
700 mcg
(1000 mcg max)
1.4 mg
1.4 mg
18 mg
(35 mg max)
1.9 mg
(100 mg max)
2.6 mcg
70-85 mg
(2000 mg max)
400-600 IU
(4000 IU max)
10 mg
(1000 mg max)
11-13 mg
Calcium
Folate (or Folic acid)
Iodine
Iron
Vitamin A
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Vitamin B12
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Zinc
1000-1300 mg
400-800 mcg (1000 mcg max)
150 mcg
27 mg
700 mcg (1000 mcg max)
1.4 mg
1.4 mg
18 mg (35 mg max)
1.9 mg (100 mg max)
2.6 mcg
70-85 mg (2000 mg max)
400-600 IU(4000 IU max)
10 mg (1000 mg max)
11-13 mg
Studies show that taking DHA and EPA supplements may help lower the risk of premature birth and support your baby’s brain and eye development. DHA and EPA are types of omega-3 fatty acids, and the American Pregnancy Association recommends:
- 300 mg of DHA per day during pregnancy
- 625 mg DHA + 410 mg EPA per day while breastfeeding
It’s always important to talk to your doctor before taking any vitamins or supplements. A simple blood test can check for vitamin deficiencies and help determine what your body needs.
While the body can flush out extra vitamins, some can be harmful in high doses, including Vitamins A, B6, C, D, and E. Taking too much of these may pose risks to both you and your baby.
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