What Vitamins Should Pregnant Women Avoid?

If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, it is important to know which vitamins should be avoided during pregnancy. Learn more about prenatal vitamins here.

What Vitamins Should Pregnant Women Avoid?

If you are pregnant, it is important to be aware of the vitamins and supplements that should be avoided. Vitamin A (retinol) is one of the most important vitamins to avoid, as too much can harm your baby's development. Liver and liver-derived products, such as fish liver oil, are also high in vitamin A and should be avoided. Prenatal vitamins are specifically designed for pregnant women or women who are trying to get pregnant and contain more of the nutrients needed during pregnancy.

Your healthcare provider can prescribe a prenatal vitamin or you can buy it without a prescription. It is recommended that pregnant women take a prenatal vitamin every day during pregnancy, and even before if they are planning to get pregnant. Calcium, found in dairy products such as milk, as well as coffee, tea, egg yolks, fiber, and soy can prevent the body from absorbing iron. Try to avoid them when you eat iron-rich foods.

High doses of vitamins A, C, or E should also be avoided during pregnancy. If your doctor finds that you have low levels of vitamin D, he or she may recommend additional supplements. The fetus depends on maternal vitamin D intake, making it one of the most important vitamins to be taken during pregnancy. Folate is another essential B vitamin that plays an integral role in DNA synthesis, red blood cell production, and fetal growth and development.

It is important to buy vitamins from a well-known brand whose products are evaluated by external organizations such as the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP). The American Pregnancy Association recommends looking for a prenatal vitamin with a minimum of 300 milligrams of DHA. Vitamin B12 and vitamin D are also particularly important for supporting the development of the baby's nervous system (B1) and skeleton (D). Observational studies have shown that supplementing with prenatal vitamins reduces the risk of preterm birth and preeclampsia.

The ACOG recommends that pregnant women receive 15 micrograms (or 600 IU) of vitamin D a day. In Australia, it is recommended that all pregnant women take folic acid, iodine and vitamin D supplements. In addition to prenatal vitamins, experts from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend taking a folic acid supplement. Foods that may be high in vitamin A, such as liver and liver-derived products such as pâté should also be avoided.

Excessive amounts of vitamin A during pregnancy have been shown to cause congenital anomalies. HUM's prenatal vitamin, Womb Service, is formulated by gynecology and obstetrics to help meet your nutritional needs at all stages of pregnancy, from before to after pregnancy. While supplementing with some micronutrients and herbs is safe for pregnant women, many of them should be avoided or avoided in large amounts. Always check with your doctor before adding any additional supplements in addition to the prenatal vitamins you are taking.

Darlene Flint
Darlene Flint

A blogger who covers about health supplements in depth and educating people before they start taking it.