Cebu City -- Prenatal vitamins are given to women who are pregnant and those who are planning to be pregnant as prescribed by their doctors. During pregnancy, the mother ought to supply her baby with the needed vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients for his/her proper growth and development. The nutrients that are obtained in the food consumed by the mother might not be enough for both the growing baby and for herself, that’s where the prenatal vitamins come in handy.

Anti-natal vitamins include folic acid, iron, calcium, vitamin D in the right amounts. Here is some information on the importance of these vitamins. 

• Folic acid is a form of folate that is a B-Vitamin that helps in the brain and spine development of the growing baby. It prevents the baby from neural tube defects like spina bifida and anencephaly. Folic acid also helps in the formation of healthy red blood cells for both the mother and the infant. A pregnant woman should take in 180 tablets of iron folic acid during the entire duration of her pregnancy.

• Iron is one kind of mineral that is needed in the body to make hemoglobin, which is a kind of protein that helps carry out oxygen to different parts of the body. The need for iron doubles during pregnancy to produce enough blood to carry oxygen for both the mother and the baby. A common disorder if iron is lacking in the pregnant mothers’ diet is iron-deficiency anemia that could lead to serious birth complications. 

• Calcium is also a mineral that aids in the baby’s development especially the bone, muscles, teeth, heart and nerves. It also helps the mother avoid brittle bones as she ages. Other than the prenatal vitamin, calcium can also be obtained through eating calcium-rich food like milk, broccoli, cheese, and other dairy products. Remember Kumainment No. 5 Uminom ng gatas, kumain ng pagkaing mayaman sa calcium.

• Vitamin D aids in the absorption and utilization of calcium and phosphorus that helps in bone development It also aids in healthy immune function for both the mother and the growing baby.  

The body uses these vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that are supplied through these prenatal vitamins and from food. Pregnant women should take in these prenatal vitamins as prescribed by their obstetricians. They should follow Pinggang Pinoy for pregnant women to ensure healthy pregnancy and safe delivery. // NO I Christine April M. Lopez, RND