Although every woman is different and therefore has specific needs during her pregnancy, the French College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (CNGOF) and the High Authority for Health (HAS) agree to recommend that expectant mothers take vitamin B9 and D supplements.
What is vitamin B9 used for?? For any pregnancy project, vitamin B9 supplementation, also called folic acid, is recommended 4 weeks before conception and up to 8 weeks after, with a recommended dose of 400 ug per day. Folic acid is involved in all processes of growth and cell division and prevents malformations of the nervous system, particularly of the neural tube. In France, nearly 75% of women of childbearing age have insufficient nutritional intake of vitamin B9.
Vitamin D supplementation is also essential for pregnant women. In fact, a deficiency increases the risk of preeclampsia (high blood pressure associated with a loss of protein in the urine that can cause premature delivery), gestational diabetes and an imbalance of the vaginal flora.
However, other nutrients are also essential during pregnancy, such as choline, iodine, and magnesium. Your healthcare professional may also order a blood test to check for possible deficiencies, including iron deficiency. If you are anemic, they may prescribe airon supplement.