A handy list of supplements you need for a healthy pregnancy
By Dr Tan Shu Qi, Consultant and Associate Professor Tan Thiam Chye, Visiting Consultant, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital
Unsure about which prenatal supplements and vitamins to take? Relax! Here's a handy list of the benefits these recommended supplements have for your pregnancy and your baby:
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid): Take 300mg of this omega-3 fat daily
Folic acid: Folic acid prevents abnormalities in your baby's brain and spinal cord, such as spina bifida. Take 5mg or at least 400 to 800mcg a day
Iron: Anaemia is a common issue in pregnancy. To manage this, the recommended dosage is 27mg of iron supplementation
Vitamin C: Vitamin C aids iron absorption, so have a glass of orange juice or eat a bowl of cereal more often. Alternatively, you can take some vitamin C supplements. The daily recommended dosage is 100 to 200mg
Calcium: Calcium helps with the baby's bone development while maintaining the mother's bone density in pregnancy. The daily recommended dosage is 1000mg
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Consult your doctor or gynaecologist about the supplements which are suitable for you to take and their dosages. Your doctor or gynaecologist may lower or raise the dosages accordingly to your individual constitution and needs.
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Sources:
The New Art and Science of Pregnancy and Childbirth 2008, World Scientific
Healthy Start for your Pregnancy 2012, Health Promotion Board Singapore
This article was last reviewed on 06 Jul 2021
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