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Home |  Pregnancy overview |  Reproductive Health | Complications | Labor & Birth

Folic Acid (Vitamin B9) in Pregnancy:

Many people, probably most, now know the importance of Folic Acid and this is one of the most popular supplements taken during pregnancy.

Folic Acid is essential for efficient DNA synthesis and rapid cell division which characterise pregnancy and, indeed, early infancy. It is an established fact that taking Folic Acid supplements from the preconception period and continuing through the first trimester does significantly reduce the risk of neural tube defects such as Spina bifida.

Folic Acid is also important in preventing anaemia. It plays an essential role in the formation of blood cells.

Folic Acid deficiency can develop in chronic liver disease or where the individual is taking anti-epileptic medication.

A healthy balanced diet will normally give adequate Folic Acid. Green leafy vegetables, fruits, beans and peas are rich sources of Folic Acid as are a variety of fortified cereals.

The recommended daily intake is 400mcg. For those concerned about risk of spina bifida and other neural tube defects, it is essential that the supplements are commenced before conception. Starting after one has missed a period is usually too late.

Where there is an identifiable risk factor such as use of anticonvulsant (anti-epileptic) medication or history of a previous spina bifida, the supplements dose should be at least ten times that i.e. 4 or 5 mg daily, again commenced pre-conception.

Vitamin B6 in Pregnancy:

This is also known as pyridoxine. There has been a lot of interest on this Vitamin and the role it might play in preventing a number of pregnancy complications including pre-term labor and pre-eclampsia. So far, there is no conclusive evidence that it is beneficial in any of the areas studied. There is therefore no evidence currently to recommend Vitamin B6 supplementation during pregnancy.

Zinc in Pregnancy:

Zinc is one of those mineral supplements that continue to be controversial. The traditional advice was that taking Zinc supplements could help reduce the risk of pre-term delivery, a low birth weight baby or even prolonged pregnancy. There is certainly no evidence as far as influence on birth weight is concerned and benefit on the other two areas is modest at best.

What is more, there are studies that suggest zinc supplementation during pregnancy could interfere with the child’s mental development.

Deficiency of zinc is very uncommon where a balanced diet is consumed. This makes the need for zinc supplements in developed societies highly questionable. In developing societies where chronic food shortages may exist, zinc supplementation may be considered as part of general nutritional supplementation for expectant mothers.

Next Page: Calcium supplements