So you’re pregnant. Congratulations! Or maybe you’re looking to become pregnant in the near future. Happy baby making! Either way, a prenatal vitamin is something you’re probably looking into about now and it’s a great thing to start taking even before conception happens. Getting the right vitamins and nutrients into your system before baby moves in is a great thing to do to prepare your body for upcoming changes and give your baby a great start to his or her life.

As amazing as prenatal vitamins are (my hair and nails have never been healthier!) not all prenatal vitamins are created equal; and even some of the best ones out there still need to be supplemented with other nutrients that mama may lose or be in extra need of while sustaining a growing baby inside of her.

Here are a few of the nutrients I’ve found that are not uncommon to need to be supplemented alongside a prenatal vitamin during pregnancy:

Folic acid

Folic acid is especially important to take during the first several weeks of pregnancy and even before conception as well. It helps to prevent neural tube birth defects (birth defects of the brain, spine, or spinal cord). “The two most common neural tube defects are spina bifida and anencephaly” (source).

You can take folic acid as a supplement itself, but simply finding a prenatal vitamin that includes at least 400 mcg is probably the easiest choice. You can also increase your folic acid intake by eating leafy green foods (the darker green, the better!) citrus, beans, avocados, and nuts.

Iron

Did you know that a pregnant woman’s body can contain 50% blood volume than a woman who is not pregnant? (source here). Iron is used to help to move oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body and your baby’s body. Anemia is a term used when your blood lacks adiquate amounts of iron. It can cause a woman to feel dizzy, fatigued, and weak and can also cause babies to be born too early (source). The good news is that getting enough iron in your system is easy. You can either look for a prenatal vitamin that contains iron or eat dark green foods and red meat. Beans and raisins also contain extra iron for mama’s growing baby.

Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are important to take, especially during pregnancy, because they promote brain development. They are not naturally produced by the body, so they need to be supplemented or included in a woman’s diet in order for mama and baby to benefit. To supplement this essential fat, simply look for a prenatal vitamin that contains DHA, use a fish oil supplement, or eat meals with fish that are considered safe for pregnancy! (Source).

Calcium

We all know that calcium helps to promote bone strength. (“Got milk?” anyone?). But did you know that as a baby’s bones rapidly grow and develop (especially during the third trimester), a mother can lose calcium from her own body as it is used to help with the development of baby’s bones and teeth? If your body lacks the amount of calcium needed for baby’s development, it will take calcium from your bones in order to make up for the deficit. Many prenatal vitamins only provide 20-30% of the recommended amount of calcium for women who are pregnant so it’s extra important for women to supplement their calcium during pregnancy in order to prevent the weakening of their bones and teeth.

I highly recommend taking VIACTIV® Calcium Soft Chews as your calcium supplement during pregnancy. Each soft chew contains 500 mg of calcium. Viactiv Calcium Soft Chews are available in milk chocolate or caramel flavors at major retailers including CVS, Rite Aid, Target, and Walmart, as well as supermarkets nationwide. Which flavor of Viactiv Calcium Soft Chews — milk chocolate or caramel- would you prefer?

If you want to read more about how important calcium is for pregnant mamas, check out Viactiv.com or find them on Facebook or Instagram!

Of course, talking to your doctor about recommended supplements as always a must. Taking too much of a supplement can be unnecessary and even harmful, so make sure you and your doctor are on the same page. Supplement needs will also vary from woman to woman based on your pregnancy and health history.

Viactiv Calcium Soft Chews are available in milk chocolate or caramel flavors at major retailers including CVS, Rite Aid, Target, and Walmart, as well as supermarkets nationwide.
Learn more about Viactiv and pregnancy here.

This is a product-provided, sponsored conversation on behalf of Viactiv that contains affiliate links. I received Viactiv Calcium Soft Chews for my own personal use. This post is not intended to address or diagnose any medical conditions. All opinions, text and experiences are my own. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing or planning on becoming pregnant, speak with your healthcare provider if you have any specific health questions or prior to taking any dietary supplements.