Vitamins to get pregnant
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Vitamins to Get Pregnant: Key Insights from Research
Vitamin B6, B12, and C: Maternal and Fetal Health
Vitamin B6 Benefits
Vitamin B6 plays a significant role in reducing nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, improving dental health, and treating some cases of anemia. Additionally, supplementation with vitamin B6 has shown a positive effect on birthweight, with an increase of approximately 217 grams based on meta-analyses of small studies1. However, its impact on other neonatal outcomes such as preterm birth and perinatal morbidity is not significant1.
Vitamin B12 Importance
Vitamin B12 is crucial for fetal growth and development, particularly in preventing neural tube defects (NTDs). Observational studies indicate that low maternal B12 levels are associated with higher risks of NTDs, pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes, and lower birth weight2. Supplementation during pregnancy has shown benefits for offspring neurocognitive development, although its effect on birth weight remains inconclusive2.
Vitamin C Considerations
While vitamin C is essential for maternal health, its supplementation alone or combined with vitamin E does not significantly reduce the incidence of pre-eclampsia or other adverse pregnancy outcomes. In fact, it may increase the risk of pregnancy-related hypertension1. Therefore, routine vitamin C supplementation during pregnancy is not recommended based on current evidence1.
Vitamin A: Balancing Deficiency and Excess
Deficiency and Supplementation
Vitamin A is vital for fetal development, particularly for ocular integrity and systemic effects on fetal organs. In regions where vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is prevalent, supplementation is recommended to prevent night blindness and other complications3. However, excessive intake of vitamin A during pregnancy can be teratogenic, especially in the first 60 days post-conception, making it crucial to balance intake3.
Vitamin D: Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes
Supplementation Benefits
Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is linked to increased risks of pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and low birth weight. Supplementation with vitamin D has been shown to reduce these risks and improve maternal vitamin D levels at term6 7. However, the effects of different dosages and regimens are still under investigation, with some studies suggesting that higher doses may not significantly alter pregnancy outcomes compared to lower doses6.
Combined Supplementation
Combining vitamin D with calcium may reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia but could increase the risk of preterm birth10. Therefore, while vitamin D supplementation is generally safe, the combination with other nutrients should be carefully considered10.
Conclusion
In summary, vitamins B6, B12, and D play crucial roles in supporting a healthy pregnancy and fetal development. Vitamin B6 can help alleviate pregnancy-related nausea and improve birthweight, while vitamin B12 is essential for preventing neural tube defects and supporting neurocognitive development. Vitamin D supplementation can reduce the risks of pre-eclampsia and low birth weight, although the optimal dosage and combination with other nutrients require further research. On the other hand, routine vitamin C supplementation is not recommended due to potential risks, and vitamin A intake should be carefully balanced to avoid deficiency and excess.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Interventions with vitamins B6, B12 and C in pregnancy.
Vitamin C supplementation during pregnancy is not justified, while vitamin B6 supplementation may improve birthweight and reduce neural tube defects in offspring, but more research is needed.
Meta-Analysis
Highly CitedMaternal Vitamin B12 Status During Pregnancy and Its Association With Outcomes of Pregnancy and Health of the Offspring: A Systematic Review and Implications for Policy in India
Low maternal vitamin B12 status in India is associated with increased risks of neural tube defects, low birth weight, and adverse offspring health outcomes.
Systematic ReviewHighly CitedVitamin A and Pregnancy: A Narrative Review
Vitamin A is crucial for pregnant women and their fetuses, with higher requirements during pregnancy and potential teratogenic effects in excess.
Literature Review
Very Rigorous JournalHighly CitedMaternal folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation during medium to late gestation promotes fetal development via improving placental antioxidant capacity, angiogenesis and amino acid transport.
Maternal folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation during medium to late gestation improves fetal development by reducing homocysteine levels in umbilical cord blood and promoting placental antioxidant capacity and vascular density.
RCTVitamin D3 and B12 Supplementation in Pregnancy.
Oral vitamin D3 and B12 supplementation during pregnancy failed to correct nutritional deficiencies in Bangladeshi pregnant women, while dietary supplementation and high dose vitamin D effectively corrected severe deficiency.
RCTRegimens of vitamin D supplementation for women during pregnancy.
Supplementing with 601 IU/d or more of vitamin D during pregnancy may make little or no difference to the risk of pre-eclampsia, may reduce the risk of preterm birth, and has mixed safety results.
Systematic ReviewVery Rigorous JournalVitamin D supplementation during pregnancy: Updated meta-analysis on maternal outcomes
Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy may reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia, but more studies are needed to confirm these findings and determine other maternal outcomes.
Meta-AnalysisHighly CitedVitamin C supplementation in pregnancy.
Vitamin C supplementation during pregnancy may increase the risk of preterm birth, but data is insufficient to confirm its benefits or risks.
Meta-AnalysisHighly CitedVitamin A supplementation during pregnancy.
Vitamin A supplementation during pregnancy may have beneficial effects on maternal mortality and morbidity, but further trials are needed to confirm these findings and determine their mechanism of action.
Meta-AnalysisVery Rigorous JournalVitamin D supplementation for women during pregnancy
Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy may lower the risk of pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes, but more research is needed to confirm these findings.
Very Rigorous JournalHighly Cited