Pregnancy

Vitamin C's Importance during Pregnancy

Vitamins are necessary to all individuals, regardless of race, gender, physical condition, age or stage of life, but when it comes to pregnancy, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) takes a relevant role in women's health care. This vitamin is particularly necessary during pregnancy, when the intake of medications usually is controlled or suppressed to avoid complications through conception to delivery.

Vitamin C is an essential antioxidant for healthy skin but also for tissue repair, bone and wound healing, promoting healthy teeth and giving strength to blood vessels. It is also a useful helper to fight infection and aids in mineral absorption, particularly iron, and commonly used in the prevention and treatment of the common cold.

Antibiotics may cause side effects to anyone, but in pregnant women such reactions may harm the developing baby causing birth defects. Research determined the safety and effectiveness of vitamin C during pregnancy by avoiding the body-lowered resistance, hence the risk to trigger an infection.

Because Vitamin C performs a variety of roles in the body, both you and your baby need to take this vitamin daily. In fact, you should start taking vitamin C in the early planning stage of conception. Vitamin C helps your baby grow cells, build strong bones and teeth.

Your diet should provide you at least 85 mg of vitamin C during pregnancy, but some physicians may prescribe to a healthy woman, dosages in the amount of 4,000 milligrams during the first trimester, 6,000 mg during the second, and 10,000 to 15,000 mg a day throughout the third trimester.

Mega-doses of Vitamin C is water soluble and safer than any other, which has been reported without virtual complications or side effects in all individuals, including pregnant women, however medical advise is always recommended. The average dose without a prescription for women who are breastfeeding is 120 mg.

Vitamin C naturally comes in C-rich food in your meals. The best sources of this vitamin is found in citrus fruits, but also tomatoes, tomato juice, potatoes, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, are all excellent Vitamin C sources.

Although it is possible to get Vitamin C from over the counter, natural medications and dietary supplements, there is no confirmed evidence of possible liver problems in the fetus and newborn during the third trimester, basically due to other components in their formulation, even though many believe it to be true.

Changes in your diet can meet your Vitamin C requirements from foods preventing a deficiency, or ask your physician to prescribe whichever supplement that substitutes or enhances your vitamin intake.