When preparing for pregnancy, many people think that just supplementing iron and folic acid is enough. However, according to obstetricians, prenatal nutrition is not as simple as that, but needs to be comprehensively approached. If only focusing on a few familiar micronutrients, future parents may miss important factors that directly affect the mother's health and the long-term development of children.
According to Sumita Prabhakar, gynecologist and in vitro fertilization expert at CMI Hospital (India), reality shows that many women enter pregnancy in a state of nutritional deficiency without knowing it. She said that iron and folic acid are very important in preventing anemia and neural tube defects, but supplementing only these two micronutrients is not enough. Women should be comprehensively assessed for micronutrient status before conception to have the best preparation.
Studies published in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care show that the rate of anemia in women of reproductive age is still high in many countries. In addition, vitamin D and vitamin B12 deficiency is also quite common. When pregnant women are deprived of essential micronutrients, the risk of pregnancy complications may increase and fetal development may be affected.
Experts recommend that prenatal nutrition should be emphasized early, including screening for micronutrient deficiencies, building a balanced diet and supplementing nutrients according to medical advice. Fetal development is the result of a combination of many nutrients such as omega-3, DHA, choline, iodine, iron, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and calcium. Each micronutrient plays a separate role in brain development, skeletal system, immunity and physical growth.
In addition to prioritizing fresh, diverse and nutritious foods, pregnant women may need to use multivitamins as prescribed by a doctor. Investing in prenatal nutrition not only helps pregnancy be safe and healthy but also creates a sustainable development foundation for future generations.
