Pregnancy is a stage when a woman's body undergoes many physiological changes to nourish the fetus. During this time, the need for vitamins and minerals increases to support the comprehensive development of the baby and maintain the mother's health. However, according to Dr. Kavitha G Aithal, obstetrician consultant at Geetha Hospital, Bangalore (India), a nutritional deficiency during pregnancy rarely occurs alone but can lead to many other deficiencies.
Nutrients in the body work based on mutual interaction. When one link is lacking, the entire system can be affected. For example, vitamin C helps increase the ability to absorb iron from plants. If vitamin C is lacking, even if pregnant women eat enough iron-rich foods, they are still at risk of anemia. Similarly, vitamin D plays an important role in calcium absorption. If vitamin D is lacking, the body can hardly use the amount of calcium intake, thereby affecting the health of the mother's bones and the formation of the fetus's bones.
This chain reaction can be expressed through many problems. Iron deficiency is often accompanied by folic acid or vitamin B12 deficiency, making anemia worse. The mother may experience prolonged fatigue, dizziness and reduced ability to transport oxygen in the blood. In addition, vitamin D and calcium deficiency increases the risk of reduced bone density in the mother and affects the development of the baby's skeletal system.
Not only that, vitamin D, zinc or protein deficiency also weakens the immune system, making pregnant mothers susceptible to infections. When the body fights against infections, nutritional needs increase, thereby continuing to deplete reserves. In addition, B vitamins play an important role in the energy metabolism process. If deficiency occurs, pregnant mothers may be tired for a long time even without iron deficiency.
According to experts, these deficiencies not only affect the mother but also directly affect the fetus. Lack of nutrients such as omega-3, choline and iodine can slow down the brain and immune system development of children. In the long term, this may increase the risk of future health problems.
To prevent, doctors recommend that pregnant women maintain a diverse, balanced and nutrient-rich diet. Vitamin and mineral supplementation needs to be prescribed and monitored by a doctor, avoiding self-use. Regular prenatal check-ups and nutritional status assessment tests help detect deficiencies early and intervene promptly.
Pregnancy nutrition is not just eating enough but also eating correctly and balancedly. Understanding the link between micronutrients will help pregnant mothers protect their health and create a solid foundation for the baby's development.
