X
TAP top app download banner
theAsianparent Singapore Logo
theAsianparent Singapore Logo
Product Guide
Sign in
  • Together Against RSV
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Child
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-Schooler
    • Kid
    • Pre-Teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • Events
  • Holiday Hub
  • Aptamil
    • Immunity
    • Intelligence
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • VIP

Vitamins and supplements you need during pregnancy

3 min read
Vitamins and supplements you need during pregnancy

Following a well-balanced diet should give you most of the vitamins and nutrients you need for a healthy pregnancy. However, there are some vitamins which may need supplementing in your diet, as well as some which should be avoided while you’re carrying your baby. Here’s some information to help you work out which vitamins and supplements you need.

Vitamins and nutrients you need during pregnancy

Folic acid helps reduce the risk of birth defects such as spina bifida. The most important time to take it is a few months before you conceive and during the first trimester (12 weeks). During this period, it’s important that you are eating a healthy balanced diet as well as taking a folic acid supplement. You can also include folic acid-rich foods in your diet such as green vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, beans, and peas; and fruits such as oranges.

Vitamins and supplements you need during pregnancyIron and vitamin C

Iron is one of the key nutrients you need throughout pregnancy – it’s important for carrying extra oxygen around in your red blood cells and your baby needs it for their developing brain.

If you run short now, your baby may be fine but you’ll run the risk of becoming anaemic, which will leave you feeling tired, washed-out and generally unwell. Your doctor may recommend an iron supplement. If not, make sure you have plenty of iron-rich foods in your diet such as red meat, fish, eggs, dried fruit, wholegrain breakfast cereals and breads, and green leafy vegetables.

Iron is best absorbed by your body, try to eat some fruits or vegetables rich in Vitamin C at the same time, so have a glass of fruit juice with your cereal or have some fresh fruit as a starter to your main course.

Omega fats

Getting enough omega 3 fatty acids during pregnancy is important, as they will help your baby’s nervous system to develop healthily, as well as help prevent you from getting heart disease. Plus, studies have shown omega fats taken during pregnancy can lead to a brainier baby!

Oily fish like sardines, mackerel and salmon are all rich sources of omega 3 fatty acids but you shouldn’t have more than two portions a week, as the fish can also contain high levels of mercury, which can be harmful for your baby. Alternative sources of omega 3 are seeds such as pumpkin and flax – you’ll need about two tablespoons a day – or you can always have a supplement instead.
Prenatal vitamin supplement

You could opt for just one multivitamin supplement specially made for women trying to conceive or who are pregnant. It’ll help you get the right balance of nutrients recommended for a healthy pregnancy, including folic acid and iron.

But make sure you choose a supplement made for use during conception and pregnancy and not a regular multivitamin, as these can contain potentially high levels of the vitamins you should be avoiding.

Vitamin A

Foods such as pâté and liver sausage are good sources of iron but they can also contain very high concentrations of Vitamin A which can harm your baby if consumed in high amounts.

It is recommended that pregnant women should avoid liver products. You should also be aware that some vitamin supplements are high in this vitamin, so always choose a safe pregnancy supplement. Your doctor will be able to help you with this.

However, there is a form of Vitamin A, known as carotene, which is fine for pregnant women to have. Carotene can be found in red, yellow and orange peppers, mangoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, apricots, tomatoes and watercress.

This article is sponsored by:

Partner Stories
Comfort, Care, and Confidence for New Mums  with PEM Confinement Nannies
Comfort, Care, and Confidence for New Mums with PEM Confinement Nannies
KKH-Led Study Reveals Low COVID-19 Transmission Rate From Mothers to Newborns
KKH-Led Study Reveals Low COVID-19 Transmission Rate From Mothers to Newborns
Did You Know? These 5 Unwanted Pregnancy Symptoms are Related to Gut Health
Did You Know? These 5 Unwanted Pregnancy Symptoms are Related to Gut Health
8 Wonderful Effects of Coconut Water For Pregnancy
8 Wonderful Effects of Coconut Water For Pregnancy

Vitamins and supplements you need during pregnancy

Click here to request for a free sample of our new Mamil Gold PreciNutri Step 2, which  is specially tailored for your child’s growing needs.

Read about our top picks on prenatal vitamins here.

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

ddc-calendar
Get ready for the baby’s arrival by adding your due date.
OR
Calculate your due date
img
Written by

Felicia Chin

  • Home
  • /
  • Pregnancy
  • /
  • Vitamins and supplements you need during pregnancy
Share:
  • Vomit Yellow When Pregnant? Find Out The Cause & How To Correct It!

    Vomit Yellow When Pregnant? Find Out The Cause & How To Correct It!

  • 6 Ways to Know Signs of a Healthy Fetus Without Ultrasound

    6 Ways to Know Signs of a Healthy Fetus Without Ultrasound

  • Polyhydramnios: A Condition When There Is Too Much Amniotic Fluid, These Are the Symptoms, Causes, and How to Treat It

    Polyhydramnios: A Condition When There Is Too Much Amniotic Fluid, These Are the Symptoms, Causes, and How to Treat It

  • Vomit Yellow When Pregnant? Find Out The Cause & How To Correct It!

    Vomit Yellow When Pregnant? Find Out The Cause & How To Correct It!

  • 6 Ways to Know Signs of a Healthy Fetus Without Ultrasound

    6 Ways to Know Signs of a Healthy Fetus Without Ultrasound

  • Polyhydramnios: A Condition When There Is Too Much Amniotic Fluid, These Are the Symptoms, Causes, and How to Treat It

    Polyhydramnios: A Condition When There Is Too Much Amniotic Fluid, These Are the Symptoms, Causes, and How to Treat It

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
  • Family Occasions
  • Lifestyle
  • Normal Delivery
  • Ages & Stages
  • Trying To Conceive
  • News
  • TAP Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
© Copyright theAsianparent 2025. All rights reserved
About Us|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it