Why Is Vitamin B12 Important in Pregnancy?
You don’t need to worry about you and your baby’s well-being anymore. Introducing Trimacare, the showstopper of pregnancy care. Before jumping into the details, let us first understand which nutrients are crucial during your pregnancy. It's Vitamin B12 because it helps support DNA synthesis, the formation of red blood cells, and the nervous system of the baby. Consuming an adequate amount of Vitamin B12 during pregnancy is essential for the overall well-being of both you and your baby.
In this blog, we will help you learn the benefits of Vitamin B12 and which prenatal supplement you can take to make your pregnancy journey smooth.
- 1. Benefits of Vitamin B12
- 2. Sources of Vitamin B12 During Pregnancy
- 3. Why Trimacare™ Vitamin B12 for Pregnancy
-
4. Frequently Asked Questions:
- 4.1 Why is Vitamin B12 important during pregnancy?
- 4.2 What happens due to vitamin B12 deficiency in pregnant women?
- 4.3 How much Vitamin B12 is needed per day?
- 4.4 What foods provide Vitamin B12?
- 4.5 Should I take Vitamin B12 supplements during pregnancy?
- 4.6 How does Vitamin B12 benefit the baby?
- 4.7 Can low Vitamin B12 affect pregnancy?
- 4.8 What are the symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency in pregnancy?
- 4.9 Are there any risks of consuming too much Vitamin B12 during pregnancy?
- 4.10 Can vegans or vegetarian expectant mothers get enough Vitamin B12?
- 4.11 Does Vitamin B12 prevent neural tube defects?
- 4.12 Should I consume Vitamin B12 separately or in the form of a pregnancy supplement?
- 4.13 What is the best way to check whether my Vitamin B12 levels during pregnancy are low or not?
Benefits of Vitamin B12
1. Boosts Red Blood Cell Formation
Lack of Vitamin B12 leads to a reduction in red blood cell formation. Vitamin B12 plays a crucial role in boosting the formation of red blood cells in the body. Healthy red blood cells look round and are small, allowing them to move freely in the bloodstream.
2. Prevents Anaemia
Vitamin B12 during pregnancy helps in the production of red blood cells. Deficiency during pregnancy can lead to megaloblastic anaemia. It is a condition where all cells are large, immature, and poorly functioning red blood cells.
3. Prevents Low Birth Weight and Pre-Term Birth
Vitamin B12 in pregnancy helps prevent birth complications like pre-term birth and low birth weight. Thus, an adequate amount of Vitamin B12 contributes to a healthy pregnancy.
4. Baby’s Brain & Nervous System Development
Vitamin B12 during pregnancy plays a crucial role in the development of the baby’s brain and nervous system. Vitamin B12 promotes healthy neurological development and boosts cognitive and motor function in the baby. It also helps reduce the risk of delayed development and neurological disorders.
5. Prevents Neural Tube Defects (NTDs)
Consuming an adequate amount of Vitamin B12 in pregnancy helps prevent neural tube defects (NTDs), such as Anencephaly and Spina Bifida. These disorders occur when the neural tube, the baby’s brain, and the spinal cord fail to close properly during the initial phase of the pregnancy. Thus, adequate B12 during pregnancy helps prevent NTDs.
6. Boosts Maternal Energy Levels
Vitamin B12 during pregnancy plays a crucial role in boosting the energy metabolism of the mother to convert food into usable energy. It also helps maintain vitality and allows mothers to cope with the increased physical demands during pregnancy.
7. Supports Maternal Mental Health
Consuming Vitamin B12 during pregnancy helps reduce the risk of prenatal and postpartum depression while supporting the cognitive and emotional stability of the expectant mother.
Sources of Vitamin B12 During Pregnancy
- Lean meats (beef, chicken)
- Fish and shellfish (salmon, clams, tuna)
- Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt)
- Eggs
- Fortified cereals
- Plant-based milk alternatives (soy, oat, or almond milk)
- Trimacare™ prenatal supplements
Why Trimacare™ Vitamin B12 for Pregnancy
Trimacare is renowned as the best Vitamin B12 pregnancy supplement. Its patented trimester-specific formula is designed by a skilled and experienced team of top Indian medical professionals to fulfil all the nutritional requirements of pregnant Indian women. It contains over 20+ essential nutrients, such as Vitamin B12, calcium, folic acid, iron, etc., to provide excellent benefits in the development of the foetus's brain and help support red blood cell production.
Moreover, the pregnancy supplement is 100% vegetarian and derived from deep-sea algae with no added colours or preservatives to ensure maximum safety. It ensures a healthy pregnancy by minimizing the chances of deficiencies and is endorsed by the finest doctors in India.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why is Vitamin B12 important during pregnancy?
B12 helps develop and function the infant's brain and spinal cord and prevents defects known as Neural Tube Defects (spina bifida and Anencephaly). It also helps improve mothers' energy levels and prevents preterm or low-weight births.
What happens due to vitamin B12 deficiency in pregnant women?
Vitamin B12 deficiency during pregnancy causes maternal exhaustion and mental issues. Its deficiency also increases the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and delay in the baby’s development.
How much Vitamin B12 is needed per day?
- In pregnant women: 2.6 micrograms (mcg) per day
- In breastfeeding women: 2.8 mcg per day
- In nonpregnant women: 2.4 mcg per day
What foods provide Vitamin B12?
Lean meats, dairy products, fish, and fortified food.
Should I take Vitamin B12 supplements during pregnancy?
If your staple diet lacks B12, consuming prenatal Vitamin B12 supplements like Trimacare™ is a wise choice. However, always consult your doctor before consuming any supplement.
How does Vitamin B12 benefit the baby?
Vitamin B12 helps develop the baby’s brain, spinal cord, growth, and nervous system while preventing NTDs.
Can low Vitamin B12 affect pregnancy?
Yes, low levels of Vitamin B12 lead to anemia, fatigue, and increase the risk of birth defects, developmental delays, and preterm birth of your baby.
What are the symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency in pregnancy?
The common symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency in pregnancy include extreme fatigue, tingling in hands and feet, pale skin, weakness, shortness of breath, and mood changes.
Are there any risks of consuming too much Vitamin B12 during pregnancy?
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble nutrient, thus, excess is usually excreted from the body. However, the high dosage of Vitamin B12 should still be avoided without prior consultation with your healthcare provider.
Can vegans or vegetarian expectant mothers get enough Vitamin B12?
Well, the staple indian diet lacks nutrients and is rich in carbs. Thus, vegans or vegetarians cannot get enough Vitamin B12 through diet alone. Vegetarians often need Vitamin B12 supplements or fortified food, as the natural source of Vitamin B12 is mostly animal-based.
Does Vitamin B12 prevent neural tube defects?
Yes, along with folate, Vitamin B12 plays a crucial role in preventing neural tube defects (NTDs). Additionally, appropriate levels of Vitamin B12 support brain and spinal cord formation.
Should I consume Vitamin B12 separately or in the form of a pregnancy supplement?
Pregnancy supplements are enriched with an appropriate dosage of Vitamin B12. If your Vitamin B12 levels are low, consult your healthcare provider, and they might suggest additional supplementation.
What is the best way to check whether my Vitamin B12 levels during pregnancy are low or not?
You can have a simple blood test to check your Vitamin B12 levels. However, always consult your healthcare provider before taking any supplement.
Pallavi Aggarwal
A Certified Nutritionist with a rich healthcare background in health journalism, the author has immense experience in curating reader-friendly, engaging, and informative healthcare blogs to empower readers to make informed pregnancy-related decisions.
- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
- Opens in a new window.