Early Pregnancy - Are vitamins necessary?
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It's important to remember that vitamin supplements are not a substitute for a good, healthy diet as they contain only a small propotion of the nutritional benefits available from good food. When you are pregnant, your need for certain foods does increase and even doubles in the case of calcium and vitamin C, however you become more efficient at absorbing nutrients in the digestive system.
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The Department of Health recommends that women who are planning to become pregnant should take a 400mcg folic acid supplement a day in early pregnancy continuing until the 12th week of pregnancy. Folic acid is needed for the development of your baby’s organs and tissues and has been shown to reduce the risk of spinal defects such as spina bifida. Other than folic acid, a balanced and varied diet should supply you with all the vitamins and minerals that you need. However, if you think that you are not eating a good diet it might be a good idea to take an antenatal multivitamin and mineral supplement. .
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