Women's Health

Vitamin Intake for High-Risk Pregnancies

Every pregnancy needs utmost care to remain healthy.

Medically Inspected by: Loreta D. Dayco, MD, Edilberto B. Garcia, Jr., MD, and Maria Christina H. Ventura, MD

All women experience pregnancy differently. While pregnancy is safe, there are still risks of complications, and these can vary from woman to woman. As a pregnant woman, what can you do to best prepare your body for pregnancy to minimize health risks? Read on to learn more.

What is a high-risk pregnancy?

A high-risk pregnancy is one where the pregnant woman, the fetus, or both has an increased possibility of experiencing health risks.

Some conditions may make you more prone to experiencing high-risk pregnancy, including:

Health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, autoimmune diseases, or cancer
Lifestyle habits such as smoking, drinking, or taking drugs
One’s age—teenage pregnancy and those that occur over the age of 35 may lead to a high-risk pregnancy
Previous pregnancies and their outcomes may also affect your current term

Regardless of risk, every pregnancy needs utmost care to remain healthy until giving birth. Regular consultations with your obstetrician are essential to guide you during your pregnancy. Your doctor can help you prepare for any possible pre-natal complications. They may also run certain tests or recommend for you to take certain supplements as an additional source of sustenance.

Recommended Vitamin Intake for High-Risk Pregnancies

Receiving the right amount of nutrients is vital during pregnancy, not just for you but especially for your growing baby. For proper growth and development of your child, you need to eat healthy, exercise regularly, and ensure your body has sufficient nutrients.

To avoid nutrient deficiency, your doctor may advise the intake of certain supplements. You may consult your doctor for any specific nutritional needs you may have, but in general, here are some of the recommended vitamins for pregnant women, especially those with high-risk pregnancies:

Vitamin or Mineral	Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for pregnant women	Function
Folic Acid (vitamin B9)	600 micrograms	Folic acid converts into folate in the body. Folate is essential for DNA synthesis and fetal development. Taking folic acid early on in your pregnancy may also help against birth defects.
Vitamin D	200 IU	This plays a role in building immune function as well as teeth and bone health in your unborn child. Some studies have also shown that increased intake of vitamin D during pregnancy can lessen chances of complications like gestational diabetes and premature birth.
Iron	27 milligrams	This is important for adequate blood supply for you and your baby.
Magnesium	350 to 400 milligrams	This is essential for protein synthesis, nerve, muscle, and immune function in your baby. Moreover, deficiency in this mineral may lead to premature labor.

On top of individual supplements and a balanced diet, there are pre-natal vitamins specially formulated to contain essential nutrients for a healthy pregnancy. Most prenatal supplements already contain the ones mentioned above.

Every pregnancy is a different case—so your nutritional needs might be different from another pregnant woman. Your obstetrician might recommend that you get higher doses of some vitamins and lower doses of others, depending on what you and your baby need to prevent any health risks.

A high-risk pregnancy does not always result in health complications for you or your baby. With a proper care plan recommended by your doctor, a high-risk pregnancy can still result in the safe delivery of a healthy baby.

General Disclaimer

Your doctor will always be in the best position to give the appropriate medical advice for your condition. For suspected undesirable drug reaction, seek medical attention immediately and report to the FDA at www.fda.gov.ph and UNILAB, Inc. at 8-UNILAB-1 or productsafety@unilab.com.ph. Always buy your medicine from your trusted drugstores and retailers.

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