Prenatal vitamins help support a healthy pregnancy, providing essential nutrients for the health of the mother and the new little human. In Pakistan, the importance of prenatal care is gaining recognition due to the prevalence of nutritional deficiencies among women of reproductive age.
Research also indicates that 90% of Pakistani women suffer from vitamin D deficiency, 42% are anemic, and 46% are vitamin A deficient. These alarming statistics have led to a growing demand for prenatal supplements, particularly during pregnancy.
Therefore, the best prenatal vitamins, such as
Activit, provide a comprehensive blend of nutrients – including folic acid, iron, and calcium – to meet the unique needs of expecting mothers.
Now, let’s explore the significance of prenatal vitamins in Pakistan and how they contribute to a healthy pregnancy.
Why Prenatal Vitamins Are a Must-Have for Pregnancy
Reduce the Risks of Birth Defects
Consuming prenatal supplements before or during pregnancy can reduce the risks of severe birth defects, such as spina bifida, anencephaly, cleft lip, and palate. How?
Prenatal multivitamins and multiminerals contain folic acid, an essential component that significantly reduces the risk of many birth defects.
Improve Maternal Health
Prenatal supplements have several benefits for supporting an overall healthy pregnancy.
For instance, the best multivitamin for women in Pakistan contains iron, calcium, omega-3, vitamin D, and folic acid, which are important for maternal and fetal health. These nutrients help prevent complications such as gestational hypertension, anemia, and preeclampsia in pregnant women. Iron is crucial for improving hemoglobin levels and controlling the risks of iron-deficiency anemia, while calcium and magnesium support immune function and maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Support Fetal Growth and Development
Women of reproductive age often face various nutritional deficiencies, making it essential to follow healthy pregnancy nutrition in Pakistan to bridge these gaps. If they find it challenging to meet their dietary needs through diet alone, prenatal vitamins can help. Prenatal supplements provide vitamin D, calcium, and omega-3 nutrients to promote brain and eye development. In addition, iron and folic acid help prevent preterm birth and low birth weight, contributing to healthy fetal growth and development.
What are the Key Nutrients in Prenatal Vitamins
Women emphasize a healthy diet during pregnancy, but achieving the right balance of nutrients is critical for the health of the baby and mother.
Prenatal vitamins in Pakistan are formulated with folate, iron, calcium, and other ingredients supporting healthy pregnancy. For example, omega-3 is crucial for brain and eye development, while folic acid benefits in pregnancy for preventing birth defects.
Some key nutrients in prenatal vitamins and their benefits include:
1. Folic Acid – prevents neural tube defects.
2. Iron – reduces anemia risks and improves oxygen transport.
3. Calcium and Vitamin D – supports bone health.
4. Iodine – ensures brain development.
5. Omega-3 Fatty Acids – promotes brain and eye development.
6. Vitamin C and Zinc – enhance immune function during pregnancy.
What Are Nutrition Needs by Trimester
1. First Trimester (Week 1-13)
Main Focus: Early fetal development and reducing morning sickness.
Required Nutrients: Folic acid to prevent neural tube disorders, vitamin B6 to manage nausea, and iron to support increased blood volume.
2. Second Trimester (Week 14-26)
Main Focus: Bone development, energy production, and maternal health.
Required Nutrients: Calcium and vitamin D for baby’s bone development, iron to prevent anemia, and omega-3 fatty acids for brain development.
3. Third Trimester (Week 27-40)
Main Focus: Preparing for labor and maximizing fetal development.
Required Nutrients: Iron to prevent anemia, vitamin C for better iron absorption and immunity, magnesium to support muscle function and leg cramps, and DHA for brain and retina development.
In addition to these nutrients, you can also seek personalized supplementation to address your unique health needs during pregnancy. For instance, conditions like gestational diabetes or thyroid issues may require tailored nutrient plans.
How to Choose the Best Prenatal Vitamins for Women in Pakistan
Pregnancy is one of the most nutritionally demanding conditions in a woman’s life. Often, nutrition for pregnant women in Pakistan is not enough to fill nutritional gaps effectively. As a result, healthcare providers strongly recommend pregnancy vitamins for Pakistani women.
Let’s explore the factors to consider while choosing a prenatal supplement!
1. Consider Nutrient Deficiencies:
Most commonly, pregnant women in Pakistan face nutritional deficiencies that may lead to adverse health effects on the mother and fetus. A study found that pregnant women in Pakistan have one, two, or more nutrient deficiencies, including iron (18%), zinc (22%), vitamin A (27%), and vitamin D (80%) deficiencies. Therefore, pregnancy vitamins for Pakistani women should include these ingredients to bridge nutritional deficiencies effectively.
2. Choose High-Quality Supplements
Only premium quality supplements ensure safety and efficacy for both mother and baby. Therefore, choose prenatal multivitamins that are third-party verified for purity and accurate dosages.
Activit, for example, is approved by DRAP and PCSIR and meets JECFA, USP, and ISO standards.
You should also evaluate prenatal vitamins based on their ingredients. For example, pregnant women need folic acid, iron, vitamin D, and other nutrients during pregnancy. The best multivitamin for pregnant women should contain these ingredients tailored to their specific needs.
3. Ensure Availability in Pakistan
Supplement availability is important to ensure consistent access to essential nutrients throughout pregnancy. However, international products may present supply challenges. Instead, consider options like Activit, which combines high-quality imported ingredients with local manufacturing to ensure reliable availability in Pakistan.
4. Assess Environmental Impact
Some multivitamins for women in Pakistan are packed in plastic or non-recyclable packaging materials, contributing to environmental pollution. Supporting environment-conscious brands using sustainable packaging ensures you contribute to a healthier planet while caring for your health.
5. Evaluate Your Diet
Before choosing a supplement, discuss your dietary habits with your healthcare provider or dietitian to identify any nutritional gaps. This way, you can get a supplement tailored to your specific needs. A balanced diet complemented by the top prenatal vitamins in Pakistan helps meet the unique nutritional requirements of pregnancy.
What are the Factors to Consider While Taking Prenatal Multivitamins
1. When to start pregnancy vitamins
You can start taking prenatal vitamins even while trying to conceive, as they provide essential nutrients for a healthy pregnancy. During pregnancy, taking multivitamin tablets once a day is crucial to support this vital phase.
For optimal absorption and digestion, it is best to take supplements with food. If you experience nausea, pair them with orange juice or lemonade for better iron absorption. However, if your prenatal vitamins include iron, calcium, and folic acid, you can take them on an empty stomach. Keep in mind that iron is not absorbed properly if you have just eaten dairy food.
2. How to take prenatal multivitamins
Commonly, the best vitamins for women are typically taken with a full glass of water. However, you should avoid taking them with hot drinks like tea as they contain tannins and caffeine, which can interfere with absorption.
Additionally, taking prenatal vitamins in the morning can ease absorption and ensure that the nutrients are available throughout the day to support your body’s increased demands during pregnancy.
3. What to consider while choosing prenatal vitamins
You should tell your healthcare provider if you have allergies or any medical history, such as liver or intestinal problems. Also, evaluate the dosage of your pregnancy vitamins and whether they are sufficient to address your nutritional deficiencies.
What Are Prenatal Vitamin Side Effects
Sometimes, prenatal vitamins that include iron, calcium, iodine, and other nutrients may cause the following side effects:
1. Digestive problems – constipation, nausea, stomach cramps, bloating, gas, hard bowel, upset stomach, and dark-colored bowel movements.
2. Hair and skin changes – hair thinning or loss, dry and dark skin, itchy skin, rashes, and skin peeling.
3. Pain, aches, and other changes – back, joint, and muscle pain, tiredness, appetite loss, sore teeth and gums, frequent urination, fast heart rate, and weakness.
If you experience nausea when taking multivitamin tablets, consider alternate formulations like gummies, liquids, and powders, which may be easier to consume. These options work well for sensitive stomachs, providing essential nutrition without causing discomfort.
Your Frequently Asked Questions About Prenatal Vitamins
1. Which prenatal vitamins are halal?
Plant-based vitamins are commonly considered halal as they are free from animal-derived ingredients. If you are looking for one, consider
Activit, which is formulated with all organic and natural plant ingredients.
2. Can pregnancy vitamins make you constipated?
Yes, pregnancy vitamins, especially those containing iron, can cause constipation. However, they are important for preventing anemia during pregnancy. Drinking plenty of water with iron supplements and taking fiber-rich food helps you manage this problem effectively.
3. What is the best prenatal vitamin to take to get pregnant?
The best prenatal vitamin to prepare for pregnancy should provide you with complete nutrition to support a healthy pregnancy. It should include iron, calcium, vitamin D, and folic acid to support reproductive health and early fetal development. Activit provides a comprehensive blend of all nutrients required for women planning to conceive.
References:
1. Asim, M., Ahmed, Z. H., Nichols, A. R., Rickman, R., Neiterman, E., Mahmood, A., & Widen, E. M. (2022, March). What stops us from eating: A qualitative investigation of dietary barriers during pregnancy in Punjab, Pakistan. Public health nutrition. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8523588/#:~:text=Recent%20estimates%20in%20Pakistan%20show,80%20%25)%20deficiencies(32).
2. Nausheen, S., Habib, A., Bhura, M., Rizvi, A., Shaheen, F., Begum, K., Iqbal, J., Ariff, S., Shaikh, L., Raza, S. S., & Soofi, S. B. (2022, June 29). Impact evaluation of the efficacy of different doses of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy on pregnancy and birth outcomes: A randomised, controlled, dose comparison trial in Pakistan. BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health. https://nutrition.bmj.com/content/4/2/e000304
3. Ali, S. A., Ali, S. A., Razzaq, S., Tikmani, S. S., Allana, A., Rizvi, N., & Saleem, S. (2020, August 31). Determinants of under-nutrition among women of reproductive age in Sindh, Pakistan: Findings from Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey, 2012-2013. Population Medicine. https://www.populationmedicine.eu/Determinants-of-under-nutrition-among-women-of-reproductive-age-in-Sindh-Pakistan,125364,0,2.html
4. Wanjari, M. B., Late, S. V., Sharma, R., & Munjewar, P. K. (2023, December). A critical evaluation of prenatal supplements: Are they meeting the Mark?. Journal of family medicine and primary care. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10866212/
5. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, April 19). Prenatal vitamins: Why they matter, how to choose. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/prenatal-vitamins/art-20046945#:~:text=Beyond%20checking%20for%20folic%20acid,B%20vitamins%2C%20zinc%20and%20iodine.
