The following are key phrases to observe in this research work; supplements, side effects of supplements, do’s and don’ts of pregnancy, drugs to use during pregnancy, Vitamins for pregnancy, supplements for healthy babies, iron building supplements.
According to the Oxford Dictionary, supplements are things added, especially to make up for a deficiency. Many children and even adults in the world consume supplements, for one reason or another.
Many believe that supplements are basically vitamins, which is erroneous because supplements are not limited to just vitamins. Supplements can be comprised of other dietary classes, such as fats and oil, zinc, minerals etc.
While many use supplements generally to make up deficiencies for good health, many women of childbearing age, who are unable to give birth, take supplements to aid pregnancy, some other women take supplements during pregnancy to make up lost nutrients to prevent deficiencies or even cure deficiencies during pregnancy, and others take supplements after childbirth, to add to their nutrients, prevent deficiencies or even cure them.
Women experiencing infertility often resort to using supplements containing Riboflavin, Thiamine, Niacin, Folate, Iron, Iodine, Pantothenic acid, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, Vitamin D, Zinc, Magnesium, Chromium, and Manganese e.t.c.
To balance hormones, menstruation and even ovulation. Examples of supplements containing such nutrients include; EU Natural CONCEPTION Female Fertility Prenatal, FullWell Vitality + Virility, Natalist Prenatal Daily Packs, Garden of Life Raw CoQ10, Ritual Prenatal Multivitamin, Nature’s Craft Fertility Booster, Premama Prenatal Vitamin.
Most of the supplements listed have been confirmed to be affordable, third-party tested, free of fillers and artificial ingredients, vegetarian-friendly and gluten-free (Nature’s Craft Fertility Booster is not vegetarian-friendly, as it contains gelatin), formulated to increase absorption, even at that, its cons are some are quite costly and the need to ingest too many tablets at once.
On getting pregnant, expectant mothers take supplements containing Folic acid, Vitamin D, Iron, Calcium, Vitamin C, Omega-3 etc, to prevent defects in the unborn child, to boost the blood and even the general health of both the mother and the unborn child.
Examples of supplements containing such nutrients include Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and Vitamin B6, to help with nausea, Diphenhydramine (Unisom SleepGels®, Benadryl), for sleeplessness, Pregnacare,
The most common of the drugs used by pregnant women, helps in boosting nutrients of both mother and foetus, and it helps in the general development of the foetus.
Sometimes, the effects of supplements may include, hives, stomach bleeding, teeth stains, change of response to anaesthesia and even overdose, which can affect the unborn child adversely.
Although many expectant mothers in third-world countries use Orthodox medicines, during pregnancy, this should be used with utmost caution and must be prescribed by a professional.
Pregnant women should totally stay away from herbs like Comfrey, Mistletoe, Sassafras, Motherwort, Wild yam etc., as they can potentially harm the mother and baby.
Eating fruits like Dates, Qawoot, Figs, Pomegranates, Watermelons, Olives, Quinces e.t.c, has been reported, by the prophet of the Islamic fate, to be highly beneficial, for both the mother and the unborn child.
Not using supplements at all, during pregnancy can cause the following;
- defects such as Spina bifida – a situation where the spines of the child do not form properly, and Anencephaly – a situation where the babies’ skills and brain do not form properly, babies with this condition don’t usually survive this defect.
- anaemia, when the Iron level is low. Anaemia can lead to premature birth, miscarriage and even stillbirth.
- osteoporosis for the mother, as the foetus, leeches Calcium from her bones and teeth when the expectant mother does not take sufficient Calcium.
Dos and don’ts of using supplements during pregnancy.
Dos;
- consult a gynaecologist to prescribe suitable supplements.
- get lots of sleep.
- sleep on one’s right-hand side.
- eat healthy food.
- engage in not-too-strenuous exercises, to combat excessive weight gain, muscle pain, insomnia and even mood swings.
- monitor the foetus’ movements.
- take care of your mental health.
- always stay hydrated.
- ask for help.
Don’ts;
- avoid eating excessively(eating for two).
- avoid unhealthy foods.
- do not take alcohol and smoke, as these can lead to learning disabilities, poor growth and development and even behavioural problems, for the child, when given birth to.
- do not eat raw or uncooked meats, to avoid contracting food-borne diseases, such as Toxoplasmosis, Listeriosis and even food poisoning. These diseases can cause miscarriage, for the mother and defects, for the unborn child.
- do not sit in hot tubs or saunas, as they can raise the body temperature of the expectant mother, thereby, causing birth defects. Resting in Jacuzzis or similar environments can also induce miscarriage.
- avoid taking lots of Caffeine, as they can travel through the placenta, thereby, increasing the foetus’ heart rate.
- avoid cleaning cats’ waste. These wastes contain Toxoplasma gondii, one of the millions of parasites and bacteria found in cats’ waste. These parasites or bacteria, can lead to complications such as miscarriage or stillbirth, for the mother or health problems, including seizures and mental disabilities, for the baby.
- avoid losing weight during pregnancy.
- stay away from recreational drugs like Cocaine, Cannabis, Meta-amphetamine etc., as they can affect the unborn child adversely.
- move from uncomfortable positions like squatting or bending. This will not affect the foetus, because it is well cushioned by the amniotic fluids which allow it to move to some extent, but the expectant mother may trip or fall, when not too comfortable in such positions.
Myths and superstitions about using supplements during pregnancy in West Africa.
- taking cold water affects the baby in the womb.
- bending down can cause aspiration for the baby after birth.
- putting pins on one’s clothes will ward off evil and protect the unborn child.
In Conclusion
After childbirth, post-natal, nursing mothers take supplements containing Folate, DHA, Iodine, Iron, Vitamin A(this should not be taken excessively during pregnancy, as too much of it can harm the foetus’s development), Choline, Selenium e.t.c, to heal the lactating mother, boost her milk and even help the brain development and general growth of the infant.
Examples of post-natal supplements include FullWell Prenatal Multivitamin, MegaFood Baby & Me 2 Postnatal Multivitamin, Ritual Essential Postnatal Multivitamin, and Perelel Mom Multi Support Pack. Even though most of these drugs are third-party tested, suitable for vegetarians and designed for easy absorption, some are quite expensive, while others do not contain all the necessary nutrients, required for a lactating mother.
