Hi There!
Taking a good prenatal vitamin is a good idea - best if started before the actual
pregnancy so you do not go into the pregnant state deficient in
folic acid or iron.
Most prenatals will provide 100% of the recommended intakes for all major nutrients. Two of the most critical are:5mg folic acid
10 mcg vitamin D. Also try to eat foods high in folic acid such as green vegies and pulses as well as fortified cereals. Taking folic acid can prevent
spina bifida.
While recommending actual brand names is discouraged on the forum, there are some well known brands on the market. Ask your local pharmacist if you are unsure.
Is there anything else you should do? Keep fit. Walk everyday. Drink enough pure clean water daily. Eat a variety of health foods such as fresh fruit, fresh or lightly steamed vegies, whole grains, fortified cereals and dairy to get your calcium (only fortified milk/cereal has vitamin D unless you have access to fatty fish that are taken from clean waters). Try to keep regular by eating enough fiber, drinking enough water and being active with a regular exercise routine. Fortified cereals have iron as does molasses, spinach, meat.
Eating a food high in
vitamin C along with a food high in iron will increase absorption of the iron.
These are just a few tips towards a healthy pregnancy. Oh, and gain the proper amount of weight which is dependent on the weight you were at when you got pregnant. Avoid added sugars!
Regards, Kathryn Shattler, MS,RDN