Pregnancy is a crucial stage when the nutritional needs of both the mother and the developing baby increase significantly. Among the essential nutrients, folic acid, and vitamin B12 play a vital role in supporting a healthy pregnancy and ensuring the proper development of the foetus. Vitamin B12 is essential during pregnancy as it helps with cell division. Vitamin B12 helps in DNA synthesis and combined with folic acid, stimulates the development of your baby’s brain and spinal cord.

Let’s explore the importance of these nutrients during pregnancy and their benefits for both the mother and the baby.

Folic Acid

Folic acid, often known as folate, is vital for the development of new cells and the production of DNA. It is vital during pregnancy for the following reasons:

  1. Neural Tube Development: Adequate folic acid intake before and during early pregnancy can significantly reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) in the baby, such as spina bifida and anencephaly. Neural tube defects affect the development of the brain and spinal cord.
  2. Red Blood Cell Production: Folic acid is helpful in the production of red blood cells, necessary for delivering oxygen to the baby and preventing anaemia in the mother.
  3. DNA and Genetic Material: Folic acid is necessary for the synthesis of DNA and genetic material in cells, promoting healthy cell division and growth in the developing foetus.

Vitamin B12 in Pregnancy

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is crucial for various functions in the body, including nerve function, DNA synthesis, and the production of red blood cells. During pregnancy, it serves the following purposes:

  1. Neurological Development: Adequate vitamin B12 intake is crucial for developing the baby’s brain and nervous system.
  1. Red Blood Cell Formation:Vitamin B12, along with folic acid, is helpful in the production of healthy red blood cells, preventing maternal anaemia and ensuring optimal oxygen supply to the baby.
  1. DNA Synthesis:Vitamin B12 plays a vital role in the synthesis and maintenance of DNA, ensuring proper growth and development of the foetus.

Food Sources

Folic acid can be obtained from various food sources such as leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, beans, fortified cereals, and bread. Good sources of vitamin B12 include meat, fish, dairy products, and eggs. However, it’s important to understand that since vitamin B12 is largely found in foods derived from animals, vegetarians and vegans can take Vitamin B12 through fortified meals or supplements.

Trimacare Pregnancy Supplement

Trimacare is a prenatal vitamin supplement made specifically for Indian pregnant women. Trimacare prenatal supplements during pregnancy contain folate that stimulates the growth of the child’s spine and brain. Trimacare multivitamin for women is the best B12 supplement for vegetarian pregnant women because it is a 100% vegetarian pregnancy multivitamin.

Trimacare 1 (prenatal vitamins for the first trimester of pregnancy) contains 5 mg of Folate (in L-methyl folate form) recommended by India’s leading gynaecologists. Trimacare contains L-methyl folate, an advanced form of folic acid that is 7 times more bioavailable. L-Methyl Folate, which is present in Trimacare Prenatal Tablets, is absorbed even by those who have an MTHFR gene mutation. Along with 20+ other vital elements, Trimacare 2 and Trimacare 3 pregnancy multivitamins for the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, each contains 0.5 mg of folate. Trimacare prenatal vitamins with folic acid are formulated under the supervision of renowned doctors, nutritionists, and pharmacologists in following the ICMR and WHO Multi-Micronutrient Model.

Vitamin B12 and folic acid have a closely intertwined relationship during pregnancy. They work together to support various functions in the body, including DNA synthesis, red blood cell formation, and neurological development. Folic acid and Vitamin B12 are essential nutrients that play a significant role in supporting a healthy pregnancy and ensuring proper development of the baby. During pregnancy, folic acid intake is normally 600–800 micrograms (mcg) per day, whereas vitamin B12 intake is typically 2.6 mcg per day.

Adequate intake of these nutrients through a balanced diet and supplementation, under a doctor’s guidance can, contribute to a healthy pregnancy and reduce the risk of certain birth defects and complications.

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