Are vitamins generally recommended during pregnancy?
Most vitamins are generally regarded as safe during pregnancy. In fact, that is precisely the time when they are most needed! Not only must the diet support the mother’s health and vitality, but that of her developing baby as well. A deficiency of certain nutrients (such as vitamin B12 or folic acid) during the early stages of pregnancy has been shown to significantly increase the risk to birth defects such as spina bifida. There is some animal evidence, however, that high levels of other vitamins may increase risk to birth defects. Vitamin A, for example, has been shown in dosages higher than 8,000 IU to increase risk. For that reason it is not advisable to take high levels of vitamins during pregnancy without first consulting your healthcare provider.
