Iron and Vitamins

Eating a nutritious diet along with taking certain vitamins and minerals can help you stay healthy and meet the needs of your developing baby. Some pregnant people have trouble getting the iron they need through diet alone. Not getting enough iron during pregnancy can cause fatigue, stress, and preterm labour and can lower your resistance to infection. Other vitamins such as folic acid, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium and vitamin D are also important for a healthy pregnancy. Adding supplements to your diet can help you meet the recommended dose of vitamins and minerals. The links below provide information on the importance of vitamins and minerals during pregnancy, including guidance on how to choose your multivitamin, recommended daily amounts, and how to get all the nutrients you need with a vegetarian or vegan diet.

• The MotHERS Program - Information about prenatal vitamins

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• HealthyFamiliesBC - Vitamins and minerals when planning a pregnancy

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• HealthLinkBC - Tips on following a vegetarian or vegan diet while pregnant

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• Unlock Food - Information on iron, including recommended intake and more

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• Sunnybrook HSC - Iron deficiency and supplementation in pregnancy

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• Ontario Midwives  - Iron deficiency anemia and you