Pregnancy

Description

Pregnancy is the period during which a woman carries a developing Fetus as a result of fertilization of the Endometrium of the Uterus.  The duration of the normal pregnancy is 226 days.

 

 

 

Hormones

 Large amounts of Chorionic Gonadotrophic Hormone are produced within the body by Trophoblasts during Pregnancy.

 Estrogens help to prepare the female body for Pregnancy (by stimulating the production of Trophoblasts).

 Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) stimulates the growth of Ovarian Follicles and Oocytes in the Ovaries of Women during Pregnancy:

 Caution:  excessive production of FSH during Pregnancy increases the likelihood of pregnant women bearing twins.

 Oxytocin causes contractions in the Uterus during the Labor phase of Pregnancy.

 Progesterone prepares the inner lining (Endometrium) of the Uterus (womb) for Pregnancy and if fertilization occurs, it maintains the Uterus throughout Pregnancy and prevents the further release of eggs from the Ovaries.

 Relaxin facilitates the birth process at the end of Pregnancy by causing relaxation and lengthening of the Cervix.  It also inhibits contractions of the Uterus.

Amino Acids

 Pregnancy causes the depletion of Carnitine.  ^[1] 

Minerals

 Calcium is often "leached" from women’s Bones during Pregnancy and this Calcium deficiency can contribute to Osteoporosis later in life:  ^[2]

 Calcium (1,000 mg per day) may alleviate the Muscle (leg) Cramps that often occur during Pregnancy (in approximately 99% of cases).

 Calcium helps to prevent Pregnancy-induced Toxemia.

 Women using Calcium supplements during Pregnancy should avoid the use of the Calcium Carbonate form of Calcium as this form inhibits the absorption of Iron - Iron is an important nutrient for women during Pregnancy as it helps to prevent Iron Deficiency Anemia in pregnant women.

 Magnesium may alleviate the Muscle (leg) Cramps that often occur during Pregnancy.  ^[3]

 The daily requirement for Selenium increases during Pregnancy.  ^[4]

Vitamins

 The daily requirement for Biotin increases during Pregnancy.  ^[5]

 The body''s requirement for Folic Acid doubles during Pregnancy (to 800 mcg per day):  ^[6]

 Folic Acid deficiency during Pregnancy can cause low birth weight in offspring.

 Folic Acid supplementation during Pregnancy may help to prevent Down’s Syndrome in offspring.  ^[7]

 Folic Acid deficiency during Pregnancy can cause Neural Tube Defects in offspring.  ^[8]

 Optimal Vitamin A intake is advisable during the pre-conception period before Pregnancy as Vitamin A deficiency is an underlying cause of some types of Birth Defects.  Caution:  Excessive Vitamin A intake during Pregnancy can also CAUSE Birth Defects.  ^[9]

 The body''s requirement for Vitamin C increases during Pregnancy.  ^[10]

 Women have an increased requirement for Vitamin D during Pregnancy.  ^[11]

 The body''s requirement for Vitamin Kincreases during Pregnancy (33% of pregnant women are found to be deficient in Vitamin K).

Water

 The daily requirement for Water increases during Pregnancy - it has been theorized that Morning Sickness occurs when sub-optimal quantities of Water are consumed by the mother and the Nausea that occurs during Morning Sickness may be a manifestation of Thirst from the unborn Fetus.

In other words, the children of mothers using the following supplements during Pregnancy may benefit (in terms of their health) immensely during the later stages of their life.

Hormones

 The offspring of mothers who have received supplemental, exogenous, natural Progesterone may exhibit greatly increased Intelligence.  ^[12] 

Lipids

 Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) supplementation during Pregnancy may improve the Intelligence, Memory and Sight of offspring:  ^[13]

 DHA deficiency in the mother during the prenatal period may cause impairment in the development of the Cerebral Cortex of offspring.

Minerals

 Iodine deficiency during Pregnancy may result in lowered Intelligence and increased risk of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in offspring.  ^[14]

 Zinc deficiency (during the prenatal period) may cause many types of Birth Defects including retarded Growth, early neonatal death, low birth weight and many malformations.  Optimal intake of Zinc during Pregnancy may help to prevent Asthma in offspring.  ^[15]