Prenatal Supplements or Iron and Folic Acid Only?
Reproductive Health2
Obie Editorial Team
Dr. Keith P. West, Jr., has conducted pioneering research focusing on mothers in Bangladesh, seeking to uncover the best supplementation strategy for newborns in this region. Babies here face challenges that threaten their survival and that of their mothers, linked to complications created by inadequate nutrition. Such challenges include:
Empowered by this mission, Dr. West and his team at the prestigious Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health engaged 44,567 mothers from Bangladesh in a study conducted at The JiVitA Project in Gaibandha. These mothers were generally at their 9th week of pregnancy upon starting supplementation. They were thoughtfully divided into two groups for comprehensive analysis:
Live births:
Infant mortality at 6 months:
Stillbirths:
Preterm births:
Low birth weight:
The research results indicate statistically notable benefits, particularly in reducing preterm births and low birth weights in those who took the full spectrum of supplements. For you, this suggests a potential difference a comprehensive supplement strategy may offer—an advantage towards a healthier pregnancy and birth.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Recommendations
ACOG suggests varying folic acid intake according to your pregnancy stage:
Moreover, it is recommended to consume 27 milligrams daily of iron consistently throughout pregnancy.
Additionally, ACOG emphasizes a well-rounded, nutrient-dense diet as the foundational source of all essential nutrients, while recommending supplements if your dietary intake is insufficient to meet these needs.
Sources: