Taking necessary supplements during pregnancy is as important as eating healthy when you're pregnant!Your body is working hard to grow your baby, so you need more nutrients than usual for your baby to develop strong bones, a healthy brain, and everything else they need.What necessary supplements are required during pregnancy?Adequate nutrients, such as protein, iron, calcium, and folic acid, are important for the proper growth of a baby's brain, bones, and organs.5 most important nutrients during pregnancy:Folic Acid: Folic Acid is a B vitamin that helps prevent neural tube defects in the baby, which can further lead to serious birth defects of the brain and spine. Amount of folic acid you need during this period:Before pregnancy: 400 mcg (micrograms) per day.During pregnancy and when breastfeeding, 600 mcg (micrograms) per day.Consuming this much folic acid is not possible only with food, and so folic acid is prescribed by the doctors. 2. Iron: Iron is essential for the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to both you and your baby. It is recommended that a pregnant woman should consume atleast 27 mg (milligrams) of iron a day.Reaching this amount alone with food is not possible and hence supplements are prescribed by the doctors. 3. Calcium: Calcium is a crucial nutrient during pregnancy as it can reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia, a serious medical condition that causes a sudden increase in the blood pressure. Calcium also helps in building up the baby's bones and teeth. Requirement of calcium are as follows: a. Pregnant adults: 1,000 mg (milligrams) of calcium in a day b. Pregnant teenagers (ages 14-18): 1,300 mg of calcium in a day.Consuming this much calcium is not possible only with food intake, and so calcium tablets are prescribed by the doctors. 4. Vitamin D: Vitamin D, a fat soluble vitamin is essential, as it helps absorb calcium in your body which further enhances building of the baby's bones and teeth. All pregnant women should get 600 IU (international units) of vitamin D per day. 5. Water: Getting enough fluids is also one special nutritional concern during pregnancy. During pregnancy, your body needs much more water to stay hydrated and support the life inside you. So it becomes really important to drink enough fluids every day.Just remember, taking too many supplements can sometimes have negative impact. It is important to consult your doctor to discuss your specific nutritional needs so that they can recommend any supplements as per your personalized needs.Source:-1. https://www.nutrition.gov/topics/whats-food 2. https://www.nutrition.gov/topics/whats-food/proteins

We have often heard about early age pregnancy and its risks. Let us today dive into this topic to know all about "Why is early pregnancy seen as a concern for young girls?"What is known as Early age pregnancy?Pregnancy that happens before the age of 20 is known as Early age pregnancy. About 16 million adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years give birth each year.Adolescent pregnancy is a serious problem that can have negative consequences for both mother and baby. Adolescent girls who give birth are at a higher risk of dying from childbirth than the women in their 20s or 30s. Not only for women, even the babies born to these mothers are more likely to die in their first year of life.There are multiple factors that contribute to adolescent pregnancy like lack of education and social pressure. In some cultures it is even a culture to marry off girls at a young age and have children early.How Early age pregnancy is a hazard to both mother and baby?Health Risks for the Mother:Increased risk of pregnancy complications: Teenage mothers are more likely to experience complications such as being overweight, anemia, malaria, sexually transmitted infections, preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy) and Obstetric fistula (a hole between the vagina and rectum or bladder).Higher risk of maternal mortality: Teenage mothers have a higher risk of dying during pregnancy or childbirth compared to those who conceive after 20 years of age.Limited educational and career opportunities: Early pregnancy disrupts a woman's education and career plans further leading to long-term disadvantages both economically and socially..Increased risk of mental health issues: Teenage mothers are not completely ready for these responsibilities and hence may experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems.Health Risks for the Newborn baby:Increased risk of low birth weight: Babies born to teenage mothers are more likely to be born prematurely or have low birth weight. This birthing state comes with various health problems too.Higher risk of infant mortality: Research has found that babies born to teenage mothers are more likely to die than the babies born to mothers in their 20s.Developmental delays: Children of teenage mothers may experience developmental delays in cognitive, language, and social skills.Early age pregnancy comes with significant health risks for both the mother and the baby. Therefore, the best time to get pregnant is between the ages of 20 and 35 years.We hope this video was helpful. So, plan your pregnancy well in time and watch our next video to clear some myths and misconceptions about pregnancy.Source:- https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/mca-documents/making-pregnancy-safer-notes-adolescent-pregnancy-volume-1-number-1.pdf

Pregnancy complications include physical and mental conditions that affect the health of the pregnant woman, their baby or both. It is important to get healthcare before, during, and after pregnancy to lower the risk of pregnancy complications. There are certain medical conditions that can complicate pregnancy.Let us discuss 5 major medical complications today:Don't Ignore these 5 major Medical Conditions During PregnancyDiabetes: Diabetes is a condition that affects how our body processes food into energy. The three main types of diabetes are: Type I, Type II and Gestational Diabetes. Managing Diabetes is important during pregnancy. If blood sugar levels are high during pregnancy, it can lead to serious health issues for both the mother and the baby, such as birth defects or preterm birth.Pregnant women with diabetes should regularly consult their doctor and follow a healthy diet and exercise plan.Heart Conditions: Heart Conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels also pose risks during pregnancy. While many women with heart issues have normal pregnancies, they may face higher risks of complications.It's important for women with heart conditions to inform their doctors early in their pregnancy for proper monitoring.High blood pressure: Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure. Hypertension is a common condition that may occur before pregnancy, while gestational hypertension develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Conditions like high blood pressure can lead to serious complications like preterm delivery or stroke. It is advised for women to manage their blood pressure through healthy lifestyle choices and regular check-ups.Hyperemesis gravidarum: It is a severe form of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, much worse than regular morning sickness. It can lead to dehydration and weight loss, requiring medical treatment.Certain Infections: There are certain kinds of infections like Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s) and Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s) can complicate pregnancy. Pregnant individuals should be screened for the infections that could harm their health or that of their baby. They should be updated on vaccinations to prevent infections.A common infection during pregnancy is a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), which can be treated effectively with antibiotics if caught early.Therefore, managing diabetes, heart conditions, high blood pressure, nausea, and infections is vital for a healthy pregnancy. Regular check-ups and consultations with doctors can help ensure both mother and baby remain healthy throughout pregnancy.Source:- https://www.cdc.gov/maternal-infant-health/pregnancy-complications/