Risks and side effects of dietary supplementation in pregnancy | Food supplements during pregnancy

Risks and side effects of dietary supplementation in pregnancy

Food supplementation during pregnancy is a major issue. Due to the large number of food supplements advertised and offered, it is not always obvious to the pregnant woman to find the right product. Many of the preparations are superfluous, some can even harm the child or the mother, so it is extremely important that the pregnant woman obtains detailed advice before taking dietary supplements and, under certain circumstances, also visits a nutritionist to minimize the risk of adverse effects.

If the recommended supplements iodine and folic acid are taken correctly, no side effects are known during pregnancy. The situation is different with vitamin preparations. Vitamin E and A in particular can harm the unborn child or cause the mother to suffer a rupture of the bladder or abdominal pain at an early stage.

Other dietary supplements such as iron can cause stomach pain and constipation under certain circumstances. Due to the large number of side effects of the various dietary supplements, it is difficult for laypersons to find the right one. However, it is also a fact that many dietary supplements are not needed at all during pregnancy, as they are automatically absorbed through a balanced diet. In order to reduce the risks and side effects, pregnant women should therefore not search for food supplements indiscriminately and on their own.