Nutrients, how much more and why do you need and where to get them?

Vitamin A- The demand during pregnancy increases by 10% compared to a non-pregnant woman.

Why does a pregnant lady need Vitamin A?

Vitamin A is crucial to the pregnant woman for:

• normal development of the baby's organs; the heart, lungs, kidneys, eyes and immune system. A deficiency of Vitamin A may lead to increased birth defects, and developmental abnormalities in child
• healthy immune system, a deficiency in vitamin predisposes a risk to the pregnant lady of being susceptible to respiratory and urinary tract infections. Its deficiency also slows wound healing
• proper functioning of visual system and a deficiency leads to nigh-time blindness even for pregnant women

So, in what foods is Vitamin A found?

• Leafy green vegetables (kale, spinach, broccoli) 
• Orange
• Yellow vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, winter squash, summer squash)
• Tomatoes
• Red bell pepper 
• Cantaloupe                             
• Mango
• Beef liver 
• Fish oils
• Milk
• Eggs
• Fortified foods.