Wrong dosage during pregnancy

Pregnant women often incorrectly dose vitamins and minerals. This was the result of a survey conducted by the Technical University of Munich.

Pregnant women are increasingly taking so-called nutritional supplements to provide the unborn child with sufficient nutrients. However, many pregnant women often take preparations incorrectly, as a Munich study showed. Some of the drugs are either taken too late or the doses are much too high. Over 90 percent of women took supplements during the course of their pregnancy.

97 percent of women take supplements For the study, the Technical University of Munich (TUM) surveyed a total of 522 women in the first three days after the birth of the child. 97 percent of the respondents stated that they had taken at least one supplement during pregnancy. Two-thirds of the women said they had taken supplemental nutrients even before conception.

Many dose over The doses taken, however, differed significantly. The study participants took between 0.2 and 5 milligrams of folic acid per day. However, gynecologists recommend a daily intake of 0.4 milligrams. Depending on the circumstances, this amount of folic acid should be administered four weeks before a possible pregnancy. About a third of women followed this recommendation. Folic acid should be taken before pregnancy to reduce the risk of a neural tube defect in the child.

Dosages that are too high for iron supplements Generally, iron supplements have been taken too high. Here the average intake fluctuated between 4 and 600 milligrams per day. However, the German Society for Nutrition recommends an iron consumption of about 30 milligrams per day, whereby it must be ensured that iron is also supplied by food. Fish, whole grains, legumes and many types of vegetables have a particularly high iron content. A blood test at the gynecologist can determine whether there is an additional need for iron. If the iron dose is too high, the unborn child can even be harmed to health, as the researchers from Munich warned. Three quarters of women also took magnesium supplements. Here, however, according to the scientists, a medical benefit for child and mother has not been proven. (sb)

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