Pregnancy is a time when it is important to be as healthy as possible for both the healthy development of your baby and the well-being of you. maintaining a vegetarian diet and pregnancy can cause maternal health to come unstuck if not well thought-out. Without proper understanding of what vitamins and minerals are necessary during pregnancy, the development of your growing baby and your own health can be at serious risk. This is why it is important for women who follow a plant-based diet to be prepared from the very start of the first trimester.
The Importance of Vitamin B12
The human body needs vitamin B12 to make red blood cells, nerves, DNA, and carry out other functions. The average adult should get 2.4 micrograms a day. People who have weight-loss surgery are also more likely to be low in vitamin B12 because the operation interferes with the body’s ability to extract vitamin B12 from food.
Very low B12 intakes can cause anaemia and nervous system damage.
Boosting Vitamin B12 in a Vegetarian Diet
Plants don’t make vitamin B12. The only foods that deliver it are meat, eggs, poultry, dairy products, and other foods from animals. Strict vegetarians and vegans are at high risk for developing a B12 deficiency if they don’t eat grains that have been fortified with B12 or take a B12 supplement.
Examples of fortified foods containing B12 include cereals, yoghurt, bread and milk.
A serious vitamin B12 deficiency can be corrected two ways: Your GP or obstetrician can administer shots of vitamin B12 or recommend a daily high-dose B12 supplement. A mild B12 deficiency can be corrected with a standard multivitamin.
Boosting Your Vitamin B12 with a Vitamin B12 Shot
We can provide vitamin B12 injections to our obstetric and gynaecology patients who have low levels due to diet or health. A simple injection is administered in our rooms by a treating specialist. The non-invasive injection ensures a boost to vitamin B12 and will provide elevated levels for up to 3 – 6 months depending on dietary intake.
To find out more about booking in for a vitamin B12 injection, call our rooms on 3344-1656
