When you are pregnant it is very important your baby gets the right vitamins and minerals. If your diet is currently lacking in certain vitamins or minerals this can seriously affect the development of your unborn child. In this article I outline seven vital vitamins for pregnant women and explain why they are important.

1) Vitamin A:- This vitamin assists in the development of a baby's bones and teeth. Not getting enough Vitamin A can lead to your baby suffering from eyesight problems. There are multiple dietary sources of Vitamin A including; carrots, sweet potatoes, liver, eggs and mangos.

2) Vitamin B12:- This vitamim works with Folic Acid to help create healthy red blood cells in your baby. Vitamin B12 can be found in; dairy products, shellfish, eggs, poultry and red meat, as well as vegan products such as soy milk and tofu.

3) Vitamin C:- This Vitamin is essential for the healthy development of your baby's immune system. Vitamin C is largely found in fruits and vegetables such as; citrus fruits, rasberries, green beans, papaya, brocolli, tomatoes and bell peppers.

4) Vitamin D:- This vitamin is required for healthy bone development in your baby as it helps the body ingest calcium. Babies require a relatively high level of Vitamin D whilst they are growing. Many products are fortified with Vitamin D including; fortified milk, baby formula milk, eggs and fatty fish. You can also get some of your Vitamin D requirements by spending time in the sun.

5) Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid/Folate):- Folic Acid is very important for the replication of DNA, cell growth and tissue formation. A Folic Acid deficiency can create a number of neural tube defects in your baby such as spina bifida, a condition where the spinal cord does not form properly. Folic Acid can be found in; oranges, leafy vegetables, broccoli, pasta, sunflower seeds and strawberries.

6) Vitamin B3 (Niacin):- Niacin helps build the placenta in pregnant women. It can be found in; whole grains, fortified cereals, bread products, milk, meats and peanuts.

7) Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin):- Riboflavin helps the baby develop bones, muscles and a nervous system. Not getting enough Riboflavin can lead to pre-ecclampsia (a condition causing abnormally high blood pressure and fluid retention in expectant mothers) and also suppress the development of the baby's immune system. Riboflavin can be sourced in; meat, fish, eggs and fortified cereals.

As you can see consuming the right vitamins makes a significant contribution to the healthy development of your unborn child. I hope this article gives you some sound advice on the topic. However, it is important that you consult your doctor also as they are trained in this area and can provide you with professional advice on vitamins and possible supplementation.