Can I Take Emergen-C Whereas Pregnant?

Whenever you’re pregnant, staying as wholesome as doable is high of thoughts so you could be questioning for those who can take a packet of Emergen-C (ascorbic acid-multivitamin-minerals) whereas pregnant.

Daniel Roshan, MD, a high-risk maternal-fetal OB-GYN at Rosh Maternal & Fetal Medication in New York Metropolis, says that Emergen-C is okay to take whereas pregnant.

“Vitamin C will increase iron absorption from the abdomen and reduces anemia,” Dr. Roshan says. “It additionally helps individuals to get well from a chilly quicker, so total it is a good complement to take. Nutritional vitamins B and C are each water-soluble which implies that any extra of it you do not want comes out of the physique.”

Be taught extra about what Emergen-C is and the advantages and security precautions related to this dietary complement.

Is It Protected To Take Emergen-C Throughout Being pregnant?

It’s secure to take Emergen-C whereas pregnant, regardless of the beforehand talked about unknowns about its efficacy. Whether or not or not you select to take the complement is extra of a risk-reward query you need to ask your self and your well being care supplier.

“The World Well being Group (WHO) doesn’t advocate the widespread supplementation of vitamin C throughout being pregnant,” says Marco Mouanness, MD, an OB-GYN at Rejuvenating Fertility Heart in New York. “That doesn’t imply vitamin C use throughout being pregnant may hurt you, however it does imply there’s not sufficient proof that the advantages outweigh the chance.”

For adults, a tolerable higher consumption degree of vitamin C is 2,000 every day (that is twice the quantity in a single packet of Emergen-C). Unwanted side effects related to taking an excessive amount of vitamin C are uncommon, however it nonetheless ought to be famous, like bouts of diarrhea and total gastrointestinal upset. So whereas it is OK to make use of Emergen-C, there is not any must take it incessantly.

What Is Emergen-C?

Emergen-C Unique Formulation Immune Assist is the complement largely often known as a fizzy mixture of vitamins (once more, primarily vitamin C and B nutritional vitamins) designed to be blended with water and drank as an immune booster. The very first iteration of Emergen-C was an orange taste, doubtless developed to drive residence how a lot vitamin C it contains, however now there are lots of completely different flavors out there.

Individuals might take Emergen-C on the first indicators of a chilly, whereas touring, or if they’ve not too long ago been round others who’re sick. Some individuals will take it throughout the winter months for added vitamin C when they’re spending extra time indoors than out.

There aren’t any research particularly testing the effectiveness of Emergen-C, so we will not definitively say whether or not or not this specific complement truly works. Nonetheless, a 2013 research did consider the efficacy of vitamin C in stopping and treating widespread colds. Finally, the researchers discovered that whereas vitamin C did not cut back the incidence of colds, it did seem to shorten the period of a chilly in addition to lower the severity of its signs.

What If I Take Emergen-C Earlier than Realizing I’m Pregnant?

For those who took Emergen-C as directed earlier than you knew you had been pregnant, there isn’t any trigger for concern. It is extraordinarily uncommon to “overdose” on vitamin C. There is no such thing as a proof suggesting an excessive amount of vitamin C whereas pregnant, together with these days and weeks earlier than you already know you are pregnant, could have antagonistic results in your child.

Advantages of Emergen-C Throughout Being pregnant

The jury continues to be out on whether or not or not Emergen-C is a really efficient complement. Nonetheless, as Dr. Roshan said, vitamin C has been proven to assist lower the probabilities of turning into anemic by growing iron absorption within the abdomen. As well as, analysis has proven that vitamin C can assist cut back the severity and period of the widespread chilly.

Whereas it is uncommon in america, individuals can develop a vitamin C deficiency often known as scurvy. Scurvy typically solely happens when somebody does not have sufficient entry to meals to fulfill their fundamental dietary wants. Supplementation with Emergen-C to forestall a vitamin C deficiency is not essential except you are experiencing meals insecurity.

“Some research have proven a diminished danger of preterm rupture of the 2 chorioamniotic membranes in sufferers supplemented with vitamin C throughout being pregnant,” says Dr. Mouanness. “These membranes are referred to as the amnion and the chorion, which make up the amniotic sac surrounding the fetus, offering it safety.”

When these membranes rupture, it is what is named your “water breaking” and might be one of many first indicators of labor.

Security Precautions

Although Emergen-C is believed to be secure throughout being pregnant, it is all the time vital to test with a well being care supplier earlier than self-supplementing. For those who discover any uncommon signs or modifications after taking Emergen-C, make sure to allow them to know.

“A few of the indicators that it is best to search for are extreme nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, heartburn, abdomen cramps, bloating, fatigue and sleepiness, insomnia, headache, and pores and skin flushing,” says Dr. Mouanness. “Nonetheless, it is vitally tough for sufferers generally to distinguish between being pregnant signs and the event of those signs as a consequence of vitamin C.”

He suggests ensuring you might be getting sufficient vitamin C in your every day food plan. Incorporating meals like broccoli, kiwi, oranges, strawberries, and tomatoes, that are all excessive in vitamin C, into your meals is an effective place to begin.

Moreover, just be sure you’re not taking an excessive amount of vitamin C throughout being pregnant, the higher restrict is 2000 mg. Verify the quantity of vitamin C in your prenatal nutritional vitamins to gage complete every day consumption earlier than taking Emergen-C.