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Thursday, April 9, 2009

Refusal to Take Vitamins During Pregnancy

QUESTION: My sister, who is 19, is having her first baby.
She is three months along, and although her doctor has told her to take vitamins, iron and calcium, she refuses.
She says it is not necessary! Would you please explain the situation to her? I am five years older than her and I have tried to talk with her but she refuses to listen.

ANSWER: Well young sister, what are we going to do with you? The newspapers and journals are just full of information that explains the necessity of good nutrition and health care, particularly during the months of pregnancy. Surely you are aware that your normal diet, no matter how perfect, will fail to provide sufficient nutrition for both you and the new life that is now your responsibility.
The fact is that due to the way human physiology works, the baby will make demands that your body will have to supply.
If you do not take calcium supplements, for example, the growing baby will steal your supplies, taking the calcium it needs to develop from your bones.
The head start to health that you can provide your child now will affect its entire life.
Both physical and mental development requires that the necessary nutrients be in place from the very beginning of life, and only you can provide them now. Perhaps you are having some doubts and fears about now, and are a bit overwhelmed by this whole process.
But it looks like you have a loving older sister and a concerned physician standing by to offer the answers and help you need.
If it takes a message from me to convince you, that you have, but it is the circle of family, friends and physician that can really offer the information you may need.
Why not take advantage of the Pre-Natal Classes that are offered in many hospitals and Health Centers across our country, to get yourself and your baby back on track? Someday you will be very glad you did.


The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.