Your Guide to Prenatal Vitamins | Why They Matter & How to Choose

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INTRODUCTION

What are prenatal vitamins? Why do women need them? Are they just another way for the pharma industry to make money, or do pregnant women really need them?

Are you pregnant, considering getting pregnant or have a loved one who is currently or planning on getting pregnant? If you answered yes to any of those questions we can understand why you made your way here. We understand that you may have some concerns about prenatal vitamins and how they affect both mommy and baby. And you are in the right place because we have all the answers to your prenatal vitamin related questions right here.

So what are prenatal vitamins? These are multivitamin formulations that are created for women who are pregnant and breastfeeding. Though once thought off only to be good for women in those categories, new knowledge suggests that prenatal vitamins can be beneficial before conception for those who are actively trying to have a baby.

Prenatal vitamins provide you with all the nutrients that your changing body and your developing baby needs to grow adequately. While they offer you added nutrients they need to be supported by good nutrition as well.

What ingredients to look for in prenatal vitamins?

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend that women who are pregnant should supplement their diets prenatal supplements including folic acid, calcium, vitamin D and iron. They note the primary ingredients to look for are;

Folic acid
Iron
Calcium
Vitamin D

The March of Dimes also indicates that Omega-3 fatty acids along with iodine are essential for a baby’s healthy development.

What happens if I don't take prenatal vitamins during pregnancy?

To answer this question we want to look at the three main ingredients of your prenatal vitamin. According to WebMD, these vitamins your baby and your body need during pregnancy.

Folic Acid – this vitamin is essential for the proper development of your baby’s spinal cord and brain. Without adequate intake of this nutrient, your child is at a higher risk of being born with anencephaly and spina bifida.
Calcium – this essential component of prenatal vitamins helps to protect mommy’s calcium supply. Without this, your baby will develop but you can end up with a loss in bone density as your body moves calcium to enable the baby’s proper growth.
Iron – this nutrient is essential for ensuring your baby has a good supply of oxygen. It can also prevent a premature baby or a baby born too small.

Can I take prenatal vitamins if I'm not pregnant?

There are several unproven claims about taking prenatal vitamins while not pregnant. These include the ability to have stronger nails and thicker hair. While the calcium content may lead to these it is important to note that high levels of some nutrients found in prenatal vitamins over a long time can be harmful. Read more at Mayo Clinic.

What time should prenatal vitamins be taken?

This differs from one woman to the next. There is no time of day that is better for taking a prenatal vitamin-based off of absorption. However, if you find your prenatal vitamins make you nauseous you can opt to take them at bedtime. This way you won’t have to worry about them triggering these feelings during the day when you need to be up and about.

Do prenatal vitamins make you more fertile?

Taking prenatal vitamins won’t make you more fertile but it will provide you with adequate nutrients if you are considering conceiving or even for an unexpected pregnancy. In the event of the latter, the baby will have adequate stores to take from for their development. Taking prenatal vitamins before conception ensure that the fetus will develop properly and be at less risk of health complications.

What are the side effects of prenatal vitamins?

Side effects from prenatal vitamins do exist but they are not common for the majority of the population taking these supplements. An article on MedicneNet.com by Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD states that more commonly women who take prenatal vitamins may find that the iron in the tablets causes nausea and constipation. You may also find your stools may become dark with regular intake of prenatal vitamins.

Does taking prenatal vitamins increase the chances of having twins?

A study done in Sweden indicates that folic acid may increase the chances of having twins. Bengt Källén of the Tornblad Institute in Lund used data from the Switzerland birth register to deduce that women taking prenatal vitamins showed an increase in twin births. Källén’s team note that the reason this occurs is not clear but deduces that the folic acid may increase the probability of the implantation of multiple eggs or even multiple ovulation.

What are the benefits of taking prenatal vitamins before pregnancy?

In the Web MD Article _ Protect Your Pregnancy Before you Conceive we see were experts are suggesting women take 400 micrograms of folic acid before trying for a baby. They also note that low levels of Vitamin D can reduce your chances of getting pregnant as well. They are also suggesting prenatal vitamins that also include DHA which is a type of omega 3 fatty acid that your baby will need when you do get pregnant. Your doctor can suggest an additional DHA supplement along with a prenatal supplement that does not contain that ingredient.

Does taking prenatal help get pregnant?

While the prenatal vitamin will not necessarily help you get pregnant taking it does provide a better environment for the health of your baby at conception. Furthermore, if you’re vitamin D levels are low you can improve your chances of getting pregnant sooner by supplementing. In such a case, just go right ahead and take a prenatal vitamin which will have more than just the Vitamin D so your baby will get the right nutrients from conception.

Should you take prenatal vitamins when trying to get pregnant?

Experts suggest that women should start taking prenatal vitamins before trying to get pregnant. Look for prenatal vitamins that contain up to 600 mcg of folic acid, 27 mg of iron, 1000 mg of calcium and 600 IU of vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of the calcium and also for supporting your immune system, muscles, nerves and of course bones.

Can I take a multivitamin instead of a prenatal vitamin?

If you are considering having a baby, are pregnant or breastfeeding the best multivitamin for you is a prenatal vitamin. These supplements will contain more folic acid and more iron than your typical multivitamins and these are essential for both you and your baby during these times. Just remember to always consume a healthy diet whilst taking these prenatal vitamins.

Are prenatal vitamins really necessary?

Yes, prenatal vitamins are really necessary. According to ACOG women who are pregnant and lactating require more folic acid and iron than is contained in the diet or even in other multivitamins. To help ensure women do get these nutrients in their appropriate amounts, prenatal vitamins are necessary.

Do I need to take prenatal vitamins if I'm not breastfeeding?

Prenatal vitamins are essential after delivery for women who are breastfeeding. This is because women who are lactating require enough nutrients to help with the production of breast milk. If you are considering breastfeeding you should continue taking your prenatal vitamins after delivery.

CONCLUSION

Prenatal vitamins are an essential part of a pregnant woman’s diet. But it doesn’t start or stop there. It is recommended that women start taking prenatal vitamins the minute they know they are going to be trying to conceive. These vitamins have more of the necessary nutrients to support the growth of a healthy baby and so they cannot be replaced with a regular multivitamin. Remember to keep supplementing after delivery as well so your breastmilk will have the best quality to continue your baby’s journey to a healthy life.