Prenatal Multivitamins

Pregnancy increases the nutritional requirements in women. It's imperative to prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy even before conception. Women of childbearing age and those who are trying to conceive can build up healthy reserves of nutrients with the regular uptake of vitamins and minerals. To meet the increasing nutritional needs of the body for a healthy pregnancy, prenatal multivitamins are crucial.

These prenatal multivitamin supplements contain important ingredients like folic acid, calcium, and iron. These vitamins and minerals support both the mom and baby. A healthy diet is important before and during pregnancy. But the additional nutritional needs can't be met with foods alone. 

Your body may need increased amounts of nutrients to support a growing pregnancy. Women should consult with their healthcare provider and, under their close supervision, can take comprehensive prenatal vitamins and multivitamins. 

Do I Really Need a Prenatal Vitamin if I Eat Healthy?

Yes, even with a nutritious diet, factors like soil nutrient depletion, food processing, and individual absorption rates can lead to deficiencies. Prenatal vitamins provide a reliable source of essential nutrients, ensuring consistent intake regardless of dietary variations.

Prenatal vitamins are specially formulated supplements designed to meet the increased nutritional needs of women before, during, and after pregnancy. They provide essential vitamins and minerals that support fetal development and maternal health. 

Prenatal vitamins contain higher levels of specific nutrients such as folic acid, iron, calcium, and iodine, which are critical during pregnancy.

Some of the prenatal vitamin benefits are:

• Adequate folic acid intake lowers the risk of neural tube defects.

• Iron supplementation helps maintain healthy red blood cell levels.

• Nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and DHA contribute to the development of bones, teeth, and the nervous system. 

• Proper nutrition reduces the risk of low birth weight and associated complications.

Role of Prenatal Multivitamins Before, During, and After Pregnancy

It's a common assumption that prenatal multivitamins are something that women take after they confirm their pregnancy. Did you know that prenatal multivitamins are useful before, during, and after pregnancy?

• Before Pregnancy: Starting a prenatal multivitamin with folic acid at least three months before conception helps build nutrient reserves. Folic acid is the most important nutrient needed at this stage and throughout the first trimester. You can also choose specific preconception formulations like Theralogix TheraNatal OvaVite which has rich fertility-focused nutrients, including CoQ10, to boost egg quality. Another option from the same brand is Theralogix TheraNatal Core Preconception Vitamins, which provides continued support after becoming pregnant too. 

• During Pregnancy: The body's nutritional demands increase to support the growing fetus. Prenatal vitamins supply essential nutrients like iron, calcium, and DHA, which are vital for fetal development and maternal health. Theralogix TheraNatal Complete Prenatal Vitamins is one of the most comprehensive multivitamin options for prenatal support. Those who want a hassle-free way to take just one multivitamin for the prenatal stage may find Theralogix TheraNatal One Prenatal Vitamins softgels to be useful. 

• After Pregnancy: Postpartum, the body requires nutrients to recover and, if breastfeeding, to provide adequate nutrition for the baby. Continuing prenatal vitamins during this period supports maternal health and lactation.

What to Look For in a Prenatal Multivitamin?

Folic Acid

Before pregnancy and until 12 weeks, women need 400 mcg of folic acid every day. This reduces the risk of fetal development issues. Generally, experts advise that you start taking folic acid supplements at least 3 months before pregnancy. It's better to start taking supplements with folic acid as soon as you start trying for pregnancy. 

Suppose you didn't take folic acid supplements before pregnancy, then you should start taking prenatal vitamins with folic acid as soon as you find out that you are pregnant. This is important to reduce the risk of neural tube birth defects, including spina bifida and other birth defects like cleft lip palate. 

Green leafy vegetables contain folate, which is the natural form of folic acid. Some breakfast cereals and fat spreads may also have it. However, to get the recommended amounts before and after consumption, it's crucial to take a prenatal multivitamin with folate like Thorne Basic Prenatal. 

For some women, the risk of birth defects may be higher and your doctor may advise you to take a higher dose of folic acid, such as 5 mg. This may be needed:

• If you or your father has a family history of neural tube defects. 

• It is also suggested for women who have had a previous pregnancy impacted by a neural tube defect. 

• Diabetic women who try to get pregnant may also need a higher folic acid dosage.

You should consult your doctor to determine if a higher dosage is required and take prenatal multivitamins as per their advice. 

Vitamin D 

Vitamin D supplements are also needed during pregnancy as you may need 10 micrograms of this vitamin. While our body makes vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, it may not be produced enough in the body. Vitamin D is important for regulating calcium and phosphate levels in the body for healthy bones, teeth, and muscles. 

Even though vitamin D is present in foods like oily fish, eggs, and red meat, you may get it only in limited quantities. So, multivitamin supplements with vitamin D can be useful. 

33% of women in the US don't get enough vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy increases the risk of pregnancy complications like preeclampsia, preterm birth, gestational diabetes, and C-section delivery. 

Many prenatal multivitamins contain vitamin D in the range of 400 IU (10 mcg) to 1,000 IU (25 mcg). For instance, Pure Encapsulations PreNatal Nutrients has 1000 IU of vitamin D along with other nutrients. 

In a study, it was found that 76% of moms and 81% of newborns are deficient in vitamin D. Another study suggested that pregnant women may need 4000 IU of vitamin D. However, not all women need this amount. It's best to test vitamin D levels in your blood and take the appropriate dosage depending on what your doctor recommends. 

Calcium

When a pregnant mother takes sufficient amount of calcium, it can help with bones, teeth, heart, and nerves development of the baby. Many women need 1000 mg of calcium when they are pregnant. Older pregnant women may need a higher dosage of calcium. 

Some of the natural food sources of calcium are milk, cheese, yoghurt, broccoli, kale, etc. Those who are lactose intolerant or are vegan may not consume enough dairy foods to get the required amount of calcium. In such cases, a prenatal multivitamin with added calcium can be useful. 

During pregnancy, your body can mobilize calcium from your bones to nourish your child if you don't have enough calcium for the baby. This can increase your risk for osteoporosis later in life. 

Calcium supplements may contain calcium carbonate or calcium citrate forms. Some supplements also contain vitamin D to improve calcium absorption. You may need to continue to take calcium supplements while you are breastfeeding too, because women generally lose up to 5% of their bone mass during breastfeeding. 

Iron

A deficiency of iron may lead to anaemia. Pregnant women need more iron and they may get it from food sources like lean meat, green leafy vegetables, nuts, dried foods, etc. 

Taking a prenatal multivitamin with iron is important throughout your pregnancy. Even after delivery, lactating women need iron supplements. Some of the prenatal multivitamins containing iron are  Vital Nutrients PreNatal Multi-Nutrients, Zahler Total One Prenatal

Choline

Not many women know about the importance of choline during pregnancy. Higher levels of choline in mothers may reduce the risk of neural tube defects in babies, according to a study. More interestingly, choline may improve cognition by reducing circulating cortisol levels. 

This is significant because when babies are exposed to lower levels of cortisol from their mother during pregnancy, it may lower the production of cortisol in the baby as well. Over their lifetime, the child may have a reduced risk of some stress-related disorders. 

Foods rich in choline are egg yolk, beef liver, beef, salmon, etc. When you take prenatal vitamins, check if they contain choline. 

DHA 

DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid that is also important for pregnant women. It helps support the developing baby's needs as well. If a woman is deficient in HDHA, the fetus also relies on DHA and this puts the mom at an increased risk for DHA deficiency. You can take a prenatal multivitamin + dha supplement to meet your daily DHA requirement. 

As women should consume limited amounts of low-mercury fish, taking omega-3 supplements is the best way to get this DHA during pregnancy. Nordic Naturals Prenatal DHA Gummy is a fish oil supplement that doesn't have a fishy taste. 

Iodine

Iodine plays a crucial role in thyroid hormone production. When the mother has adequate levels of thyroid hormone, it can help with fetal neurodevelopment. Even a minimal deficiency in the mother may be linked to lower cognitive function in children, according to a study. 

Breastfeeding moms also need an adequate amount of iodine for their child's nutrition. As per the WHO, pregnant women need 250 μg/day of iodine. 

What Women Must Know About Prenatal Multivitamins?

• One thing you must watch out for is the amount of vitamin A retinol supplements. Too much vitamin A during pregnancy can have adverse effects. So, your prenatal multivitamins usually have adjusted levels of vitamin A. 

• Women who are pregnant with multiples, such as twins, triplets, etc, may need more nutrients. Your doctor may recommend high-dose supplements to ensure that all your babies get the nutrients they need. 

• Those who have food allergies or can't eat certain foods are at a higher risk of being deficient in essential vitamins and minerals. In that case, you can look for hypoallergenic prenatal multivitamins. 

• Look for methylated folate, which can be better absorbed by the body. 

Prenatal vs Multivitamin: Are They the Same?

Many women who take standard multivitamins often wonder whether it's enough during pregnancy as well. But prenatal vitamins are not the same as standard multivitamins. Regular multivitamin supplements contain essential vitamins and minerals for everyday needs. 

Prenatal vitamins are specifically formulated for pregnancy to meet the growing needs of both the mom and baby. So, when you are planning to become pregnant or are pregnant, you must switch to prenatal multivitamins after consulting with your doctor. However, you should not take both regular multivitamins and prenatal vitamins together to avoid an excess dosage. 

When Should You Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins?

Often, women assume that they need to take prenatal vitamins only after getting pregnant. However, the best time to start taking a prenatal multivitamin supplement is before conception. While these don't directly help you with fertility, they provide adequate nutrition to your body to prepare well for pregnancy. 

Some experts suggest that women of childbearing age can start taking prenatal vitamins even if they are not planning to get pregnant in the next few months. It is best to take these prenatal vitamins at least 1 month before trying to get pregnant. 

What Happens if I Don’t Take Prenatal Vitamins?

Prenatal multivitamins ensure that you get adequate amounts of the necessary nutrients that are crucial for the neural development of the baby. If you don’t take prenatal vitamins, it can result in nutritional deficiencies and affect the health of both the mother and the baby. 

• Inadequate folate can lead to neural tube defects 

• Iron deficiency may lead to low birth weight. 

• Without enough calcium, vitamin D, and iodine, your baby may not get enough nutrition to grow bones, teeth, which can affect overall growth. 

Should Men Take Prenatal Vitamins?

When we talk about prenatal vitamins, our major focus is on women because their nutrient needs increase. Similar to women taking prenatal vitamins before conception, men can also take conception support supplements. However, men should not take prenatal vitamins that are designed for women. 

Rather, they should look for men's multivitamin supplements targeted to provide reproductive health support. These supplements often contain nutrients like Selenium, CoQ10, etc, that may help improve sperm quality and motility, thereby contributing to fertility and indirectly contributing to fetal health. 

How to Choose the Best Prenatal Multivitamins for Women?

For maternal and fetal development, choosing the right prenatal multivitamin is important. At Nutriessential, we have high-quality prenatal supplements from some of the leading brands. Here are some guidelines that can help you buy the best prenatal multivitamin suitable for you:

• Ensure key nutrients: Read the supplement label and ensure that the ingredients include folic acid, iron, calcium, vitamin D, iodine, DHA, choline, and vitamins A, C, E, B6, B12, and zinc. On our website, we have many comprehensive prenatal vitamins that contain more than these basic nutrients for additional support. 

• Quality Assurance: A prenatal multivitamin, which is tested for quality assurance would have all the required testing done for safety, efficacy, and strength. Ensure that the brand you choose is well-known for its quality standards.

• Dietary Considerations: In case you have dietary restrictions, consider plant-based supplements such as Nature's Way Alive! Prenatal Gummy. This has vegan sources of vitamin B12 and DHA. We provide gluten-free and allergen-free supplements for women who have sensitive guts. Some of these dietary supplements are also halal and kosher certified, so make a point to read the labels carefully.

• Bioavailability and Absorption: Nutritional absorption is influenced by the form of the nutrient. For example, methylated folate may be better absorbed than folic acid. Iron Bisglycinate is the form of iron that doesn't cause constipation or other digestive issues like some other forms of iron.

• Forms of the Supplements: We offer prenatal vitamins in many different forms:

• Tablets or capsules: They are the most common and widely available. 

• Softgels: These are easy to swallow and may be gentle on the stomach. 

• Gummies: Prenatal multivitamin gummies taste better in a fruity flavor, but may miss some nutrients, such as iron. A great option is SmartyPants Vitamins Prenatal Multi & Omegas. 

• Liquids: Preferred by people with swallowing problems when it comes to prenatal pills. We have Buried Treasure PreNatal plus DHA Complete liquid multivitamin.

• Consult Your Healthcare Provider: Speaking to a health expert before choosing a prenatal vitamin will ensure that what you decide on works with your individual health needs and situation. Nutriessential health professionals can provide you with personalized recommendations based on your health history, dietary preferences, and possible health concerns.
  

FAQs

1. What do pre-pregnancy vitamins do?

The pre-pregnancy vitamins come in handy to maintain both the mother's and the baby's health in a much better way. Like folic acid, it is extremely essential since it helps to prevent neural-tube defects in babies. The prenatal multivitamins provide essential nutrients such as vitamin D, calcium, B vitamins, iron, etc, needed to meet the nutritional needs of the growing baby. 

2. Do prenatal vitamin supplements affect fertility? 

The prenatal vitamins are not said to directly improve your chances of conceiving. Rather, they act as a complement to your diet by addressing your nutritional deficiencies in the form of vitamins and minerals. Thereby, they work to improve your general state of health. They are vital in laying down the foundation for a healthy pregnancy.

3. Are prenatal vitamins safe? What are the side effects?

Some prenatal multivitamin preparations might induce nausea in pregnant women who are already nauseous. Constipation and upset stomach have also been reported by some women. Some women find it difficult to swallow tablets and capsules. If you are one of them, look for smaller tablets that are easy to swallow. You can also choose gummy versions of prenatal multivitamins since they taste much better. Chewable and liquid forms of prenatal vitamins are also good options.

4. What happens if I am not pregnant, but I take prenatal vitamins? 

Prenatal vitamins are suitable to take even before pregnancy. Most health experts would ask you to start prenatal vitamins at least 1 month before conception. Even starting multivitamins 3 months before getting pregnant would be better. Women who are intending to conceive should begin taking prenatal vitamins. Women of reproductive age are well advised to take prenatal vitamins. 

5. What is the difference between prenatal vitamins and multivitamins? 

Regular multivitamins would contain all the necessary vitamins and minerals as required by a male or a female, based on their health goals. Prenatal vitamins are uniquely designed to provide full aid in facing the growing nutritional demands of pregnant women. These can also be taken by women planning for conception. Experts even recommend taking these for a little longer period after childbirth because women really need extra nutritional support in the postpartum phase as well.