The demand for specific nutrients increases during pregnancy so additional nutritional support is required. Prenatal multivitamins prevent nutritional deficiency and provide all the necessary nutrients required to maintain the mother’s health, support healthy fetal development, and reduce the risk of birth defects and complications. These multivitamins contain key nutrients like folic acid, vitamin D, choline, iron, calcium, and omega.
Benefits of Prenatal Vitamins
Women start taking prenatal supplements before conception. The development of the brain and spinal cord begins around week 5. At this stage, the mother may not know about her pregnancy, and folic acid and other nutrients play an important role in supporting fetal development so it is important to start taking prenatal multivitamins while planning pregnancy.
Prenatal multivitamins contain Folic acid, vitamin D, choline, iron, calcium, iodine, etc. Iodine needs are increased during pregnancy and it is very important for fetal thyroid development. A prenatal multivitamin with 150 mcg of iodine will help meet increased iodine requirements. 27 mg of iron is required daily by pregnant women to support the growth of the fetus and placenta.
Prenatal supplements improve maternal health because they prevent anemia, improve immunity, and maintain blood sugar levels. These also prevent preeclampsia and gestational hypertension (high blood pressure) which are serious complications and negatively impact the health of the mother and the fetus.
Prenatal multivitamins contain calcium and vitamin D which are very important for bone development. Omega-3 is important for brain and eye development. In this way, these play an important role in improving birth outcomes.
Some of the vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C and zinc help for immune system function
Women of childbearing age are often recommended to take folic acid (400 mcg) daily because it prevents neural tube defects or birth defects, that develop in the first 28 days. The RDA of folic is 600 mcg daily in pregnancy and food alone is insufficient to provide adequate folic acid.
DHA helps in the formation of the brain and eyes, ensuring healthy cognitive and visual function in the child
Frequently asked questions
1) How are prenatal vitamins different from multivitamins?
Prenatal vitamins are different from other multivitamins because they contain folic acid and iron in high doses. These also contain unique nutrients like choline which are not present normally in a multivitamin. It is important to note that a multivitamin can be taken by people of all ages to support general health while prenatal multivitamins are taken by pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant.
2) Could prenatal vitamins be making me sick?
Here are some of the tips that may be helpful if a woman feels sick after taking multivitamins:
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Many pregnant women feel sick due to morning sickness, nausea, and vomiting sensations. So it is advisable to take prenatal multivitamins at the time of the day when you feel good. Like late in the evening many pregnant women feel better so taking prenatal multivitamins during this time may not make you feel sick.
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You can split the vitamin into two parts and take them in two different times.
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If you are not comfortable taking tablet form, ask your doctor for chewable options. Prenatal gummies are also available. Many people prefer gummies due to palatability.
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You can take gummies until you feel better.
3) Is prenatal vitamin making me constipated?
You should discuss this issue with your healthcare provider. However, certain routine habits can be useful to manage constipation like increasing intake of fiber-rich foods, taking fluids/drinking water many times a day, exercising daily, and being physically active. etc.
4) What vitamins do you need prenatal? What prenatal vitamins are recommended?
Folic acid, iron, iodine, vitamins A, B, C, D, E, DHA, copper, zinc, and calcium are the important prenatal vitamins you need to support healthy pregnancy. Doctors recommend a high-quality prenatal multivitamin that has all the essential nutrients pregnant women need.
5) Can I take a prenatal vitamin and a multivitamin?
A prenatal multivitamin is enough to fulfill nutritional demands in pregnancy. Avoid taking extra multivitamins because they increase the recommended dosage and higher doses are harmful to the baby.
6) What trimester are prenatal vitamins most important?
Prenatal vitamins are important before and during the entire pregnancy to support the good health of both the mother and the baby.
7) Are prenatal vitamins enough during pregnancy?
Yes, usually a high-quality multivitamin has all important vitamins and nutrients present in recommended doses. Sometimes, doctors recommend folic acid supplements separately in a dosage of 4 milligrams depending on the previous medical history of the mother(given birth to a baby with a neural tube defect). According to studies, micronutrient-specific supplementation is required for specific groups like calcium for pre-eclampsia or eclampsia, iron for maternal anemia, etc.
8) How are prenatal vitamins good for you? How important are prenatal vitamins?
The benefits of taking prenatal multivitamins are:
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Improve maternal health.
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Support fetal and placenta development
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Reduce the risk of birth defects like cleft lip and palate, spina bifida, etc.
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Maintain blood sugar levels
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Provide nutritional support
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