In this article:
What Are Prenatal Vitamins?
Prenatal vitamins are multivitamins containing a range of vitamins and minerals. They contribute to the important nutrients required to fuel a pregnant woman's body and assist the growth of her developing baby. Their major objective is to supply a mom-to-be with important minerals and vitamins that she may be lacking in her diet in order to optimise pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins are created precisely to support a woman's nutritional requirements during pregnancy and restore her stockpiles after delivering a baby, especially if you follow a purely plant-based diet, suffer from chronic stress, or are on hormonal birth control before getting pregnant.So, When Should Women Begin Taking Prenatal Vitamins?
Ideally, you should begin taking prenatal vitamins one to three months before attempting to conceive. If you have any possibility of getting pregnant, your healthcare professional will usually prescribe that you take a prenatal multivitamin. This is mostly due to the fact that some of the most common birth abnormalities occur before some individuals are even aware they are pregnant. If you did not take prenatal vitamins while you were trying to conceive, you should start taking them as soon as you find out you are pregnant.Ingredients in Prenatal Vitamins
The component dosages in prenatal vitamins may fluctuate, but the main constituents will not change much. Avoid artificial ingredients, such as artificial colours, while keeping an eye out for the essential nutrients listed below. If you are unsure about which prenatal vitamins to take, see your doctor about your individual requirements.Folic Acid
Folic acid (a form of vitamin B) is the most critical vitamin to take throughout pregnancy. It may lower your chances of having a baby with a neural tube defect (NTD), a birth condition affecting the brain and spinal cord. Spina bifida is the most common NTD. Folic acid also promotes the overall growth and development of the foetus and placenta.Natural sources of folic acid include green leafy vegetables, almonds, and beans. It is also included in several fortified breakfast cereals.
You need to look for 400 to 600 microgrammes (mcg) of folic acid per day, in addition to any other meals you consume. If you have previously had a baby with NTD, your doctor may offer an extra folic acid supplement.
Iron
Iron helps red blood cells provide oxygen to the foetus. It helps your body produce the additional blood required to support a foetus. Red meat, chicken, and iron-fortified grains are excellent natural sources of iron. During pregnancy, strive for at least 27 milligrams (mg) per day. If you have anaemia, your pregnancy care provider may offer an extra iron supplement.Calcium
Taking calcium during pregnancy helps to strengthen bones and teeth. It also helps to maintain your bone density. Calcium is often found in milk, cheese, and yoghurt. If you are older than 19, you should consume at least 1,000 mg of calcium every day.Vitamin A
Vitamin A improves visual development.Vitamins B
Vitamin B is mostly utilised for metabolism and the maintenance of normal cell function.Vitamin C
Vitamin C protects against oxidative stress and strengthens your immune system, which is often strained during pregnancy.Vitamin D
Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, which is required for the formation of a foetus' bones and teeth. It also improves vision and skin health. Vitamin D is primarily obtained by sunlight, however, it may also be found in fatty fish such as salmon. You need at least 600 international units (IUs) of vitamin D each day.DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid)
DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid. Omega-3 fatty acids are a beneficial lipid that may be found in a variety of foods, including fish. It promotes healthy brain growth. You should consume at least 200 mg of DHA when pregnant. DHA is not included in all prenatal vitamins, so you may need to take a supplemental supplement to receive it.Iodine
Iodine is a necessary vitamin for brain development. Iodine-rich foods include table salt, dairy products, and some types of seafood. Sharks, swordfish, and mackerel have high amounts of mercury and should be avoided when pregnant.Omega-3s
Omega-3s (DHA and EPA) are essential for brain growth and development. They also help in reducing inflammation, and some studies indicate that supplementing during pregnancy reduces the risk of preterm delivery, foetal growth limitation, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes.Benefits of Prenatal Vitamins
The most prominent advantage of prenatal vitamins is that they promote the health and growth of your developing baby. However, the advantages of prenatal vitamins go beyond that and include extra rewards.It also reduces the chance of a wide range of ailments, from the unpleasant to the hazardous, such as:
- Anaemia
- Fatigue
- Leg and muscular cramps
- Low immunity
- Postpartum Depression
- Weakness
- Low appetite
- Skin irritation
- Brain fog
Why Is It Important To Take Prenatal Vitamins In Pregnancy?
While nothing can substitute eating healthy, well-balanced meals, a prenatal vitamin may help compensate for any nutrients you may not receive enough of via diet alone. And your body needs varying levels of certain nutrients to sustain a developing pregnancy. For example, you need extra folic acid and iron. A prenatal vitamin ensures that you obtain enough of these vital nutrients.Side Effects of Prenatal Vitamins
When you're having a child, your body goes through a lot of changes, so it might be difficult to tell the difference between prenatal vitamins and pregnancy symptoms. Some prenatal vitamin side effects may be comparable to what you might experience if your hormone levels fluctuate. In most situations, however, the effects are minor (if you notice them at all), especially when contrasted to the enormous benefits you get from taking them. The most prevalent negative effects of prenatal vitamins include nausea. To prevent this, experts suggest taking prenatal vitamins with meals (never on an empty stomach).Some common side effects are:
Constipation
You may credit the iron content for thisChanges In Urine Colour Or Odour
Vitamin B, in particular, might be a significant influence, but these are minor modifications.Nausea
To prevent this, experts suggest taking prenatal vitamins with meals (never on an empty stomach). It also helps to take them at night, so you're asleep when the nausea might kick in.If any of these adverse effects persist, visit your doctor. They could suggest solutions and prenatal vitamins to keep your unborn child safe and healthy and to make you feel more comfortable.
Do Prenatal Vitamins Cause Weight Gain If You Aren't Pregnant?
No. There is no evidence to support the claim that taking a prenatal vitamin would cause weight gain.Can You Take More Prenatal Vitamins To Compensate For Nutritional Deficiencies?
No, don't take any more prenatal vitamins. You should take the vitamin precisely as directed on the label. If your healthcare professional believes you need more supplements, they will suggest or prescribe them.What Happens If You Don't Take Your Prenatal Vitamins?
Just because you don't take a prenatal vitamin (or forget to take one a few times) does not guarantee that your baby may be born unhealthy. However, most major healthcare experts suggest that all pregnant women take prenatal vitamins since it reduces the chance of pregnancy issues. Remember that your body's demands vary throughout pregnancy, and it needs extra nutrition to support foetal development. The best method to get the additional nutrients is by taking a vitamin.Is It Okay To Take Prenatal Vitamins If You Aren't Pregnant?
It is safe to take a prenatal vitamin while you are not pregnant. Nothing in a prenatal vitamin is harmful to non-pregnant persons. In fact, many healthcare practitioners advise anybody of reproductive age to take a prenatal vitamin as a precaution. However, if you are beyond your reproductive years or know you will not get pregnant, you should only take a daily multivitamin.Prenatal vitamins help ensure that you obtain all of the nutrients you need for a healthy pregnancy while also lowering your chance of certain issues. They are designed particularly for those who are pregnant or attempting to conceive. Certain vitamins, such as folic acid, iron, and calcium, become especially important during pregnancy because they help in foetal growth and development. Prenatal vitamins may help cover nutritional deficiencies that may be difficult to get via diet alone. There are various brands of prenatal vitamins available nowadays. You might ask your doctor whether they prefer one over the others. If feasible, start taking one at least a month before you attempt to conceive.
FAQs on Prenatal Vitamins: Benefits and Side Effects
- What is a prenatal medication meant for?
Prenatal supplements provide additional vitamins and minerals before and throughout pregnancy. These supplements include various quantities and kinds of vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients, such as omega 3 fatty acids. - Do prenatal vitamins trigger nausea?
Unfortunately, several prenatal vitamins have been shown to exacerbate morning sickness or cause nausea. Many prenatal supplements include iron (essential for the baby's health), which might induce stomach upset and make you feel ill.
