Prenatal Vitamins
What are prenatal vitamins?
Prenatal vitamins are multivitamin supplements containing essential vitamins and minerals made for pregnant women or women who are planning to get pregnant. Prenatal vitamins have more of some nutrients that women need during healthy pregnancy compared to regular multivitamin supplements.
Why are prenatal vitamins so important?
Human body uses vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in food to make it strong and healthy. Women who are vegetarian or have any kind of food allergies or can’t eat certain foods or can’t get certain nutrients from foods, they may need to take a prenatal vitamins supplement to get more of certain nutrients before or during or after pregnancy. During pregnancy, the growing baby gets all necessary vitamins, minerals and other nutrients from the mother. So a mother needs more vitamins and minerals during pregnancy than she did before. In reality, vitamins and minerals in prenatal vitamins help to reduce the chance of birth defects.
When should prenatal vitamins be taken?
A family doctor or gynecologist can suggest prenatal vitamins to take when women plan to get pregnant as well as while women are pregnant. These prenatal vitamins supplements can be bought over the counter without a prescription too. Prenatal vitamins should be taken every day before or during pregnancy. It is also advisable to take prenatal vitamins during breastfeeding too to provide the baby all necessary vitamins, minerals and other nutrients for healthy baby growth. Prenatal vitamins help to cover any nutritional gaps in diet. Always take the right amount of prenatal vitamins or multivitamins before or during pregnancy. Overdose or taking several prenatal vitamins or multivitamins together will result in too much of other nutrients and they may be harmful to mother as well as baby’s health. Only a family doctor or gynecologist can figure out and prescribe the right amount of prenatal vitamins as per individual’s need.
The most essential prenatal vitamins
All nutrients are important for a woman as well as her coming baby. But these vitamins, minerals and nutrients play a key role in a baby's growth and development during pregnancy.
Folic acid (Vitamin B-9)
Iron
Calcium
Vitamin D
DHA
Iodine
Vitamin C
Folic Acid:
Folic Acid is converted into Folate by the body. Folate is also known as vitamin B-9 and is one of the B vitamins. Folate is important in red blood cell formation and for healthy cell growth and function. Taking folic acid before and during early pregnancy can help prevent birth defects of the brain and spine called Neural Tube Defects (NTDs). Neural tube defects develop very early in pregnancy. So doctors highly recommend that any woman who wants to get pregnant should take approx. 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid daily at least 12 weeks before pregnancy to the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. As per studies, folic acid may also reduce the risk of other defects such as cleft lip, cleft palate, preeclampsia and certain heart defects. Human body absorbs the synthetic version of folic acid better than the natural one found in food. So supplements are strongly recommended even if any woman is taking a balanced diet.
Daily recommended amount:
Daily requirements before and after pregnancy: Approx. 400 micrograms (mcg)
Daily requirements during pregnancy: Approx. 600 micrograms (mcg)
Time period to take: It can be taken daily as per the daily recommended amount but it is the most required before 12 weeks of pregnancy to the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Food Sources:
Nuts
Beans
Whole grains
Citrus fruits
Dark green leafy vegetables
Fortified cereals
Folic acid enriched bread and pasta
Supplements:
Side effects: Before taking supplements, please consult a family doctor or gynecologist if a person ever had an allergic reaction to folic acid or has kidney disease or on dialysis or being an alcoholic. Folic acid usually has very few side effects. Many people do not have serious side effects or no side effects at all. Common side effects may include:
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Bloating or gas
Sleeping problems
Bitter or unpleasant taste in mouth
Confusion or depression
Iron:
Iron is a mineral and the human body uses iron to make hemoglobin. Hemoglobin helps carry oxygen from lungs to the rest of the body. Any pregnant woman needs nearly double the iron amount than before pregnancy. Woman needs iron to make more blood so it can carry oxygen to her baby and to make blood for the baby itself. Doctors recommend that any woman who wants to get pregnant should take approx. 18 milligrams (mcg) of iron daily before pregnancy and approx. 27 milligrams (mcg) of iron daily during pregnancy. Taking this amount of iron before and during pregnancy will be enough for both the mother and the baby to have an iron-rich blood supply. Inadequate iron can lead pregnant women to have infections, iron deficiency anemia (lack of blood), fatigueness (high tiredness), premature baby birth (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) and low birth weight (baby having weight less than 5 pounds and 8 ounces). Most pregnant women don't get enough of this mineral from their diet to meet their body's increased need during pregnancy. So supplements are recommended even if any woman is taking a balanced diet.
Daily recommended amount:
Daily requirements before and after pregnancy: Approx. 18 milligrams (mg)
Daily requirements during pregnancy: Approx. 27 milligrams
Time period to take: It can be taken daily as per the daily recommended amount but it is the most required during the last 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Food Sources:
Nuts
Dried fruit and raisins
Beans
Dark green leafy vegetables
Fortified cereals
Iron enriched bread and pasta
Lean meat, poultry and seafoods
Citrus fruits: Vitamin C enriched foods can increase the amount of iron the human body absorbs.
Avoid coffee, tea, egg yolks, fiber and soybeans when eating iron-rich foods because they can block the human body from absorbing iron.
Supplements:
Side effects: Before taking supplements, please consult a family doctor or gynecologist to confirm the required daily dose. Iron is likely safe for most people and usually has very few side effects when taken as per prescribed and required dose. Common side effects may include:
Stomach upset
Nausea
Vomiting
Metallic taste in the mouth
Heartburn
Dark stools
Calcium:
Calcium is a bulky mineral and it helps to develop a baby's bones, teeth, heart, muscles and nerves during pregnancy. Doctors recommend that any woman who wants to get pregnant should take approx. 1,000 milligrams of calcium daily before pregnancy and approx. 1,300 milligrams of calcium daily during pregnancy. Calcium is very important for a pregnant woman. If a pregnant woman is not getting enough calcium during pregnancy, the body takes calcium from the mother's bones and gives it to her baby. This can lead to health conditions such as osteoporosis later in life where mother’s bones become thin and break easily. Most pregnant women don't get enough of this mineral from their diet to meet their body's increased need during pregnancy. So supplements are recommended even if any woman is taking a balanced diet.
Daily recommended amount:
Daily requirements before and after pregnancy: Approx. 1,000 milligrams (mg)
Daily requirements during pregnancy: Approx. 1,300 milligrams (mg)
Time period to take:It can be taken daily as per the daily recommended amount but it is the most required after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Food Sources:
Milk, cheese, yogurt
Dark green leafy vegetables such as kale, broccoli
Almonds, figs, apricots, dates
Dark green leafy vegetables
Calcium-Fortified cereals and drinks such soya milk
Oranges, blackberries
Eggs
Sardines and canned salmon
Supplements:
Calcium Carbonate(contains higher calcium elements and inexpensive)
Calcium Citrate(contains lesser calcium elements but easily absorbable)
Side effects: Before taking supplements, please consult a family doctor or gynecologist to confirm the required daily dose. Calcium is likely safe for most people and usually has very few side effects when taken as per prescribed and required dose. Common side effects may include:
Gas or bloating
Constipation
Kidney stone if taken higher dose for longer time
Vitamin D:
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps the human body to absorb calcium as well as maintain levels of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D3 is the natural form of vitamin D produced by the human body from sunlight. It also helps the human body’s nerves, muscles and immune system work. The immune system protects the human body from infection. Vitamin D helps the baby's bones and teeth grow during pregnancy. Doctors recommend that any woman who wants to get pregnant should take approx. 600 IU (international units) of vitamin D daily before pregnancy and approx. 600 to 2,000 IU (international units) of vitamin D daily during pregnancy. If a pregnant woman is not getting enough vitamin D during pregnancy, the baby may have vitamin deficiency at birth and that can lead the baby at risk for fractures and deformity and abnormal bone growth and delayed physical development. Most pregnant women don't get enough of this mineral from their diet to meet their body's increased need during pregnancy. So supplements are recommended even if any woman is taking a balanced diet.
Daily recommended amount:
Daily requirements before and after pregnancy: Approx. 600 international units
Daily requirements during pregnancy: Approx. 600 to 2,000 international units
Time period to take: It can be taken daily as per the daily recommended amount but it is the most required after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Food Sources:
Sunlight
Fortified milk with vitamin D
Salmon fish
Cod liver oil
Supplements:
Side effects: Before taking supplements, please consult a family doctor or gynecologist to confirm the required daily dose. Taking overdose of Vitamin D for a longer time can cause too much calcium build up in the body. This can lead to side effects such as:
Nausea and vomiting
Bones weakness
Frequent urination
Kidney stone if taken higher dose for longer time
Omega-3 Fatty Acids:
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) are omega-3 fatty acids. They help with baby’s brain, nerve and eye development. Doctors recommend that any woman who wants to get pregnant should take approx. 250-300 mg of combined DHA and EPA daily before pregnancy and approx. 600-650 mg of combined DHA and EPA during pregnancy. Most vegetarian pregnant women don't get enough of these fats from their diet to meet their body's increased need during pregnancy. So supplements are recommended even if any woman is taking a balanced diet.
Daily recommended amount:
Daily requirements before and after pregnancy: Approx. 250-300 milligrams (mg) combined DHA and EPA
Daily requirements during pregnancy: Approx. 600-650 milligrams (mg) combined DHA and EPA.
Time period to take: It can be taken daily as per the daily recommended amount but it is the most required at least before 12 weeks of pregnancy and then after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Food Sources:
DHA-rich Milk
Nuts
Seafoods such as salmon, herring, trout, anchovies, halibut, catfish, tilapia
Supplements:
Side effects: Before taking iron supplements, please consult a family doctor or gynecologist to confirm the required daily dose. Calcium is likely safe for most people and usually has very few side effects when taken as per prescribed and required dose. Common side effects may include:
Upset stomach
Fishy taste in mouth
Fishy breath
Loose stools
Iodine:
Iodine is a mineral that helps the human body to make thyroid hormones. Iodine helps the baby's brain, spinal cord and nerves develop that helps the baby to move, think and feel during pregnancy. Iodine is critical for a pregnant woman’s healthy thyroid function. Doctors recommend that any woman who wants to get pregnant should take approx. 140 micrograms of iodine daily before pregnancy and approx. 220-270 micrograms of iodine daily during pregnancy. If a pregnant woman is not getting enough iodine during pregnancy, it can cause miscarriage, severe mental disability or deafness to the baby. Most pregnant women get enough of this mineral from seafood and a variety of balanced diets to meet their body's increased need during pregnancy. Iodine supplements are required for pregnant women who are following a strict vegan diet.
Daily recommended amount:
Daily requirements before and after pregnancy: Approx. 140 micrograms (mcg)
Daily requirements during pregnancy: Approx. 220-270 micrograms (mcg)
Time period to take: It can be taken daily as per the daily recommended amount.
Food Sources:
Fish
Eggs
Milk, cheese and yogurt
Enriched or fortified cereal and bread
Iodized salt
Supplements:
Side effects: Before taking supplements, please consult a family doctor or gynecologist to confirm the required daily dose. Taking overdose of iodine for a longer time can lead to side effects such as:
Goiter (an enlarged thyroid gland)
Thyroid gland inflammation
Thyroid cancer
Vitamin C:
Vitamin C is an antioxidant vitamin that helps to boost the immune system. Vitamin C helps maximize the amount of iron the body gets from foods. Vitamin C helps reduce the risk of pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction and maternal anemia. Vitamin C is crucial for a baby's physical development too. Doctors recommend that any woman who wants to get pregnant should take approx. 75 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C daily before pregnancy and approx. 120 milligrams of vitamin C daily during pregnancy. Most pregnant women don't get enough of this mineral from their diet to meet their body's increased need during pregnancy. So supplements are recommended even if any woman is taking a balanced diet.
Daily recommended amount:
Daily requirements before and after pregnancy: Approx. 75 milligrams (mg)
Daily requirements during pregnancy: Approx. 120 milligrams (mg)
Time period to take: It can be taken daily as per the daily recommended amount during pregnancy.
Food Sources:
Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemon, citron, grapefruit
Strawberries
Guavas
Kiwis
Papaya
Peppers
Blackcurrants
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Kale
Supplements:
Side effects: Before taking supplements, please consult a family doctor or gynecologist to confirm the required daily dose. Vitamin C is likely safe for most people and usually has very few side effects when taken as per prescribed and required dose. Common side effects may include:
Headache
Skin flushing
Bloating, stomach cramps
Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
Heartburn
Fatigue
Apart from individual prenatal vitamins, there are a variety of combined multivitamins-minerals supplements available in the market. They contain all required prenatal vitamins and minerals in a variety of doses. Before taking any of these supplements, please consult a family doctor or gynecologist to confirm the required daily dose for a particular vitamin and mineral.
Prenatal Vitamin Plus Low Iron
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