Why are prenatals important

Motherhood Getting Pregnant. Taking a prenatal vitamin as soon as you decide to get pregnant is an important—and easy! In fact, some of the vitamins and minerals found in a prenatal vitamin can even help lessen the chance of birth defects. For some women, taking a prenatal vitamin before getting pregnant can even help reduce the dreaded nausea and vomiting associated with morning sickness…a great reason to take a prenatal vitamin in and of itself!

Prenatal vitamins are made specifically for pregnant ladies, and specifically contain the recommended levels of folic acid and iron to support you and your pregnancy.

Supplements that contain 30 mg or less probably won't cause you any problems. To avoid queasiness, try taking your supplement at bedtime or with a meal to make it easier to tolerate.

Also, talk to your healthcare practitioner. She may be able to recommend a different prenatal supplement. Taking a lot of iron can lead to constipation , which is already a problem for many pregnant women.

If you're not anemic, it may make sense for you to switch to a prenatal vitamin with less iron. Otherwise, try to ease constipation by:. Learn about the basics of a healthy pregnancy diet. BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world.

When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals.

We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. Practice bulletin Neural tube defects. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Office of Dietary Supplements. Nutrition in Pregnancy. Join now to personalize. Photo credit: iStock. What are prenatal vitamins?

Benefits of prenatal vitamins Prenatal vitamin ingredients - what to look for? What other nutrients should I look for in a prenatal supplement? When should I start taking prenatal vitamins? Choosing a prenatal vitamin - what's right for me? What if I mistakenly take two prenatal vitamins on the same day? What if I have trouble swallowing the pills? Do prenatal vitamins have side effects?

Benefits of prenatal vitamins Most women can benefit from taking a prenatal vitamin and mineral supplement preferably before trying to conceive. This includes women who: Are vegetarians or vegans Are lactose intolerant or have other food intolerances Smoke or abuse other substances Have certain blood disorders Have an eating disorder Have certain chronic diseases Have had gastric bypass surgery Are having twins or higher multiples.

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Darienne Hosley Stewart. Featured video. Choline during pregnancy. Best prenatal vitamins. Folic acid for pregnancy. As general rule, look for a prenatal vitamin that contains folic acid, iron, calcium, and Omega-3 fatty acids specifically DHA.

Other key nutrients to look out for are vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and zinc. However, be aware that it is possible to have too much of some vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin A, so make sure you know the appropriate dosages for you.

Many diet and vitamin supplements that are sold at grocery and health food stores are not subject to the same kind of regulation and scrutiny as prescription prenatal vitamins. If you opt to buy yours over-the-counter, make sure you know what you are taking. It is always best to buy well known brands from reputable stores. Some organizations also independently rate supplements, so if you want extra assurance that your prenatal vitamins meet a high quality standard, look for labels marked with seals of approval from organizations such as NSF International or the U.

Pharmacopeial Convention and always discuss your choice with your doctor. Sometimes people experience discomfort when taking prenatal vitamins. Queasiness and constipation are common complaints, and some people struggle with swallowing large pills. It might be tempting to quit but it is very important that you keep taking a daily prenatal vitamin as advised through your pregnancy. Tell your doctor about any difficulties you are experiencing and they will help devise solutions for taking your prenatal vitamins without the unpleasant side effects.

Prenatal vitamins are not exclusive to the nine months of pregnancy. It is prudent to begin taking prenatal vitamins before you get pregnant so that you and your baby receive maximum nutrition during the first few weeks of pregnancy when fetal development is at its most active, which is often before many women are even aware that they are pregnant.