Because a baby's brain and spinal cord begin to develop during the first month of pregnancy, doctors at the Mayo Clinic recommend that women begin taking prenatal vitamins before they conceive. Taking prenatal vitamins when you are trying to get pregnant can help assure that the fetus is getting the key nutrients it needs for healthy development, even before you know for certain that you are pregnant. Do not take any vitamins other than those prescribed or suggested by your obstetrician. Discuss with your doctor the safety of any supplements, in addition to the recommended dosage.
Folic Acid
Folic acid is essential when a woman is pregnant, and therefore, should be contained in any prenatal vitamins a doctor prescribes. Since this is such an important nutrient, ask your obstetrician whether you need to take an additional supplement. If you use over-the-counter prenatal vitamins rather than those prescribed by a physician, keep in mind that these usually contain lower amounts of certain vitamins, particularly folic acid. While over-the-counter prenatal vitamins can be cheaper, taking a vitamin that contains adequate folate, or folic acid, is critical to reducing the risks of your baby having defects of the brain and spinal cord. The American Academy of Family Physicians stresses the importance of folic acid even before pregnancy, as problems can develop as early as three weeks into the pregnancy. According to Joanne Larsen, a registered and licensed dietitian, taking a daily multivitamin that offers the adult recommended dietary allowance (RDA) is another acceptable alternative.
Iron
A developing fetus requires a lot of iron, but not all women consume enough iron in their diets. Iron is needed for the development of blood and muscle cells, so if you aren't getting enough iron, it could hurt both you and your baby. To make matters worse, pregnancy often leads to anemia, a condition in which the mother does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Your doctor may prescribe an additional iron supplement or advise you to take an over-the-counter supplement.
Vitamin D/Calcium
Vitamin D is a nutrient that becomes increasingly important when the bones of the fetus begin to develop. The vitamin is even more essential during the third trimester of pregnancy when fetal development requires more calcium. Although prenatal vitamins contain some vitamin D, the level of vitamin D might not be adequate. If you feel that you do not drink enough milk or eat enough foods fortified with vitamin D, ask your doctor about a vitamin D supplement. In some cases, a woman may also need a prenatal vitamin that is higher in calcium. If you don't get enough calcium in your diet, you may need to take a calcium supplement, at least for a while during your pregnancy.
Omega-3
Omega-3 is an important nutrient for anyone; however, it is particularly essential for healthy brain development of a fetus. The nutrient is also necessary for the baby's eye and heart health. Since not all prenatal vitamins contain omega-3, if you do not eat fish or other foods that are rich sources of omega-3, your doctor may recommend that you take an omega-3 fatty acid supplement along with your other prenatal vitamins. You may need a supplement if your physician instructs you to limit how much fish you eat during pregnancy to reduce the risk of mercury toxicity.
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