Effects Of Prenatal Vitamins

Prenatal vitamins are an insurance policy on mother's and baby's health. During the course of a pregnancy, a woman's hormones will surge; her body will soften and expand; she will put on a considerable amount of weight; she will bear another human being. Even the healthiest of eaters could use some support in these endeavors. Morning sickness affects nearly three out of four pregnant women and makes getting adequate nutrients from food alone difficult.

Warning

It is extremely important to take prenatal vitamins not only throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding, but also in the months prior to conception. Prenatal vitamins contain folic acid, which prevents neural tube defects such as spina bifida. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, recommends 400 micrograms of folic acid daily. This amount may be difficult to get from green leafy vegetables, citrus and whole grains alone.

Considerations

There are hundreds of brands of prenatal vitamins available, both prescription and over the counter. The main difference is that prescription brands typically contain at least 1,000 micrograms of folic acid, far more than the recommended 400 micrograms. But, as "Mothering" magazine points out, high levels of folic acid may mask pernicious anemia, a rare but serious disease. Prescription may not always mean better in the case of prenatal vitamins.

Some over-the-counter brands contain herbs such as red raspberry leaf, which strengthens and tones the uterus. Many brands, both prescription and over-the-counter, contain stool softeners, which may be important for some women. Other women may need a brand that is odorless and does not aggravate their morning sickness. The bottom line is that women may need to try many brands before they find one that suits them, and one brand is not necessarily better than another.

Misconceptions

Some women think that because they take a prenatal vitamin, they can eat whatever they want. That is not the case, says the ACOG. Pregnant women need to eat a balanced diet high in protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Whole foods are preferable to processed foods. Women should aim for a weight gain of between 25 and 40 lbs.

Constipation

While constipation is a common complaint of pregnancy, the high iron content of prenatal vitamins may exacerbate the symptoms for some women. During pregnancy, a woman's blood volume increases by nearly 50 percent, according to midwife Ina May Gaskin, author of "Spiritual Midwifery." Extra iron is necessary to support this growth; deficiency can lead to anemia, which can have disastrous effects for both mother and baby. Women should consider switching brands of prenatal vitamins until they find one that is not so constipating.

Nausea

Nausea is another common complaint of pregnancy that can sometimes be made worse by prenatal vitamins. Certain brands have stronger odors than others, and some brands have a coating that may be particularly bothersome. Changing the time of day a woman takes her prenatal vitamin may help relieve nausea, and so can taking the vitamin with food.