Prenatal vitamins are a type of vitamin taken by pregnant women to help support their health and the health of their developing babies. Though getting proper nutrition from fresh foods is always best, many pregnant women take prenatal vitamins to ensure they get the calcium, folic acid and iron they might be missing due to morning sickness, nausea or loss of appetite. Taking prenatal vitamins is especially important during the first trimester, when many neural tube defects can develop.
Folic Acid
Folic acid occurs naturally in leafy green vegetables, beans, nuts and citrus fruits and is added my the manufacturers of many fortified breakfast cereals and flour products. According to an article on the University of Maryland Medical Center website, "Lower levels of folic acid during pregnancy are associated with low birth weight and increased risk of neural tube defects, including cleft palate, spina bifida, and brain damage." The recommended dose of folic acid for pregnant women is 600 mcg per day, but all women of childbearing age should get at least 400 mcg daily to help protect the fetus in the case of an unplanned pregnancy.
Calcium
Calcium is necessary to form strong bones and teeth. If a pregnant woman is not getting enough calcium, her body will take calcium from her own bones to ensure that the baby is getting enough. According to the researchers at the Linus Pauling Institute, there is some evidence that women at risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension may benefit from calcium supplements, but more studies are needed to verify this. Calcium is found in dairy products, as well as spinach and broccoli. The suggested dose of calcium for pregnant women under the age of 18 is 1,300 mg per day, and for pregnant women over the age of 18 it is 1,000 mg per day.
Iron
Iron is necessary to create and support blood cells and muscle cells, as well as to carry oxygen throughout the body. According to the nutrition experts at Ohio State University, the best sources of iron are seafood, meat, poultry, beans, eggs, nuts, fortified breads, cereals and spinach. The recommended daily dose of iron for an expectant mother is 30 mg.
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