Taking prenatal vitamins is an essential step in prenatal care. The March of Dimes recommends that you begin taking prenatal vitamins before you become pregnant. The vitamins and minerals in prenatal vitamins are critical to the health of the baby and the mother. During pregnancy, your body needs more vitamins including folic acid, calcium and iron. There are many prenatal vitamins that can be purchased over-the-counter or by prescription. According to the American Pregnancy Association, it is better to take a multivitamin, which includes many needed nutrients in one dose, rather than taking several supplements.
Step 1
Pick up the prenatal vitamin package and read the expiration date. When looking at prenatal vitamins, it is important to check the expiration date on the package before purchasing the prenatal vitamins. According to the March of Dimes, prenatal vitamins can loose effectiveness if they are consumed past the expiration date. Make sure that you will be able to consume the entire product before the expiration date occurs.
Step 2
Read the nutritional label to make sure that the brand contains all the essential vitamins a pregnant woman should be receiving. According to the March of Dimes, prenatal vitamins should include about 20 vitamins and minerals. Make sure that the vitamin contains 400 micrograms of folic acid and that most of the vitamins contain 100 percent of the daily value. The amount of calcium in the vitamin will not be 100 percent because it would make the vitamin too large, so make sure you get calcium from dairy products or dark green vegetables.
Step 3
Pick up the prenatal vitamin package and look for the USP label. The USP label stands for the United States Pharmacopeia. The USP is an organization that sets the standards for over the counter medications and healthcare products. They also set standards for food ingredients and supplements. According to the United States Pharmacopeia, the standards ensure that the product has met the quality, strength and consistency that is essential to the health of its consumers. The USP label should be on the package of the prenatal vitamins you are going to purchase.
Step 4
Research fat-soluble vitamins versus water-soluble vitamins. According to the American Pregnancy Association, when taken in the excess, fat-soluble vitamins are stored in your liver and body fat, causing side effects for you and your baby. Water-soluble vitamins are dissolved by water and any excess amount will be excreted through your urine. However, taking an excess of water-soluble vitamins can also cause side effects.
Tips and Warnings
- Talk with your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have about your health and about prenatal vitamins. Women who are breastfeeding should continue to take prenatal vitamins.
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