Obstetricians and gynecologists prescribe prenatal vitamins to women during pregnancy to ensure a sufficient amount of necessary vitamins and minerals for the mother and growing baby. Prenatal vitamins contain higher amounts of calcium, iron and folic acid than regular multivitamins, providing women with increased protection against possible health problems, especially in the event of an unintended pregnancy.
Function
Prenatal vitamins contain nutrients needed to sustain health in both a pregnant woman and her growing unborn baby. According to the Women's Health website, women are encouraged to take prenatal vitamins before becoming pregnant because they can help prepare a woman's body for pregnancy by providing nutrients necessary for fetal growth and development. Prenatal vitamins can also help prevent depletion of minerals such as iron that can affect a woman's physical endurance and mental energy.
Significance
Women with dietary restrictions such as lactose intolerance or those who are vegans or vegetarians might not consume enough nutrients such as iron, which is depleted during the menstrual cycle and is needed in higher amounts during pregnancy. In addition, according to the Baby Center website, women who smoke, drink or abuse drugs might not eat a sufficient diet to take in all the nutrients necessary for optimal functioning of their bodies; prenatal vitamins can ensure sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals for a woman regardless of whether she is pregnant.
Features
Prenatal vitamins contain nutrients that most women do not get in sufficient amounts from diet alone. According to the March of Dimes website, all women of childbearing age are encouraged to take a prenatal vitamin containing 400 milligrams of folic acid starting at least one month before pregnancy, to help ensure against birth defects. The iron contained in prenatal vitamins can help prevent fatigue during menstruation and reduce fatigue and the risk of anemia if the woman becomes pregnant. The calcium in prenatal vitamins might help prevent conditions such as osteoporosis in women who do not consume dairy products.
Considerations
Taking a prenatal vitamin is not an excuse to eat an unhealthy diet. Taking extra prenatal vitamins does not confer additional health benefits. According to the March of Dimes website, iron, chromium, selenium and vitamin A are toxic to women when taken in high doses.
Potential
Even women who are using birth control while sexually active have a chance of becoming pregnant. According to the Baby Center website, most women do not get enough folic acid in their diets, and folic acid deficiencies might lead to neural tube defects in a baby, before the woman even realizes she is pregnant. Taking prenatal vitamins can help protect against this type of birth defect if a woman has an unplanned pregnancy.
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