Prenatal vitamins are multivitamin and mineral supplements used by women to ensure proper nutrition during pregnancy. Some women even begin taking them when they are trying to conceive. During pregnancy, women want to provide a healthy and nutritious environment for their baby to grow. A woman's daily requirement for folic acid, calcium and iron increases significantly while carrying a baby. Prenatal vitamins are an insurance policy and not a replacement for a well-balanced diet.
Vitamins
Vitamins are one of the crucial ingredients in prenatal supplements. Popular products include New Chapter's Perfect Prenatal, Twinlab's Pre-Natal Care Multi Vitamin, Rainbow Light's Prenatal One Multi Tablet and Garden of Life's Raw Prenatal. Look for 800 mcg folic acid, as recommended by the American Pregnancy Association. For all other vitamins, adhere to a broad spectrum 100 percent RDA product. Especially be vigilant in regard to Vitamin A because large amounts can harm your developing baby. Stick to products that contain beta carotene, the natural form of Vitamin A, which is non-toxic in higher doses.
Minerals
Prenatal vitamins also include minerals to support the health of mother and baby. Pregnant women require nearly double the iron to produce more blood. If adequate iron is not consumed, the amount of iron in the blood may drop, causing anemia. Take 27 mg a day to avoid this side effect. A blood test may reveal that you need even more supplemental iron to support your needs. Only take extra iron under a doctor's supervision.
Calcium is another important mineral for fetal development. Most prenatals only contain 100 to 200 mg. Calcium is a bulky ingredient and is difficult to supply in optimal amounts without taking a large volume of pills. Pregnant women need 1,000 mg a day from dietary and supplemental sources. Calcium is leached from a woman's bones to provide for the baby when there is not enough in the diet. This can lead to increased risk of osteoporosis later in life.
Other Ingredients
Other common ingredients in prenatal vitamins include digestive enzymes, probiotics, DHA, fruit and vegetable extracts. Digestive enzymes and probiotics support overall health, and they may help to ease some indigestion associated with pregnancy. Fruit and vegetable extracts provide phyto-nutrients that support the health of both mother and baby. They are not a replacement for eating fruits and vegetables but boost the antioxidant power of a prenatal vitamin. DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid that is important for proper nerve, eye and brain development in growing babies. DHA can be difficult to get from our diets and is not included in many prenatal vitamins. Supplemental DHA is available at vitamin and health stores. Take 300 mg daily.
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