Prenatal vitamins are different from the multivitamins you might buy over the counter, even if you purchase one designed for a woman's needs. They contain higher doses of necessary vitamins formulated specifically for your baby's needs. They can be as important to your baby's health just before and at the time of conception as they are during gestation.
Importance
The American Pregnancy Association says you should take 300 to 400 mcg of folic acid a day before conception because it prevents serious birth defects of the neural tube, including spina bifida. Your baby's neural tube begins developing almost immediately, during the first few weeks of your pregnancy. You might not even realize you are pregnant when the process begins, so it is important that you have sufficient levels of folic acid when you conceive.
Other Considerations
Pregnancy.org notes that if you are anemic, you won't have sufficient levels of iron in your blood for your baby's red blood cell production. Prenatal vitamins always contain iron so if you're taking them at conception, you give your baby a good start. Vitamin C is important at conception because it can bolster your immune system and protect you from getting sick during the delicate first weeks of your pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins also contain a full complement of B complex vitamins that will keep your energy level up as your body begins undergoing the changes of pregnancy.
Timing
Your goal should be to achieve the best health you can before you conceive so your baby has the optimal environment in which to grow. The website Babyzone recommends that you start taking prenatal vitamins two months before you try to conceive. The National Women's Health Information Center recommends taking prenatal vitamins three months before conception.
Dosages
The American Pregnancy Association indicates that you will need the same amounts of vitamins at conception as you will during your pregnancy, with the exception of folic acid. Your doctor will probably increase your dosage of folic acid to between 600 and 800 mcg once you know you are pregnant. A good prenatal vitamin should also contain 700 mcg of vitamin A and beta carotene, 5 mcg of vitamin D, 15 mg of vitamin E and 80 to 85 mg of vitamin C. Prenatal vitamins are normally taken once a day.
Warning
Don't gauge which vitamins you might need at conception, then try to meet your own and your baby's needs by purchasing multivitamins that approximate the vitamin values. You probably won't be able to achieve the right balance that your baby will need for healthy growth, and worse, you could hurt her. The New England Journal of Medicine reports that women who consume high doses of vitamin A during the first seven weeks of pregnancy risk birth defects in their babies. Prenatal vitamins are tailored to take this into consideration.
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