Most pregnant women start prenatal supplements as soon as they know they're pregnant. But starting certain prenatal supplements even before pregnancy can have benefits, while some components of prenatal supplements aren't essential until later in pregnancy. Some supplements increase nausea in the first weeks of pregnancy and may worsen rather than improve a mom-to-be's nutritional status.
Purpose
The purpose of prenatal vitamins and supplements is to ensure that you and your baby aren't deficient in nutrients essential to his growth and to your well-being. Pregnancy puts extra stress on your body, increasing your need for some nutrients. If you don't eat well, you'll become nutrient deficient before the baby, since the baby takes the nutrients he needs from you, if necessary. Being deficient in iron and other nutrients can leave you tired and weak, and can cause problems at delivery if you have excessive bleeding. Being calcium deficient can damage your bones.
Timing
You don't need to start prenatal vitamins until you're pregnant, and really don't need them in the first few weeks, with one exception, Elisa Ross, M.D. reports on the Dr. Spock website. The exception is folic acid, which prevents neural tube defects such as spina bifida, an abnormal opening on the spine. Neural tube defects develop in the first 28 days of pregnancy, before many women know they're pregnant, so all women of childbearing age should take 400 mcg of folic acid all the time, since around 50 percent of pregnancies happen by accident, the Cleveland Clinic explains.
Benefits
The main nutritional benefits of prenatal supplements for women who eat well come from folic acid, calcium and iron, Dr. Ross states. However, taking prenatal vitamins before getting pregnant may actually decrease morning sickness, she adds, stating that women with a history of severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy should take prenatal supplements prior to getting pregnant. Folic acid is essential starting before pregnancy and continuing through the first six weeks of pregnancy. Once the neural tube closes, extra vitamins aren't needed until later in pregnancy, so women who experience nausea should discuss stopping vitamins until after nausea passes if the vitamins upset their stomach, Dr. Ross suggests.
Risks
Taking prenatal vitamins before pregnancy may harm some women. Prenatal vitamins supply a higher than necessary amount of iron for most women who aren't pregnant, so taking prenatal vitamins before pregnancy could cause excess iron buildup, which can be toxic, registered dietician Katherine Zeratsky reports on the Mayo Clinic website. More isn't better when it comes to prenatal vitamins once you become pregnant, either. Taking excessive amounts of some vitamins, such as vitamin A, could increase the risk of birth defects, BabyCenter warns. If you're taking a regular vitamin, don't also take a prenatal vitamin. Always discuss your particular needs with your medical practitioner.
Considerations
Some women, such as those carrying more than one baby, smokers and women who are anemic before getting pregnant, require prenatal supplements, and every pregnant woman needs extra folic acid. While studies show that prenatal vitamins may not be necessary for the entire pregnancy in every case, Dr. Ross explains, they provide an insurance policy against the possibility of vitamin or mineral deficiencies in pregnancy. Whether you need to take supplements all through pregnancy is a matter for discussion with your physician.
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