Prenatal vitamins are usually recommended for all mothers-to-be, sometimes even before they become pregnant. At different times during a baby's in utero development, certain nutrients are vital. Some milestones occur before a woman even knows she is pregnant. Women who take prenatal vitamins often have a better chance of giving birth to a healthy child.
Need For Prenatal Vitamins
Pregnant women require different amounts of vitamins and minerals than the average woman, even when all other factors, such as age and general health, are similar. While it may be tempting for a pregnant woman to simply "double up" her usual multivitamin, this can backfire. The American Pregnancy Association warns that this can lead to overdosing on one or more nutrients, which can have harmful effects on both mother and baby.
Prenatal Vitamin Characteristics
Prenatal vitamins contain ingredients similar to those in a multivitamin, with higher levels of certain vital pregnancy nutrients. These include iron, calcium and folic acid. Iron helps pregnant women avoid anemia as they produce extra blood for both themselves and their baby. Folic acid aids in the development of the neural tube. Mothers-to-be need calcium to maintain their bone density as the baby's skeletal system develops. In addition, the MayoClinic.com reports that the nutrients in prenatal vitamins can help reduce the risk of a low birth weight baby.
Healthy Eating
While it is possible for pregnant women to get all of their recommended daily amounts of vitamins and minerals through diet alone, it is definitely not easy. In addition to counting calories, pregnant women would have to chart their daily nutrient intake without fail. Early in pregnancy, there may be days when a woman cannot keep anything down. In addition, some women may miss nutrients without realizing it. The Cleveland Clinic warns that supplements are not an excuse for not eating a healthy diet during pregnancy, but they do provide assurance that a women is getting all the nutrients she needs.
Not Just for Pregnant Women
Women who are trying to get pregnant should start taking a prenatal vitamin right away. This is because neural tube problems often develop within the first month of pregnancy. In addition, the Cleveland Clinic reports that around half of all pregnancies are not planned in advance. This means that by the time a woman knows she is pregnant, it may be too late to prevent neural tube deficits in the baby. Taking a prenatal vitamin early can help keep this from happening.The MayoClinic.com recommends that women take prenatal vitamins several months before attempting to get pregnant.
Differences In Prenatal Vitamins
Women should talk to a doctor before choosing a brand. Not all prenatal vitamins contain the same amounts of vitamins and minerals, and not all pregnant women have the same nutritional needs. Some women may require a doctor's prescription for their prenatal vitamin of choice.
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