Prenatal vitamins and multivitamins are not all alike. Prenatal vitamins are specifically designed to give a pregnant woman access to specific vitamins and minerals: those she and her developing baby need for a healthy pregnancy. Multivitamins are a valid source of vitamins and nutrients; however, they are not necessarily enough for a pregnant woman.
Prenatal Vitamins vs. Multivitamins
Both prenatal vitamins and multivitamins are designed to provide women with another source of nutrients: those that she may not get from her diet alone. However, the two are not the same. Pregnant women have different needs than those of the average woman, even if their pre-pregnancy needs were similar. This is because pregnant woman have to consider not only their own nutritional needs, but also those of the developing baby. Pregnant women are not only eating for two, but also taking vitamins for two.
Features of Prenatal Vitamins
Prenatal vitamins have similar ingredients as most multivitamins; however, they contain more of certain key nutrients. For example, prenatals often contain more iron, folic acid and calcium than the average multivitamin. Iron is required for pregnant women as their blood supply increases, and folic acid ensures the baby's neural tube has the best chance of developing without any problems. Extra calcium is necessary for the baby to develop a strong skeleton. In addition, prenatals contain more of vitamins A, C and D than the average multivitamin.
Considerations for Prenatal Vitamins
Pregnant women who take a regular multivitamin instead of a prenatal may leave both themselves and their babies more prone to pregnancy-related complications and birth defects. If a woman does not get enough folic acid early in her pregnancy, her baby may develop a neural tube deficit such as spina bifida. In addition, if she does not get the extra calcium and iron she needs, she risks losing her bone density and developing anemia. Even if she eats a nutritious diet, she may still need another source for these vitamins and minerals for her and her baby's health.
Warning
While being short of certain nutrients can be a problem for a pregnant woman, the American Pregnancy Association, or APA, also warns against vitamin overdosing. It is possible to get too much of a good thing, including vitamins and minerals during pregnancy. The APA cautions pregnant women against taking multiple supplements in order to meet their daily recommended requirements, as this increases their risk of overloading on certain substances, such as vitamin D.
Benefits of Prenatals for Other Women
Prenatals are not just for pregnant women. Many of the necessary nutrients in prenatal vitamins are important in the earliest stages of pregnancy, before some women even know they are pregnant. Because of this, ACOG recommends women begin taking a prenatal vitamin before they try to get pregnant. Women of childbearing age who may become pregnant, even if they are not planning to become pregnant, may also benefit from switching their multivitamin to a prenatal vitamin. This can help protect both mom and baby's health in the case of a surprise pregnancy.
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