A pregnant woman requires more nutrition than the average woman, to support both her changing body and her developing baby. Because of this, extra vitamin intake is a must. Most women benefit from taking prenatal vitamins during pregnancy, which are specially formulated to meet the needs of a pregnant mother and her unborn child.
Significance of Prenatal Vitamins
Pregnant women need more vitamins and minerals than their non-pregnant counterparts. In addition to providing their own body with nutrition--a body that is rapidly changing--they also eat enough to support the development of their unborn child. It can be challenging for even the healthiest of pregnant women to get all of these necessary vitamins and minerals, let alone those whose diets are lacking in certain areas. Taking a prenatal vitamin can help fill in the gaps.
Misconceptions About Multivitamins
While a multivitamin does provide more nutrition than diet alone, even those specifically designed for women's needs may still be lacking in some of the key nutrients pregnant women require. For example, women need more iron, folic acid and calcium when they are pregnant, especially in the early stages of their pregnancy. Adequate amounts of these nutrients are not always found in a standard women's multivitamin.
Function of Folic Acid
Folic acid is important early in pregnancy, as it helps ensure proper development of the neural tube--the structure that later develops into the baby's brain and spinal cord. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, or ACOG, recommends women of childbearing age get at least 400mcg of folic acid daily; however, they recommend pregnant women get a minimum of 600. The Cleveland Clinic, another leading source of health information, prefers pregnant women get between 800 and 1,000mcg of folic acid daily. This amount is difficult to take in through diet alone, which is another argument in the case for prenatal vitamins.
Benefits of Calcium and Iron
Calcium and Iron are two other important nutrients required early in pregnancy. Calcium is important for the baby's developing skeletal system, and iron for maintaining hemoglobin levels as blood supply increases. While these minerals are important for the baby's health, they are equally as important for the mother. Women who do not get enough iron during their pregnancy, or who do not have enough iron stored in their bodies prior to becoming pregnant are at risk for developing anemia. The Cleveland Clinic recommends 30mg daily for pregnant women. They also recommend 200 to 300mg of calcium. Pregnant women who get less than this may lose bone density as their baby's skeletal system develops.
Other Vitamins and Minerals
In addition to these three vital pregnancy nutrients, several other vitamins and minerals are important during pregnancy. The Cleveland Clinic recommends pregnant women get a minimum of the following: 70mg vitamin C, 4,000 to 5,000 units of vitamin A and 400 units of vitamin D. In addition, they may require more B12, zinc and vitamin E than the average woman. Some women may be tempted to take several supplements for certain vitamins during their pregnancy. However, the American Pregnancy Association recommends a prenatal over multiple supplements to avoid overdosing on one or more vitamins. Women with questions about vitamin intake during pregnancy should speak with their doctor.
