A regular multivitamin might not be enough for women during pregnancy. As the fetus grows, it requires more nutrients and these have to be supplied through the mother's everyday diet, and specific nutrients are needed in larger amounts to keep both mother and baby healthy. These excess nutrients can be found in a prenatal vitamin.
Multivitamins
Multivitamins are an easy and convenient way to add the extra nutrients to your diet that you might be lacking in your day-to-day food intake. There are many types of multivitamins on the market and reading labels is the best way to decide which one is right for you.
Prenatal Vitamins
Vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium are just a few of the nutrients found in both types of vitamins. Their sole responsibility is the creating and strengthening of the skeletal system. Because the baby grows at such a fast rate, these specific nutrients are found in much higher amounts in prenatal vitamins when compared with a multivitamin. The baby will take what it needs from the mother first so it is the mother's responsibility to make sure she ingests enough for both of them.
Nutrient Amounts
The Food and Nutrition Board has set recommended daily allowances for prenatal vitamins, and when compared with an average multivitamin, prenatal vitamins should include 600 IU more of vitamin D, 700 mg more of calcium, 1,200 mg more of phosphorus and 320 mg more of ,agnesium. You also might see an increase in iron, around 12 mg more, as pregnant mothers have a higher risk of anemia, and the excess iron might be needed. The amounts and types of the rest of the ingredients in both types of vitamins are comparable.
Folic Acid
Multivitamins and prenatal vitamins have about the same amount of folic acid, around 400 micrograms. When a woman is expecting to get pregnant or is newly pregnant your doctor might advise her to take and an additional 400 microgram supplement along with the other supplements. Folic acid helps with alleviating neural tube defects in newborns if it is taken right before or during the early stages of pregnancy.
Considerations
Not all multivitamins are created equal, and you should consult your health care provider before starting any new supplements. Multivitamins of any kind should not be a replacement for a healthy diet. Nutrients in pill form are not as easily absorbed by the body, thus eating the right foods with the correct amount of nutrients should be practiced first and a multivitamin added only as needed.
You might need to take the supplement on a full stomach or at bedtime, since vitamins of any kind can make some people feel nauseated for a brief period.
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