Women who are pregnant may not always get the right mix of vitamins and minerals through their diet alone. Prenatal vitamins are specially formulated to meet the needs of pregnant women and their developing babies, and they can help women make up for what their diet may lack. Prenatals are not just for pregnant women; taking prenatal vitamins early may help prevent future pregnancy complications.
Prenatals vs. Multivitamins
Prenatal vitamins and multivitamins are not the same. Multivitamins for women supply a mix of vitamins and minerals specific to female needs; however, a prenatal vitamin takes into account the needs of both a pregnant woman and her developing baby. Moms-to-be need more calcium, iron and folic acid than the average woman. Because the needs of pregnant women are so specialized, the American Pregnancy Association advises against taking multiple supplements and recommends focusing instead on a single all-encompassing prenatal vitamin.
Prenatals Before Pregnancy
Women who are trying to conceive are often advised to start taking a prenatal vitamin early. In fact, MayoClinic.com recommends hopeful moms-to-be start prenatals about three months before they become pregnant. During the first month of pregnancy, a structure called the neural tube, which later becomes the brain and spinal cord, begins to develop. Neural tube problems can lead to birth defects, such as spina bifida and brain damage. Women who are already in the habit of taking a prenatal vitamin will get enough folic acid during this early developmental stage, which may otherwise be over by the time they find out they are pregnant.
Starting Prenatals During Pregnancy
Surprise pregnancy? You are not alone. The Cleveland Clinic reports that about half of all pregnancies are not planned. Many women may find out they are pregnant at the one- or two-month mark, after the initial fetal development has already begun. However, it's not too late; pregnant women still need extra daily nutrients, such as iron and calcium, to prevent anemia and bone-density loss during their pregnancy. In addition, other vitamins, such as vitamin A and vitamin D, are also important in larger quantities for pregnant women. Starting a prenatal late is not ideal, but it is better than not taking one at all.
Prenatals for Women of Age
Because pregnancies are not always predictable, the Cleveland Clinic recommends all women of childbearing age take some type of multivitamin, including prenatal vitamins, even if they are not trying to get pregnant. Women who get at least 400 mcg folic acid daily have a better chance of avoiding neural tube defects than those who rely on folic acid from their diet alone. In addition, women may also avoid pregnancy-induced anemia if they are already on a supplement that contains iron before they become pregnant. Pregnant women increase their blood supply early on in their pregnancy to support their developing baby.
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