Prenatal vitamins are essential for a healthy pregnancy. You can purchase them over-the-counter while some require a prescription. Prenatal vitamins contain a specific blend of vitamins to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Talk to your health care provider about taking a prenatal vitamin if you plan on becoming pregnant.
About Prenatal Vitamins
Prenatal vitamins include a specific blend of vitamins including iron, calcium and folic acid. All of these ingredients have a specific function to help ensure a healthy pregnancy. Folic acid is included in prenatal vitamins to help prevent birth defects of the spine and brain. Calcium supports a healthy bone structure for the unborn baby, and ensures that the mother-to-be receives enough calcium during pregnancy. If you're expecting and don't consume enough calcium, the unborn baby will deplete your calcium supply. Iron is included in prenatal vitamins because of the increased demand of blood volume during pregnancy.
When You're Not Pregnant
Some women believe that prenatal vitamins help grow long fingernails and long hair, but this is not true. None of the ingredients contained in prenatal vitamins help grow hair or nails. If you're planning on becoming pregnant, your health care provider may recommend beginning a prenatal vitamin three months prior to your pregnancy. Taking folic acid at least three months before becoming pregnant can decrease the risk of birth defects.
Safety
Prenatal vitamins while you're not pregnant will most likely not harm you; remember, your doctor may advise taking them three months prior to becoming pregnant. Prenatal vitamins may cause some side effects, even if you are pregnant. Some women complain of constipation while taking prenatal vitamins. This is often related to the high amount of iron that prenatal vitamins contain. Too much folic acid may mask the symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency; this could result in a prolonged diagnosis and treatment. Most prenatal vitamins only contain about 200 to 300mg of calcium because it's only meant to boost your calcium supply, not provide the complete daily recommended allowance.
Bottom Line
Do not take prenatal vitamin supplements without talking to your health care provider. While they may not cause you much harm, it's best to take a multivitamin tailored to your specific needs---if you require one at all. Most Americans receive plenty of vitamins and minerals from diet alone. It's also possible to overdose on vitamins, which could lead to severe side effects such as abnormal sinus rhythm, damage to your central nervous system and severe vomiting that contains blood.
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