Prenatal vitamins are formulated specifically for pregnant and nursing mothers. They contain a specific amount of certain vitamins that women who are pregnant or nursing need. Women who aren't pregnant or nursing may not require the same amount of these specific vitamins.
What's In Prenatal Vitamins?
Prenatal vitamins contain plenty of iron, calcium and folic acid to help keep pregnant women healthy. All of these nutrients are essential to a pregnancy because the fetus needs them to develop and grow. Folic acid helps protect unborn babies from developing neurological and spinal birth defects. Iron helps make new red blood cells and aids in producing hemoglobin, which helps blood cells carry oxygen. Calcium keeps teeth and bones strong and aids in the makeup of your unborn baby's bones.
Before Pregnancy
Your health care practitioner may have you begin taking prenatal vitamins prior to becoming pregnant. Taking folic acid prior to pregnancy and during pregnancy can significantly reduce the risk of birth defects, especially if you've had a previous pregnancy and your other children had birth defects. Taking prenatal vitamins prior to becoming pregnant can also help ensure your bones and teeth are strong and healthy due to the added calcium found in prenatal vitamins. If you don't get enough calcium to meet the demands of the baby's needs, your unborn baby will use any and all resources of calcium within your body; this can leave your bones weak and brittle for the next nine months, and possibly longer.
After Pregnancy
There are certain circumstances in which your health care provider may recommend continuing prenatal vitamins for a short time after you deliver your infant. If you experience heavy menstrual bleeding after delivery, your physician may recommend continuing with your prenatal vitamins until the bleeding has ceased; this is because of the additional iron found in prenatal vitamins. If you are breastfeeding, your physician may recommend continuing with your prenatal vitamins due to your body's increased demand for additional calcium and iron for your baby's health as well as your own health.
Considerations
If you do not plan on becoming pregnant, talk to your health care provider to determine whether or not you need a vitamin supplement. He can recommend a vitamin that addresses your nutritional needs, gender and age group. Taking prenatal vitamins without the need for them can cause side effects such as constipation, nausea and vomiting because they contain more iron than ordinary vitamin supplements.
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