Women are usually advised to take a prenatal vitamin during pregnancy to supplement their diets; however, not all prenatal vitamins contain the same ingredients. Some may even require a doctor's prescription. When looking for a prenatal vitamin, there are a few guidelines you should follow to ensure you are getting adequate nutrition.
Why They're Advisable
Yes, it is possible for a pregnant woman to get enough nutrients from their diets alone. However, it is not advisable. It is challenging to get enough extra vitamins and minerals developing babies need to grow. For example, pregnant women need almost twice as much iron as the average woman or they risk developing pregnancy-related anemia. In addition, women who do not get enough calcium in their diets and do not supplement may experience bone loss as their baby's skeleton develops. Women who do not get enough folic acid in the earliest stages of pregnancy may risk giving birth to a child with neural tube defects, which can cause brain damage or spina bifida. Even with the healthiest of diets, taking a prenatal vitamin should be a high priority.
Important Ingredients
A prenatal vitamin is a multivitamin specifically designed for all of a pregnant woman's needs. While it contains a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, make sure they contain enough iron, folic acid and calcium in particular. According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, or ACOG, pregnant women need 600 micrograms of folic acid, 27 mg of iron and 1,000 mg of calcium every day. This includes both dietary sources and that which is found in a vitamin.
Vitamin Contents
The Cleveland Clinic recommends looking for a prenatal with a bare minimum of nutrients, regardless of how well you eat. This includes 800 to 1,000 micrograms of folic acid and 30 mg of iron. These are more than the amounts recommended by ACOG. Iron intake is especially important during pregnancy. Women who had low iron stores before their pregnancy can still develop anemia even if they get the recommended daily iron, as their bodies struggle to catch up. In addition, different experts may recommend different amounts of some key nutrients based on their personal experience or relevant research.
Other Vitamins
In addition to the three key ingredients, pregnant women need to ensure they get vitamins A, E, C and D in a prenatal, in addition to the B vitamins and zinc. The recommended amounts for each pregnant woman may vary based upon age, diet and other health-related condition. The best way to find a prenatal vitamin is to ask your obstetrician for a recommendation. Alternatively, you can consult a nutritionist to find the exact supplements you need for your diet.
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