While it may seem strange, many women start taking a prenatal vitamin before they become pregnant. Some key nutrients are important for a baby's development before a woman learns she is pregnant. Taking a prenatal early can give you a head start on your baby's nutrition and growth.
Prenatals Over Multivitamins
Most women can meet their dietary needs by eating well and taking a women's formula multivitamin. However, the nutritional needs of pregnant women are greater than those who are not yet pregnant. Women who do not get enough of certain nutrients during the early months of their pregnancy may be at risk for birth defects as well as other pregnancy-related complications, such as anemia, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, or ACOG. The argument is strong for prenatals over multivitmains if a woman is actively trying to conceive, as many of these nutrients are vital in the development that occurs before she may know she is pregnant.
Who Should Take Prenatals
All women who are trying to conceive should take a prenatal vitamin. In fact, the Mayo Clinic recommends women start taking prenatals as early as three months before they plan to start trying for a baby. Women who are not trying to get pregnant but are of childbearing age may also benefit from a prenatal vitamin: According to the Cleveland Clinic, around half of all pregnancies are a surprise. Women who do not get enough of the key ingredients, such as folic acid and iron, may be at a greater risk for pregnancy-related complications if their supplement does not contain a certain minimum of these nutrients.
Folic Acid and Iron
During early pregnancy, folic acid and iron play an important role in both the baby's development and in developing and nourishing both the mother's and baby's blood supplies. According to ACOG, women of child-bearing age should get at least 400 micrograms of folic acid from their supplement. Women who do not get this minimum have a greater risk of having a baby with spina bifida or brain damage due to neural tube defects. In addition, ACOG recommends that pregnant women get at least 27 milligrams of iron a day, nearly double the recommended amount for the average woman. Women who have low iron stores before their pregnancy may be at an increased risk for pregnancy anemia even if they get this recommended amount during their pregnancy, says the Cleveland Clinic. Taking extra iron before you get pregnant can reduce your risk.
Do I Need a Prescription?
Probably not. Many brands of prenatal vitamins are available for over-the-counter purchase at pharmacies. However, not all prenatal vitamins are alike. If opting for a prenatal vitamin over a multivitamin before your pregnancy, the Cleveland Clinic recommends you look for one with the following: 30 mg of iron, 800 micrograms of folic acid, 200 to 300 mg of calcium and 400 international units of vitamin D. In addition, they recommend 4,000 international units of vitamin A, 70 mg of vitamin C and 10 mg of vitamin E. Check with your doctor to see what he recommends. If you cannot find an adequate supplement on the shelf, he can prescribe one that is appropriate for your needs.
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