Like multivitamins, prenatals contain a variety of vitamins and minerals to supplement the diet. However, prenatals are designed specifically for the needs of a pregnant woman. While women can take prenatals before they become pregnant, pregnant women should not take standard multivitamins. If so, they could miss out on key nutrients for their baby.
Prenatals: What's Different?
Prenatal vitamins contain multiple vitamins and minerals but with two important ingredients for pregnancy: Most prenatal vitamins contain more folic acid and iron than the average women's supplement. In particular, pregnant women need at least 600 micrograms of folic acid and 27 milligrams of iron each day, per the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, or ACOG. However, this is just a guideline. The Cleveland Clinic recommends more than this. Doctors there advise pregnant women to look for a prenatal that contains 800 to 1,000 micrograms of folic acid and 30 milligrams of iron. Calcium is also important for pregnant women, as a deficiency can lead to bone loss during pregnancy. Pregnant women need around 1,000 milligrams per day, per ACOG.
What You Could Be Missing
If you do not take a prenatal vitamin during your pregnancy, you may increase your risk of pregnancy-related complications as well as birth defects. These include anemia and bone density loss, as well as having a baby with spina bifida, low birth weight or brain damage. Even women who eat a healthy diet are advised to take a prenatal, as some important nutrients may be difficult to get in adequate amounts from diet alone. In addition, women with special diets may already be lacking in some important nutrients, such as those who are vegetarian or vegan. This includes both iron and calcium.
When a Prenatal Is Important
Multivitamins are not enough for pregnant women. However, prenatals may be appropriate for women who are not pregnant. Women who are trying to get pregnant should already be taking a prenatal. In addition, women who are of childbearing age are also advised to take either a prenatal vitamin or a supplement containing at least 400 micrograms of folic acid, per ACOG. The baby's neural tube, which later becomes the brain and spinal cord, develops during the first month of pregnancy. During this time, many women may not even know they are pregnant. In addition, not all pregnancies are planned: The Cleveland Clinic reports that around 50 percent of pregnancies are a surprise. Taking prenatal vitamins during childbearing years can help both baby and mom get the best start regardless of planning.
What to Look For
Not all prenatal vitamins are the same. When looking for a prenatal vitamin, focus on the three key ingredients: folic acid, iron and calcium. In addition, the Mayo Clinic stresses the importance of Vitamin D during pregnancy, especially in the last trimester. Make sure from the start that your prenatal contains at least 400 international units, says the Cleveland Clinic. You may have to become an avid label reader, as not all prenatals contain this recommended amount. If you are not sure which prenatal to take or are concerned about special dietary issues, talk to your obstetrician or nutritionist.
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