Prenatal vitamins are the nutritional insurance policy of pregnancy as they contain the nutrients needed for a healthy pregnancy. One of these important nutrients is iron. The amount of iron needed during pregnancy may be difficult to obtain through diet alone, so it is often included in prenatal vitamins.
Prenatal Vitamins
According to the American Pregnancy Association, prenatal vitamins contain more iron, folic acid and calcium than the standard multivitamin to meet the increased needs for these nutrients during pregnancy. A woman typically takes prenatal vitamins before pregnancy when she is trying to conceive as well as throughout the duration of the pregnancy. A balanced diet may fill the nutrient needs of pregnancy, but prenatal vitamins provide extra assurance.
Iron
Iron is a mineral that helps form red blood cells. Red blood cells distribute oxygen within the body to organs and tissues. During pregnancy the mother's blood supply is also responsible for delivering oxygen to the fetus' organs and tissues. Inadequate iron intake can lead to anemia. Symptoms of anemia include fatigue, trouble concentrating, dizziness and headaches. According to the APA, iron not only helps in the production of red blood cells, but can also help prevent low birth weight and premature delivery.
Amounts
The mother's blood volume increases during pregnancy in order to supply both the mother and they baby. An increased supply means the blood requires more red blood cells, which also means more iron. The RDA for iron increases from 18 mg pre-pregnancy to 27 mg during pregnancy. It can be difficult to obtain this amount of iron from the diet which is why it's often included in prenatal vitamins. Look for a prenatal vitamin that contains 27 to 30 mg of iron.
Considerations
Iron supplements can cause constipation. To avoid this side effect, drink plenty of fluids and eat fiber-containing foods like whole grains, fruits and vegetables. According the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, taking your prenatal vitamin with orange juice or another citrus fruit can help your body absorb the iron, as vitamin C enhances absorption. Do not take your prenatal vitamin with dairy, coffee or tea as it interferes with the absorption of iron.
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