Good nutrition is important at all times, but is especially important during pregnancy. In addition to eating a well-balanced diet, for most pregnant women, taking a daily prenatal vitamin is standard protocol to ensure their babies receive adequate nutrition for proper growth and development. Many experts also recommend taking a prenatal vitamin before pregnancy and during lactation. Several types of prenatal vitamins are available both over-the-counter and by prescription. Your health care provider can help recommend a vitamin appropriate for you.
Prescription Vitamins
Your health care provider may suggest a prescription prenatal vitamin. Most prescription vitamins have a higher dose of folic acid--about 1,000 mcg--than regular adult multivitamins, which may help lower the risk of miscarriage. They may also have higher amounts of iron added. Some women report that prescription prenatal vitamins are more difficult to tolerate because of the higher doses of some nutrients, with nausea and constipation as common side effects. Taking your vitamin before bed or with a meal and plenty of fluids may help ease some of these symptoms. Prescription vitamins may be a more convenient choice as they can be taken in one dose, whereas some over-the-counter vitamins need to be taken twice a day.
Over-the-Counter Vitamins
Most prenatal vitamins available over-the-counter provide the minimum amount of nutrients needed during pregnancy. Some over-the-counter prenatal vitamins may be lower in nutrients, such as folic acid and iron, than their prescription counterparts, but are usually sufficient choices for most women.
Tolerance to Prenatal Vitamins
Another example of how different prenatal vitamins can be is revealed by women's tolerances to some brands but not others. Because of higher doses of iron and calcium, many women report constipation associated with prenatal vitamin intake. Some manufacturers add a stool softener to counteract this symptom. For nausea associated with morning sickness or the vitamin itself, some vitamins have added ingredients, such as ginger, or special coatings to help improve the symptoms. For women who are unable to swallow the pill vitamin, which can be very large, prenatal vitamins also come in chewable and liquid forms.
Vitamins for Special Health Needs
Many vitamins are adding nutrients such as DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid that may help healthy brain, eye and heart development. Certain prenatal vitamins are developed to target populations of women with specific health needs. For example, gluten-free vitamins are available for people with celiac disease. Also, for women who require higher doses of iron because of anemia, some prenatal vitamins include greater doses of the nutrient. It is important to remember not to take any supplements without first consulting your health care provider as taking too high of a dose of some nutrients can have dangerous effects to both you and your baby.
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