A prenatal vitamin is a multivitamin, but it is designed with the needs of a pregnant woman in mind. This means that it contains higher concentrations of certain vitamins and minerals than the average woman needs. While some pregnant women may get by with a healthy diet and a standard multivitamin, taking a prenatal ensures that she does not lack any of the vital nutrients both she and her baby need.
What's the Difference?
What is the difference between a prenatal vitamin and a multivitamin? For starters, prenatals usually cost more. But there is a good reason for that: prenatal vitamins also contain higher concentrations of the vital nutrients a pregnant woman needs for her unborn baby's development. Pregnant women need more of almost everything, because they are eating for two. In addition, their bodies are undergoing major changes at a rapid rate to support their growing child. Multivitamins do not contain enough iron or folic acid to meet a pregnant woman's needs, and they may fall short on other nutrients as well.
Getting Enough Folic Acid
Why is folic acid so important for pregnant women? Folic acid can help prevent defects of the neural tube. The neural tube forms early in pregnancy, and later develops into the baby's brain and spinal cord. Problems with neural tube formation can lead to major developmental disabilities for the baby. The Cleveland Clinic recommends that women of childbearing age get at least 400 mcg of folic acid from a daily supplement. However, when a woman is pregnant, the amount should increase. The Cleveland Clinic says that pregnant women should take a multivitamin with at least 800 to 1,000 mcg of folic acid.
Iron Intake
During pregnancy, a woman who does not get enough iron is more prone to anemia. Even women who get sufficient amounts during their pregnancy may still become anemic if their pre-pregnancy iron stores were low. According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 27 mg per day is ideal for pregnant women. Since the average woman only needs 18 mg, according to MayoClinic.com, a standard women's multivitamin would not be sufficient for a pregnant woman.
Making the Choice
Do all pregnant women need multivitamins? Yes. Do these multivitamins have to be prenatal strength? Well, that depends. According to MayoClinic.com, women who follow a healthy diet generally get enough vitamins and minerals from the food they eat, even when pregnant. However, this is not always the case. Some women may fall short due to dietary restrictions or poor eating habits. Many others simply prefer not to risk the developmental consequences of vitamin or mineral deficiency. In fact, Cleveland Clinic reports that most pregnant women should take prenatal vitamins. Unless you fall in the minority and have a nutrient-rich diet that contains adequate amounts of everything, then a prenatal vitamin is preferable over a standard vitamin. If you would prefer not to take a prenatal, talk to your doctor or a dietitian about alternative supplements, including multivitamins.
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