What Vitamins & Minerals Are in Prenatal Plus Iron?

What Vitamins & Minerals Are in Prenatal Plus Iron?
Photo Credit BananaStock/BananaStock/Getty Images

Prenatal Plus Iron is one of many prenatal vitamins available to help you stay healthy when pregnant. Prenatal vitamins also provide nutrients to your developing baby. You typically start prenatal vitamins about three months before you plan to conceive, ensuring that your developing baby receives all needed nutrients even before you realize you're about to become a parent.

Identification

Prenatal Plus Iron is a brown or tan tablet that is oval in shape and 19 mm long. It has "G13" stamped on it and is coated for easier swallowing. You typically receive the prescription in batches of 100 and should take it according to your obstetrician's recommendation. Some women experience nausea when taking prenatal vitamins, so ask your doctor about taking the pill at night or with a meal to minimize stomach upset and nausea.

Vitamins

Prenatal Plus Iron contains 10 vitamins. It contains 4000 international units, or IU, of vitamin A, also called acetate and beta carotene; 120 mg of vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid; 400 IU of cholecalciferol, or vitamin D-3. The supplement provides 22 mg of vitamin E, or alpha tocopheryl acetate; 1.84 mg of vitamin B-1, sourced from thiamine mononitrate; 3 mg of vitamin B-2, or riboflavin; and 20 mg of niacin. Rounding out the vitamins, Prenatal Plus Iron provides 10 mg of vitamin B-6, or pyridoxine HCI; 1 mg of folic acid, also called folate or vitamin B-9, and 12 mcg of vitamin B-12, or cyanocobalamin.

Minerals

Calcium, iron, copper and zinc are also part of Prenatal Plus Iron. The pill provides 200 mg of calcium; 27 mg of iron; 25 mg of zinc and 2 mg of copper. The calcium is provided as calcium carbonate, not calcium citrate, which means it is easy to digest.

Prenatal Vitamin

Since your baby begins developing as soon as you conceive, taking prenatal vitamins is an important part of your pregnancy planning. Folic acid supplementation helps minimize the potential for spinal cord and brain defects, which develop in the first month after conception. If you find it difficult to swallow a prenatal vitamin, talk with your doctor about chewable tablets, liquid supplements or separating the pill into two halves.

References

Article reviewed by Alison Gaynor Last updated on: Jun 9, 2011

Must see: Photo Galleries

Member Comments