Prenatal vitamins are specifically designed to meet the nutritional needs of pregnant women. They generally contain higher amounts of iron and folic acid, calcium and zinc than other multivitamin supplements. Prenatal vitamins also tend to have lower amounts of vitamin A, as large amounts might cause birth defects. Because of this, women who are taking hormonal birth control medications and not planning on becoming pregnant soon should not take these supplements.
Considerations
When it comes to determining how much of a certain vitamin or mineral to take, you should generally stick as close to the recommended dietary allowance established for age and gender as possible. Taking a prenatal vitamin when you are not pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive might cause you to get too much of certain vitamins or minerals. This increases your chances of experiencing unpleasant or even dangerous side effects. For example, taking a prenatal vitamin that contains large amounts of iron can cause the mineral to accumulate in the body and become toxic, while getting excessive amounts of folic acid from a prenatal vitamin might mask a vitamin B-12 deficiency. It always is ideal to take a multivitamin supplement that has been specifically designed for your age group, gender and lifestyle.
Misconceptions
Some people believe that the added amounts of vitamins found in prenatal vitamin supplements can produce desirable effects, such as strengthening their nails or lengthening their hair, but as of publication, no scientific evidence exists to support these theories. The only people who generally benefit from taking a prenatal vitamin are those who are pregnant, breastfeeding or going to be trying to conceive soon. Talk to your doctor to explore other options if you believe you need higher doses of vitamins or minerals. Your doctor will be able to look at your specific medical condition and lifestyle and suggest appropriate options.
Breastfeeding or Trying to Conceive
If you currently are on birth control but are planning on becoming pregnant soon, it might be appropriate to take a prenatal vitamin. It is preferable to begin taking prenatal vitamins about three months before you actively begin trying to conceive, according to MayoClinic.com. This is true regardless of whether you are taking birth control medication. In addition, breastfeeding women, like pregnant women, also have a higher need for many vitamins and minerals and a regular multivitamin supplement might not adequately meet their needs. Because of this, women who have recently given birth and are breastfeeding their babies also might wish to continue taking prenatal vitamins, even if they go on birth control medication to prevent another pregnancy.
Drug Interactions
Prenatal vitamins generally should not interact negatively with birth control medications, but since the specific ingredients of each medication or supplement can vary greatly, it always is wise to rule out potential drug interactions before taking any new medication or vitamin supplement. Report the specific brand of birth control medication and prenatal vitamin you wish to take to a doctor or pharmacist so she can conclusively rule out a potential drug interaction between the two brands.
