Prenatal vitamins are taken by women during pregnancy. Sometimes, a doctor may suggest taking prenatal vitamins outside of pregnancy if the need for certain vitamins increases. Taking too many prenatal vitamins or taking them for extended amounts of time without direction may lead to vitamin toxicity.
Identification
Prenatal vitamins are used to meet the demands of the bodily changes that occur during pregnancy. During pregnancy, there is an increased need for iron, calcium and folic acid, which prenatal vitamins have a higher level of compared to regular over-the-counter vitamin supplements.
Usage
Prenatal vitamins are meant to be taken once per day during pregnancy. Your physician may suggest you begin taking prenatal vitamins as early as three months before trying to conceive. This gives your body a better environment to sustain a healthy pregnancy. You may also be directed to take prenatal vitamins if you have iron-deficiency anemia, irregular menstrual cycles or if you are lactating.
Safety
Taking prenatal vitamins for an extended amount of time or taking more than one in a day, can result in vitamin toxicity. Prenatal vitamins contain fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K which can cause life-threatening side effects if taken in excess. If you develop symptoms such as severe headache, severe back pain, muscle and joint pain, loss of appetite, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, contact your physician immediately.
Considerations
If you are pregnant and suffering from a vitamin deficiency, do not take prenatal vitamins along with the vitamin you are deficient in, before consulting with a physician. Although prenatal vitamins have higher levels of certain vitamins, it is not always best to take them to supplement for a deficiency. Consult a physician before taking prenatal vitamins if you are not pregnant and do not wish to become pregnant.
References
- American Pregnancy: Prenatal Vitamins: How Much is Too Much?
- MayoClinic.com: Prenatal Vitamins: Give Your Baby the Best Start; March 2010
- Colorado State University Extension: Fat Soluble Vitamins; J. Anderson, et al.; August 2008
- MayoClinic.com: Is It OK to Take Prenatal Vitamins if I'm Not Pregnancy and Don't Plan to Become Pregnant?; Katherine Zeratsky; November 2010
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