Getting the right kinds of vitamins and minerals is especially important during pregnancy. If your doctor recommends taking a multivitamin while you are pregnant, be sure to look for one that is tailored for prenatal health. According to the Baby Center, all women of child-bearing age should take a multivitamin that contains the essential nutrients for maintaining a healthy pregnancy, even if they are not yet pregnant. As with any dietary supplement, consult your doctor before taking a regular multivitamin.
Folic Acid
Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects that can occur in early pregnancy. Examples of neural tube defects include spina bifida and anencephaly, both of which may develop within the first 28 days of your pregnancy. For this reason, many doctors recommend that all women take folic acid supplements of 400 mcg per day. Higher doses may be needed if you have a family history of spina bifida or if you have had previous pregnancies with neural tube birth defects.
Iron
Many pregnant women develop iron-deficiency anemia due to inadequate iron intake. For optimal health benefit, choose a multivitamin that contains 30 mg of iron during your pregnancy. According to My Cleveland Clinic, most doctors recommend taking iron supplements during the second and third trimesters of your pregnancy. You may need more than 30 mg if you develop iron-deficiency anemia, but consult your doctor before taking high doses of iron, which can be toxic when taken in high doses.
Calcium and Vitamin D
Calcium and vitamin D work together to help form strong bones, both for you and for your developing baby. Babies who don't receive enough vitamin D in the womb are more likely to suffer from rickets after they are born. Women who don't receive enough calcium during pregnancies are also more likely to develop osteoporosis later in life, according to March of Dimes. For optimal health benefit, ensure that your prenatal vitamin contains at least 100 to 200 mg of calcium and 5 mcg of vitamin D.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 essential fatty acids EPA, or eicosapentaenoic acid, and DHA, or docosahexaenoic acid play an important role in the production of prostaglandins, the hormone-like substances that aid in the development of your baby's heart, immune system, brain, eyes and central nervous system. They may also prevent preterm labor and lower the risk of preeclampsia and postpartum depression, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Look for a prenatal vitamin that contains 220 mg of EPA and 300 mg of DHA.
References
- Baby Center: Prenatal Vitamins: A Nutritional Insurance Policy
- March of Dimes: Vitamins and Minerals During Pregnancy
- American Pregnancy Association: Folic Acid
- My Cleveland Clinic: Increasing Iron in Your Diet During Pregnancy for Vegetarians
- Baby Center: Vitamin D in Your Pregnancy Diet
- American Pregnancy Association: Omega-3 Fish Oil and Pregnancy
