Comparing Prenatal Vitamins

Congratulations, you have just found out that you are pregnant. Among the hundreds of things running through your mind right now, one is sure to be, "Which prenatal vitamins should I take?" The choices are as plentiful as the list of names you are looking through. Learn which vitamins and minerals are most important for you and your baby, then compare a few of the combinations to help you decide which one meets your needs best.

When/How

Despite their name, prenatal vitamins are designed to take before you become pregnant, during your pregnancy and after your baby arrives. Some supplements are recommended as early as three months before conception (such as folic acid) and some, after you give birth (iron). Many vitamins and minerals are also recommended the entire time that you are lactating.
Multivitamin combinations can vary greatly and are manufactured to meet specific medical conditions, sex, age and lifestyle. The wise consumer does her homework before buying the prettiest package, clever name or cheapest supplements. Many prenatal vitamins are now sold over the counter. Some are available by prescription only and of course, your health care provider will direct you to the brands she prefers.

Vital Benefits

Within the past four to six years, four significant vitamins and minerals have been heavily enouraged for pregnant women and therefore have been added to most prenatal supplements. These are considered vital for fetal growth and development, as well as healthy for Mom, and include folic acid, iron, calcium and DHA.
According to the Mayo Clinic, folic acid (AKA folate) should be taken in daily doses of 800 micrograms (mcg) or 0.8 milligrams (mg) before conception, then increased to 1,000 mcg (1mg) during pregnancy.
Note: This has increased in recent years from the older recommendation of 0.6 mg. Deficiencies of folic acid are linked with megaloblastic anemia and neural tube defects (i.e. spina bifida and anencephaly). The Mayo Clinic also recommends iron (aka ferrous sulfate) in daily doses of 27mg. and calcium at 1000 mg each day.

Natural vs. Synthetic

In a report by the Institute of Medicine, "Seafood Choices: balancing benefits and risks," the Omega-3 fatty acids, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosapentaenoic acid) come highly recommended in the diet of pregnant women. "Infants whose mothers consume EPA and DHA during pregnancy may gain benefits such as longer gestation (length of pregnancy--full-term 38-40 weeks) and better vision and brain development," the report adds. Note: Many experts recommend taking supplements over the risks associated with contaminants found in natural seafood (i.e. chemicals, metals such as mercury and harmful microbes).

Warning

Keep in mind that it is possible to jeopardize your baby's (or your own) health by taking inappropriate amounts of synthetic vitamins, so be sure your health care provider is aware of any supplements you are taking. As always, check with them before beginning any supplement, herb or medication.
According to the "American Pregnancy" website, you should "avoid taking several different supplements unless under supervision of your health care provider. Instead take one multivitamin that includes a variety of needed nutrients in one dose." This will reduce the "risk of overdosing" on any nutrient. In the case of prenatal vitamins, more of a good thing is not a good thing "More than 100 perecent of the RDA (recommended daily allowance) of any nutrient should be avoided during pregnancy unless under the direction of your health care provider," the site says.

Specifics

Most basic nutrients (found in any standard multivitamin) needed during pregnancy, can be met by a well-balanced diet and exercising in a little sunshine. With this in mind, many basic vitamins and minerals would not need supplementation. But due to our hectic lifestyles and poor eating habits, you may feel more at ease (as will your health care provider) if you ingest the following amounts recommended by the Institute of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences of daily nutrients while pregnant and during lactation:
A -- 770 mcg in Pregnancy (P) and 1300 mcg in Lactation (L)
B1 (thiamine) -- 1.4 mg in both P and L
B2 (riboflavin) -- 1.4 mg in P and 1.6 mg in L
B6 (pyridoxine) -- 1.9 mg in P and 2 mg in L
B12 (sometimes deficient in vegan diets) -- 2.6 mcg in P and 2.8 mcg in L
C (ascorbic acid) -- 85 mg in P and 120 mg in L
D (found in fortified milk--ultraviolet light needed for conversion) --5 mcg in both P and L
E (antioxidant) -- 15 mg in P 19 mg in L
K -- 90 mg in both P and L
Niacin -- 18 mcg in P and 17 mcg in L
Phosphorus -- 70 mg in P and L
Zinc -- 11 mg in P and 12 in L
Sodium -- 1.5 mg P and L