prenatal vitamins what are they good for

The first few weeks of pregnancy are a really important time for fetal health and development. Taking folic acid and other prenatal vitamins can help reduce the risk of some birth defects. Keep taking prenatal vitaminsthroughout your entire pregnancy.

So first we need to know what happens if you take prenatal vitamins when you are not pregnant , actually "Prenatal vitamins do not have enough vitamin D or calcium to meet our daily requirements." ... Taking prenatal vitamins when you aren't pregnant or nursing could cause side effects such as upset stomach, constipation, and heartburn, says Arielle Levitan, M.D., co-founder of Vous.

What are the benefits of prenatal vitamins?

• Folic acid, 600 mcg, to prevent neural tube defects. ...
• Iron, 27 mg, to help supply more oxygen to the baby and prevent iron deficiency during pregnancy.
• Calcium, 1,000 mg, for an infant's healthy bone growth and muscular function, and to prevent bone loss in the mother.

When to start taking prenatal vitamins

Because so much of a baby's development happens during the early weeks of pregnancy, it's important to start taking prenatal vitaminsbefore you start trying to get pregnant (three months is a good rule of thumb). That way,you can ensure you're giving your body (and your baby!)

Do Prenatals make you fertile?

Taking a prenatal vitamin is perfectly healthy for someone not looking to conceive. While it won't support fertility, it will replenish folic acid, iron, vitamin D, and calcium stores in the body. This can help keep you strong and prevent potential health complications in an unexpected pregnancy.

What should be in your prenatal vitamin?

There’s no set-in-stone formula for prenatal vitamins, but the majority of the options on the market contain these essentials:

• Folic acid (400-600 micrograms, mcg): Before you conceive, you’ll need 400 mcg of folic acid a day to prevent neural tube defects. During pregnancy, that amount should ideally increase to 600 mcg.

• Iron (27 milligrams, mg): Your body needs iron to make healthy red blood cells, which help shuttle oxygen throughout your body. Now that you’re pregnant, you’ll need to pump even more iron to meet the demands of your ever-expanding blood supply, which will in turn supply your baby with oxygen. If you don’t eat enough iron, you run the risk of developing pregnancy-induced anemia.

• Calcium (250 mg): Your growing baby needs calcium to build bones and teeth, but if you’re not a big milk drinker, you could be running low. Shoot for an intake of about 1,200 mg of calcium a day, including from food (you shouldn't take more than 250 mg from a prenatal at the same time as supplementary iron).

• Vitamin D (400 IUs): When paired with calcium, vitamin D helps build baby’s bones and teeth.

• DHA: Although not all prenatals contain DHA (a fatty acid found in fish), it’s important for baby’s brain and eye development. Talk to your doctor to determine whether or not you are getting enough DHA from your diet.

• Vitamin B6 (2 mg): Vitamin B6 can help quell morning sickness during pregnancy.

• Iodine (150 mcg): Iodine helps your body produce thyroid hormones, which aids baby’s brain development. Problem is, mild iodine deficiency is common among pregnant women, which is why the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends taking a prenatal that contains at least 150 mcg of iodine.

Which prenatal vitamins are best?

Looking for the best over-the-counter prenatals on the market? Here are our top picks.

 

• Why We Love It

A 2019 What to Expect Award winner, Nature Made Prenatal Softgels are packed with all the nutrients you need, and in impressive amounts. They’re especially rich in folate, vitamin D, iron and DHA. The affordable price tag doesn't hurt either, especially when you consider how many bottles you'll need over the course of your pregnancy.

• Why We Love It

You can’t go wrong with One a Day’s prenatal vitamins, another 2019 What to Expect Award winner. The brand contains all the essential nutrients (iron, vitamin D, folic acid), plus a few important extras, like DHA and B6. 

• Why We Love It

Can’t stomach a horse-sized supplement? Try a gummy instead. Vitafusion PreNatal gummies pack many of the essential nutrients you need (including DHA) into a lemon- and raspberry-flavored chew that rivals your favorite candy. Plus, they also contain 800 IU of vitamin D — “more than most prenatals,” says Wright. One note: They do not contain iron.

• Why We Love It

Garden of Life prenatals are made entirely from whole foods and boast an impressive list of nutrients (800 mcg of folate and 1,400 IUs of vitamin D, for example). We also love that they contain vitamin B6 and some ginger, which can help ease morning sickness.