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The Importance Of Prenatal Vitamins For Pregnant Women

Do I really need to take prenatal vitamins? If you are pregnant and you care about your nutrition and habitually eat a wide range of foods like meat, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes, it is likely that your diet will provide almost all the nutrients both you and your unborn baby need. In most cases, many women will need to take some prenatal vitamin and mineral supplement.

The importance of prenatal vitamins for pregnant women has been a hot topic for quite some time. Women are now encouraged to take them before getting pregnant to prevent birth defects, as well as throughout the pregnancy and breastfeeding to ensure a healthy baby. Prenatal vitamins are a supplement to the diet and should not be substituted for healthy food choices.

There are many over the counter prenatal vitamins available in addition to those prescribed by a physician. Absorption rates can vary between over the counter brands, or there may be too much or too little of an essential vitamin or mineral. The prenatal vitamins prescribed by physicians are usually of better quality and have greater absorption rates. All types of insurance plans cover most prenatal vitamins so that they are affordable and accessible to women.

At the first prenatal visit, prenatal vitamins should be prescribed if the woman has not already started taking them. There are many different vitamins available and the health care provider can recommend which prenatal vitamins are appropriate. Side effects such as nausea are common, and can be alleviated by taking with food, and not on an empty stomach. If the vitamin can still not be tolerated, the physician can prescribe another in its place.

Note: Women who need to take prenatal vitamins:- Pregnant women with certain health issues, dietary restrictions or pregnancy complications are encouraged to take some prenatal vitamins. Vegetarians and vegans, lactose intolerant women, smokers and women who abuse other substances, women who are having more than one baby and women with certain blood disorders and certain chronic diseases will need to take prenatal vitamins.

It is an important part of prenatal care a woman should adhere to on a consistent basis, an easy step to help prevent nutritional deficiencies and neural tube defects, such as spina bifida and anencephaly. In a recent study, the March of Dimes found that only two thirds of women aged 18 45 were getting an adequate amount of folic acid during pregnancy.

There is not enough folic acid in fortified foods, making it difficult for pregnant women to get sufficient folic acid from their diets alone. The average prenatal vitamin contains the recommended 400 mcg of folic acid, and when taken daily is the easiest step toward preventing neural tube defects.

Additional calcium is important as well. According to established nutritional guidelines, the average woman requires 1200 mg per day, and when pregnant, this amount increases to 1500 mg per day. The amount of calcium in a daily prenatal vitamin is not sufficient, which is why the diet must be supplemented with other forms, such as milk, cheese, yogurt, and green leafy vegetables to name a few. Folic acid is another important nutrient during pregnancy, and is most often contained in the prenatal vitamin in a sufficient dose.

Of course, if there is a history of folic acid deficiency, a higher dose would be required. Too much vitamin A can also be detrimental, which is why the use of prenatal vitamins and diet should be discussed with the prenatal health care provider.

If a woman is considering pregnancy, she should consult her obstetrician or midwife to discuss diet, general health, stress, and others factors to be considered. Prenatal vitamins are an important part of a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby, and should not be left out of the discussion. The importance of taking a daily prenatal vitamin cannot be stressed enough; it's your baby's future.

Note: FDA does not regulate what goes into vitamin and mineral supplements. No standards have been set for what should be inside them. Therefore you and your doctor have to make sure you choose one that is appropriate for you.

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