Prenatal Vitamins
-brought to you by the
American Pregnancy Association
Prenatal supplements consist of a variety of vitamins and minerals. During
pregnancy, a woman’s daily intake requirements for certain nutrients, such as
folic acid (folate), calcium, and iron will increase. Vitamins and minerals such
as iron, calcium, and folic acid are vital for proper fetal growth, development
and healthy adult living.
To help increase your chances of creating a healthy and nutritious
environment for your baby to develop, it is important that you establish a
well-balanced diet and exercise routine before you get pregnant. If you choose
to supplement your diet with synthetic nutrients, be sure to keep track of daily
amounts that you take and let your health care provider know.
Choose Wisely: Multivitamin combinations can vary depending on the
nutritional focus. For example, some manufacturers will create multivitamins
that have a higher amount of iron than usual, targeting women who are prone to
iron-deficiency anemia. While certain prenatal multivitamins are only
available by a doctor’s prescription, there are many of them are available over
the counter. 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.
Talk to Your Health Care Provider: Avoid taking several different supplements
unless under a health care provider’s supervision, instead take one multivitamin
that includes a variety of needed nutrients in one dose. Combining supplements
(such as taking a folic acid supplement along with your multivitamin, etc) can
raise concerns because you run the risk of overdosing on a particular nutrient.
Taking more than 100% the RDA of any nutrient should be avoided during pregnancy
unless under the direction of your health care provider.
If your typical daily diet consists of unprocessed foods, fruits, a colorful
variety of vegetables, whole grains, lentils, and plenty of water, then you will
likely have sufficient vitamins and minerals already in your body. As long as
you are eating a well balanced diet, you need not fear overdosing on nutrients
found naturally in foods (although some studies have shown symptoms of toxicity
after large consumption of animal organs, like liver). However, supplements
(synthetic vitamins and minerals) are a different story. They contain higher
doses in concentrated form, which can be dangerous if taken in improper amounts.
Always let your health care provider know what nutritional supplements you are
taking. Consider taking your supplement bottles with you to your first prenatal
visit.
Synthetic vitamin supplements can be helpful ways of including vital
nutrients in your daily meals. Vitamins and minerals are essential to healthy
development of your baby, as well as your own physical health. Be sure to speak
with your health care provider about nutrition before you conceive if you are
planning to get pregnant in the near future, or as soon as you know you are
pregnant.
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