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What are prenatal vitamins and should I take them?
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Prenatal vitamins are vitamin and mineral supplements that are taken before and during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. These vitamins should supplement a woman’s diet and not be the only source of vitamins and minerals. During pregnancy though, even with a healthy diet, the body can still lack the crucial nutrients it needs. These nutrients are vital in the development of a healthy baby. A typical prenatal vitamin should contain:
- 400 mcg to 800 mcg of folic acid
- 250 mg of calcium
- 30 mg of iron
- 50 mg of vitamin C
- 15 mg of zinc
- 2 mg of copper
- 2 mg of vitamin B-6
- 400 IU of vitamin D
Women who are pregnant need about 30 mg of iron each day. Iron is necessary to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen. The body’s tissues and organs need adequate oxygen to function properly. This is especially important during pregnancy to support the baby’s growth and development and prevent anemia.
Folic acid is another major component of prenatal vitamins. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all women of childbearing age get about 400 mcg of folic acid supplements per day. Folic acid is responsible for helping the body make new cells. Taking enough folic acid during pregnancy is particularly vital since it contributes to the baby’s neural tube growth. The neural tube goes on to become the baby’s developing brain and spinal cord. A lack of folic acid can result in serious brain and spinal cord defects, such as spina bifida. It is recommended that women who are planning a pregnancy begin to take folic acid before they conceive, since the neural tube forms within the first few weeks of pregnancy. Some studies have shown a 70% decrease in the risk of neural tube defects when the mother took folic acid supplements 1 month prior to and throughout the first 3 months of pregnancy.
Additionally, vitamin D and calcium are both important nutrients needed during pregnancy because they help to grow and strengthen the baby’s bones. They are particularly important during the third trimester, when the baby’s bones grow more quickly.
Most women need to take a prenatal vitamin of some sort, but consulting a doctor on which kind to choose is important. Most women need the extra nutrients that are normally found in prenatal vitamins, but some cannot take them due to allergies to vitamins or minerals.
Additional information may be found at these websites:
http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_center/your_pregnancy/preg_health.html#
http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/prenatal-vitamins/
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003645.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/folicacid.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0011832/?report=details