Everything You Need To Know About Prenatal Vitamins

In addition to getting your essential vitamins and minerals from a balanced diet, while you go through the pregnancy process you may tend to lack certain nutrients.

Prenatal vitamins consist of vitamins required by your body to prepare for pregnancy, during the pregnancy and after. They provide the vital nutrients required for the growth of a healthy baby.

If you still have questions about prenatal vitamins, the advice is often conflicting. That’s why I compiled this list of frequently asked questions to help you out.

Q: Are prenatal vitamins necessary?

A: Yes! Folic acid and iron are required in higher amounts during pregnancy as;

Folic acid helps prevent defects in the neural tube- these defects are usually abnormalities in the fetal brain and spinal cord. Therefore, taking folic acid 2-3 months before pregnancy would be ideal.

Iron is needed for the development of the fetus and placenta. In order to supply oxygen to the fetus through blood, iron is essential. It is also ideal to prevent anemia (blood with a lower number of red blood cells).

Q: Ingredients you should look for?

A: Besides folic acid and iron you should be looking for prenatal vitamins that contain calcium, vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin B, zinc and iodine.

Q: Other additional nutrients you should look for?

A: Omega-3 fatty acids usually found naturally in fish helps promote the development of a baby’s brain. You may want to additionally take a supplement if your consumption of fish or other food with omega-3 is low.

Q: When should I start taking prenatal vitamins?

A: It is advised to start before conception, there’s also no harm in taking prenatal vitamins if you’re at a reproductive age.

Q: Which is the best prenatal vitamin?

A: It really does depend on your body’s requirements as you may require a higher dose of a certain nutrient as opposed to the other therefore it is best to consult your healthcare provider beforehand. Too much of vitamins may also pose a threat as extra amounts of certain vitamins such as vitamin A may cause harm to your baby.

For an overall general recommendation, Secrets of tea introduces their Prenatal + DHA 60-day supplement specially priced at $19.97 USD with the inclusion of; Fish oils (DHA 130mg/ EPA30mg), Folic acid, Calcium, Thiamine, Cholecalciferol, Niacin, Potassium, Vitamin E, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, Magnesium, Zinc. 

You wouldn’t need to take any additional supplements as it contains all the necessary ingredients to prepare your body for pregnancy and for the growth of your baby.

Q: How can you purchase Prenatal vitamins?

A: Prenatal vitamins can be purchased over-the-counter from a pharmacy or you may even purchase it online as you need not require a prescription unless your healthcare provider has recommended a specific brand.

Q: Are there any side effects from taking Prenatal vitamins?

A: The most commonly known side effect is constipation due to the iron included in prenatal vitamins.

Q: Can you prevent the side effects?

A: Drinking adequate amounts of fluids usually helps with constipation. Consuming more foods with fiber or including physical activity as instructed by your healthcare provider is beneficial too.

At last, prenatal vitamins are an overall healthy choice for you and your baby. They do play a part in preventing potential abnormalities in your baby’s growth. The side effects are considerably minute compared to the various benefits they offer so there is no harm in adding these vitamins to your routine.