Once your pregnancy test comes back positive, it's time to start thinking
about choosing a prenatal vitamin. Your doctor can recommend a vitamin
or you can purchase prenatal vitamins from an over-the-counter source.
Since the Food and Drug Administration doesn't regulate vitamins and
other dietary supplements, you may hear conflicting opinions on the best
prenatal vitamins for your needs.
Generally, the best prenatal vitamins contain many of the same nutrients
as a standard multivitamin, with additional dosages of the nutrients
that are most important during pregnancy. While many women don't begin
taking a prenatal vitamin until they are already pregnant, there's no
harm in taking prenatal vitamins on a regular basis if you're trying
to conceive.
Folic acid helps prevent birth defects and is an important component
of the best prenatal vitamins. Folic acid helps reduce the risk of spina
bifida and other neural tube defects by up to 70 percent.
Iron is also commonly found in the best prenatal vitamins. During pregnancy,
your body needs more iron to help make the additional blood necessary
to support the fetus.
Many prenatal vitamins contain extra calcium to promote strong bones
for you and your child. However, the amount of calcium in your prenatal
vitamin won't meet the recommended daily requirement. If you won't be
getting enough calcium from regular consumption of dairy products, ask
your doctor about taking a separate calcium supplement.
In addition to the standard prenatal vitamins, there are also special
prenatal vitamins available for women with specific dietary needs. Vegetarians,
vegans, and lactose-intolerant women often have different nutritional
requirements during pregnancy than women on less restrictive diets. Smokers,
women carrying multiples, or women with chronic health conditions may
also need special prenatal vitamins.
Prenatal vitamins make sure you're getting enough of the nutrients your
body needs during pregnancy. However, even the best prenatal vitamins
can't take the place of a balanced diet. To ensure the health of your
unborn child, you need to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains,
and lean protein. |
