Prenatal vitamins means
What Are Prenatal Vitamins? | Which to Take Before Pregnancy
In This Section
- Pre-Pregnancy Health and Planning
- Should I change my lifestyle when I am planning a pregnancy?
- What are prenatal vitamins?
Prenatal vitamins are made for people who are pregnant or are trying to get pregnant. Folic acid is the most important vitamin for pre-pregnancy health.
What are prenatal vitamins?
Prenatal vitamins are supplements that contain daily vitamins and minerals you need before and during your pregnancy.
Folic acid is the most important vitamin to take when planning a pregnancy. Folic acid is a B vitamin that cells in your body need for growing and developing. Taking 400 mcg of folic acid every day for at least 1 month before and during pregnancy can help lower the risk for problems with the baby’s brain and spine — called neural tube defects (NTDs). Some women, like those who have had a pregnancy affected by NTDs or with sickle cell disease, may need more folic acid. Talk to your doctor or nurse about the dose that is right for you.
Most nutrients should come from the foods you eat, but it’s also a good idea to take prenatal vitamins. Your nurse, doctor, or midwife can recommend the best vitamins for you, on top of folic acid.
When do I need to start taking prenatal vitamins?
Start taking folic acid at least 1 month before you start trying to get pregnant. The first few weeks of pregnancy are a really important time for fetal health and development. Taking folic acid and other prenatal vitamins can help reduce the risk of some birth defects. Keep taking prenatal vitamins throughout your entire pregnancy.
Do prenatal vitamins have side effects?
A lot of people wonder about about prenatal vitamins side effects. Some people get nauseated or constipated from taking prenatal vitamins. If this happens to you, talk with your doctor about changing brands or the types of vitamins you’re taking.
Prenatal vitamins come in tablets or capsules, so finding the kind that works best with your body can help ease side effects. Your doctor or midwife can help you find a prenatal vitamin that will work best for your body.
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Pregnancy and prenatal vitamins
Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors
In this Article
- What Are Prenatal Vitamins?
- What to Look for in Prenatal Vitamins
- Folic Acid, Calcium, Iodine, and Iron
- What About Other Nutrients?
- When to Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins
- Prenatal Vitamin Side Effects
What Are Prenatal Vitamins?
Prenatal vitamins are supplements made for pregnant women to give their bodies the vitamins and minerals needed for a healthy pregnancy. Your doctor may suggest that you take them when you begin to plan for pregnancy, as well as while you’re pregnant.
Eating a healthy diet is always a wise idea -- especially during pregnancy. It's also a good idea to take a prenatal vitamin to help cover any nutritional gaps in your diet.
What to Look for in Prenatal Vitamins
Prenatal vitamins help ensure that you get the nutrients you need for a healthy pregnancy.
Look for prenatal vitamins that have:
- 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid
- 400 IU of vitamin D
- 200 to 300 milligrams (mg) of calcium
- 70 mg of vitamin C
- 3 mg of thiamine
- 2 mg of riboflavin
- 20 mg of niacin
- 6 mcg of vitamin B12
- 10 mg of vitamin E
- 15 mg of zinc
- 17 mg of iron
- 150 micrograms of iodine
In some cases, your doctor will give you a prescription for a certain type of prenatal vitamin.
Folic Acid, Calcium, Iodine, and Iron
Folic acid
If getting pregnant is a possibility for you, you should take folic acid. It can prevent birth defects that affect the baby’s brain and spinal cord. Neural tube defects develop early in pregnancy, before many women know they’re pregnant; half of all pregnancies are unplanned. This is why doctors recommend that any woman who could get pregnant take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid daily, starting before conception and continuing for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
If you’ve had a baby with a neural tube defect you should talk with your health care provider about folic acid. Studies have shown that taking a larger dose (up to 4,000 micrograms) at least one month before and during the first trimester may help if you’ve had a baby with this defect. But talk to your doctor about what’s right for you.
Foods that have folic acid include:
- Green leafy vegetables
- Nuts
- Beans
- Citrus fruits
- Many other foods fortified with folic acid
Even though you can get folic acid from food, it's a good idea to take a supplement as a backup.
Calcium
Calcium is also important for a pregnant woman. It can help prevent you from losing your bone density as the baby uses calcium for its own bone growth.
Iodine
Iodine is critical for a woman’s healthy thyroid function during pregnancy. Iodine deficiency can cause:
- Miscarriage
- Stillbirth
- Stunted physical growth
- Severe mental disability
- Deafness
Iron
Iron helps your body make more blood red cells. These blood cells carry oxygen to the baby that it needs to develop.
What About Other Nutrients?
There are other nutrients that may improve the health of your pregnancy. Your doctor can help you decide if you need to take supplements that include:
Omega-3 fatty acids: These fats, which include DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), come only from food sources such as fatty fish and nuts. Studies show omega-3s can lower your risk of preterm birth and of having a baby with low birth weight. If you don’t eat much food that’s rich in omega-3s, ask your health care provider if a supplement is right for you.
Choline: Although your body can make some choline on its own, you get most of it from food. Rich sources include beef, pork, chicken, fish, and eggs. Many pregnant women don’t get enough choline, which the baby needs for healthy brain growth.
When to Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins
The best time to start taking prenatal vitamins is before conception. Folic acid is especially important. You should begin taking a folic acid supplement at least 1 month before you try to get pregnant to prevent birth defects.
Some doctors recommend that all women who could have a baby take prenatal vitamins, even if they don’t plan a pregnancy.
Prenatal Vitamin Side Effects
Some prenatal vitamins can cause nausea in an already nauseated pregnant woman. If that happens to you, talk to your health care provider. They may be able to prescribe a different kind of prenatal vitamin that you don’t have to swallow whole. Options include:
- Chewables
- Liquids
The iron in prenatal vitamins may also make you constipated. If you’re constipated it can help to:
- Eat a high-fiber diet
- Drink lots of water
- Exercise if your doctor says it’s safe for you
- Take a stool softener with your doctor’s OK
Health & Pregnancy Guide
- Getting Pregnant
- First Trimester
- Second Trimester
- Third Trimester
- Labor and Delivery
- Pregnancy Complications
- All Guide Topics
Vitamins and pregnancy - articles from the specialists of the clinic "Mother and Child"
Kurbatskaya Olga Nikolaevna
Obstetrician-gynecologist
Lapino-1 Clinical Hospital "Mother and Child"
One of the most common questions that pregnant women ask their doctor is what vitamins should I take during pregnancy? Let's say right away whether expectant mothers need to drink pharmaceutical vitamins or not - there is no unequivocal answer to this question. Some doctors believe that the necessary nutrients should be obtained from natural products. Others are in favor of taking pharmaceutical multivitamins. It can only be said unequivocally that vitamins and microelements must necessarily enter the body of a pregnant woman. We will tell you which of them are most important for the expectant mother. nine0010
Folic acid
Other names for this vitamin are vitamin B 9 or B with . This vitamin is necessary for cell division and reproduction, so it is especially important in the first trimester of pregnancy, when all organs and systems of the child are being laid. Folic acid plays an important role in the synthesis of hemoglobin, and with its deficiency, anemia can develop. And folic acid also helps to reduce the likelihood of spinal defects in a child, takes care of the correct formation of his psyche and intellect. It is better to start taking folic acid three months before the planned conception, since a small supply of this vitamin will only be useful for both the expectant mother and the baby. If the pregnancy has come unplanned, then folic acid must be taken as soon as the woman finds out about her situation. On average, the dosage of this vitamin is from 0.4 to 0.8 mg per day. nine0003
Calcium
An expectant mother needs about 1200–1400 mg of calcium daily, while an ordinary woman needs 800–1000 mg of this trace element. Why? During pregnancy, the amount of calcium in the body of the expectant mother is significantly reduced, since it is also spent on the growth and development of the child. Especially a lot of calcium is needed in the third trimester, when the baby's skeleton is calcified. But calcium is needed not only for the growth of bones and teeth of a child - with its help, his nervous system, his heart, muscles, skin tissues, eyes, ears, hair and nails are formed. A pregnant woman needs calcium for the full functioning of the kidneys, the prevention of muscle pain, constipation, osteoporosis, caries and toxicosis. In addition, this trace element protects the expectant mother from stress and nervous overload. nine0003
Vitamin E
This vitamin is involved in the process of tissue respiration, it helps oxygen to penetrate into every cell of the body. At the same time, vitamin E is an excellent antioxidant: it protects cells from the formation of free radicals that can provoke various diseases. This protective function is especially important at the stage of embryo formation. In addition, vitamin E helps to normalize the hormonal balance of the body. In the early stages, it participates in the formation of the placenta, and also protects against abortion. The dose of vitamin E during pregnancy is 15 mg. nine0003
Vitamin E is found in vegetable oils, not less than this vitamin in lettuce, tomatoes, rose hips, parsley, spinach and peas. Some vitamin E is found in meat, eggs and milk.
Magnesium
Magnesium is involved in all metabolic processes, helps to cope with stress, normalizes the functioning of the cardiovascular system and blood pressure, and keeps blood vessels in good shape. Due to a lack of magnesium in the body, cramps in the muscles (usually in the calves) may appear. And since the uterus is also a muscular organ, with a lack of magnesium during pregnancy during gestation, the excitability of the myometrium increases, which leads to active uterine contractions. Therefore, with hypertension and the threat of abortion, magnesium is often prescribed. nine0003
Magnesium is rich in whole grains and whole grain breads, figs, almonds, seeds, dark green vegetables, and bananas.
iodine
Iodine is usually prescribed for pregnant women in the first trimester. Up to 16 weeks of pregnancy, the development of the child and the laying of all its organs and systems are "under the protection" of the mother's thyroid gland. And if a woman has little iodine, then this means that some system or organ of the baby may suffer. And even when the child’s own thyroid gland is formed and starts working, she can still take iodine only from the mother’s body. Its daily dose is 250 mg per day. nine0003
Iodine is easiest to get from seafood and sea or iodized salt. A lot of iodine is found in sea fish, seaweed, squid, persimmon, feijoa, dates, dried figs, dairy products and meat. However, iodine is destroyed by temperature effects, which means that after heat treatment, the amount of iodine in the products decreases sharply.
Iron
Iron is necessary primarily for the prevention of anemia. After all, it is part of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen throughout the body of the mother and child. In addition, iron is involved in protein synthesis, which is involved in the formation of muscle tissue. And iron deficiency can lead to increased uterine tone. The average daily dosage of iron is 30–60 mg. In some cases, if the woman's iron supply was initially reduced, the dosage may be higher. nine0003
Iron is found in meat, especially a lot of it in veal, turkey, hare, pork and beef. There is iron in plant foods, but from there it is absorbed much worse. Iron is best absorbed when taken together with vitamin C.
If a pregnant woman eats properly and varied, eats a lot of fruits and vegetables, then she may not need an additional complex of vitamins for pregnant women. It may be necessary to drink some vitamins separately, but this should be determined by the doctor. If, before pregnancy, a woman had signs of vitamin deficiency, she eats incorrectly or poorly, then multivitamins cannot be dispensed with. nine0010
Inset
Vitamin B 9 (folic acid) is found in animal liver, spinach, asparagus, lentils, Brussels sprouts, beans and wholemeal flour. However, it is absorbed very poorly from food, no more than 50%. That is why it is prescribed to almost all pregnant women.
At one time, our body will not be able to absorb more than 500 mg of calcium. Therefore, you should not try to get the entire daily norm of this trace element in one meal. Try to eat foods containing calcium in small portions several times a day. nine0003
To increase the concentration of magnesium in tissues, vitamin B 6 (pyridoxine) is needed, which facilitates its absorption and acts as a conductor of magnesium into the cell. Therefore, magnesium and vitamin B 6 are often prescribed together.
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Why do pregnant women need vitamins?
The body of the expectant mother now needs additional building material for the formation of the fetus - proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. According to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, the need for individual vitamins and trace elements increases to 185%. For example, the need for folic acid increases by 50%, vitamin B1 - by 85%, iron - by 60%. Therefore, at the first visit to the antenatal clinic, she may be prescribed an additional intake of vitamins in order to prevent a shortage of valuable microelements obtained from food. nine0003
Nature takes care of the unborn baby already when it is just being formed in the mother's tummy. Useful substances, first of all, go to the fetus, and the body of a pregnant woman is content with what is left, or even shares its own reserves. Often, pregnant women have problems with their teeth, immunity decreases, and anemia occurs. At the same time, there is no guarantee that the baby will receive the necessary nutrients from the mother's body in sufficient quantities. In such a situation, there may be a risk of fetal developmental disorders, miscarriage or premature birth. According to statistics, about 1 out of 33 newborns have congenital malformations. nine0003
Food is a natural source of vitamins and other valuable substances, but it is problematic to get enough trace elements from food alone. Then a woman would have to consume huge amounts of quality food every day: 2 kg of cabbage, 0.5 kg of walnuts, 5 avocados, 10 oranges ... And at the same time fully absorb folic acid! It is worth considering that the content of vitamins in products is negatively affected by heat treatment, long-term storage, violations of growing or production technology, and many other factors. Obviously, even with a complete and balanced diet, a standard diet often cannot meet the growing needs of a woman and fetus during pregnancy, so it is advisable to use vitamins for expectant mothers. nine0003
The most important component of Elevit Pronatal is folic acid (vitamin B9). Unlike most other vitamin-mineral complexes for pregnant women (1), it contains the optimal dose of folic acid - 800 mcg (2). Elevit Ponatal has been clinically proven to help protect against the development of congenital malformations in the fetus (3). Elevit provides protective red blood cell folate levels 2 times faster (in 4 weeks of supplementation) than multivitamins containing 400 mcg of folic acid (4). A study showed that taking Elevit regularly during pregnancy was associated with a 58% reduction in the risk of developing heart defects (5). The drug differs from most analogues in the high content of iron, folic acid and vitamin D - the most important micronutrients that ensure the healthy formation and development of the fetus. Elevit Pronatal helps the proper development of the fetus, the normal course of pregnancy, provides mother and child with the necessary vitamins and minerals. nine0003
(1) As of August 2017, Elevit Pronatal contains a dosage of folic acid exceeding 400 mcg in combination with iron and vitamin D, despite the fact that 75% of the market for vitamins for pregnant women (MPs and dietary supplements) does not have this property.
(2) Czeizel AE, Dudás I, Vereczkey A, Bánhidy F. Folate deficiency and folic acid supplementation: the prevention of neural-tube defects and congenital heart defects. Nutrients. 2013 Nov 21;5(11):4760-75
(3) Czeizel A.