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Not All Prenatal Vitamins Are Created Equal
Author: Stef Daniel
You know they are good for you, and you know you have to take them! Prenatal vitamins are power packed with all the vitamins and minerals that you will need for a healthy pregnancy and help to protect every organ and function of your own body. But not all vitamins are created equal.
The CDC recommends that EVERY women of childbearing age take a prenatal vitamin to reduce their risks of becoming pregnant and delivering a baby with birth defects. Folate or Folic Acid is the all-important nutrient that very few people consume enough of through their regular diet. Before conception and during pregnancy you should get at least 800 mg of Folic Acid daily. Unfortunately, by the time most women know they are pregnant the usefulness of folic acid has long since passed. If you are thinking about having a baby – then find a high quality prenatal vitamin and make sure you take it every day. Even if you don’t become pregnant, they are full of everything you need to make the most of your body. If you are trying to conceive, look at the ingredients and make sure that your prenatal vitamin contains zinc, which can help aide in fertility.
Often, your doctor will give you a prescription for a prenatal vitamin. Still, you can find many at your local pharmacy that are just as good as or better than your prescription brands. Make sure that you compare the amounts of nutrients side by side to make sure you are choosing one that gives you the most. Also, realize that many women are anemic and iron is important; however, you should talk to your doctor before consuming too much iron during pregnancy.
Many women find that prenatal vitamins make them sick. If this is you, you might want to try experimenting with a few brands. You can also take them at night before bed so that you won’t feel nauseous all day as the supplements release into your blood stream. Some brands come with two daily pills, dividing the hefty doses of vitamins so that they are easier on your system.
Make sure that you avoid any prenatal vitamins that have herbal blends, especially those of raspberry tea, black cohosh, or blue cohosh, as they can cause uterine contractions and miscarriage in early pregnancy. It is best to avoid any herbal vitamins and remedies altogether as you prepare for pregnancy because you never really know how they will affect you.
Prenatal vitamins can have some side effects. Some women get headaches, increased headaches, diarrhea, and even abdominal pain. Look for vitamins that do not have added ingredients to solidify the vitamins and minerals and that are not in a capsule form. Some of those contain toxins that you do not want to put in your body while you are preparing for pregnancy. There are also some excellent benefits to prenatal vitamins that go beyond just giving your baby the best chance in your life. Your hair and nails will flourish. You will see significant changes in your skin, and you will likely have lots of extra energy (which you can use to try for that baby). Never under estimate the power of good prenatal care, and remember that caring for your body before you conceive is extremely important and beneficial to you and your unborn child.
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