Prenatal and Pregnancy
Taking prenatal before pregnancy is not always possible for some people, but taking them during pregnancy is essential. Prenatal vitamins contain one of the most important nutrients that a new mother needs and that are folic acid or folate. By taking in extra folic acid, you lower your chances of your baby being born with an incomplete spinal column which is known as spina bifida. In order for your baby to be protected, it is imperative that folic acid is taken in the first four weeks of fetal development.
This can be a problem for women who do not take prenatals before they are pregnant. Most of the time, most women do not know they are pregnant until after they missed their period which is about two weeks after conception. This is why if you are of child bearing age, you should make it a habit of taking folic acid even if you are not planning to become pregnant and we all know that not all pregnancies are planned.
You can still get your folic acid in food. Folic acid is added to many breads and pastas and is found in dark green and orange fruits as well as vegetables. Keep in mind though that taking a daily supplement of folic acid offers more protection from spina bifida then eating the same amount of folic acid in food.
While you are pregnant you should aim to take at least 600mcg of folic acid a day. If you have had a baby with a neural tube defect, you will have to take 4000 mcg or 4 milligrams of folic acid every day, starting at least a month before you get pregnant.
Some women report that they can not take their prenatals especially in their first trimester. Women who suffer from morning sickness and food aversions find that they can not eat much food. Taking a prenatal on an empty stomach can leave you feeling sick and queasy which is why so many women in the first trimester do not take them. Another reason some women report upset stomachs is due to the high iron level that some prenatals have. Not only could this cause an upset stomach, this can also lead to constipation which can already be a problem for some pregnant women.
If you find that you can not take your prenatal, talk to your doctor to see if he can give you a prenatal with less iron or give you a folic acid supplement also. The worst thing you could do is not take anything, especially during those first few weeks.
Comments
Menu
My Articles
Eating Well While Dealing With Morning SicknessExercise During Pregnancy
How To Eat For A Healthy Pregnancy
Plus Size And Pregnant
How Eating Well Can Help During Pregnancy
Eating Well For Your Baby
Eating Well Even After Your Pregnancy
Foods To Avoid While Pregnant
Planning Ahead While Pregnant
Gaining Weight Too Fast During Pregnancy
How To Cope With Food Aversions
Gaining Weight Too Slowly During Pregnancy
Prenatal And Pregnancy
Healthy Weight Gain For Pregnancy
Eating Well For You During Your Pregnancy
Peanuts And Pregnancy
Eating To Prevent Heartburn
Eating To Beat Pregnancy Fatigue
Food Cravings During Pregnancy
Eating To Conceive
Eating For Breastfeeding
Pregnancy And Nutrition
How To Avoid Constipation During Pregnancy
The Basics Of Eating Well When Pregnant
My Articles Eating To Beat Pregnancy Fatigue Ask any pregnant woman who is in her first or third trimester how they are.. Eating Well For You During Your Pregnancy Eating healthy throughout your pregnancy is the greatest.. Eating For Breastfeeding In your third trimester, your baby was old enough to.. |
|
|
Related News:
|