Pregnancy and Pre-natal Vitamins

Pre-natal vitamins are important to the health of a growing baby. They are also important to pregnant mothers because their bodies are going through so many changes.

Our diets today are often deficient in key nutrients found in pre-natal vitamins that help a baby's development in the womb. One deficiency that has been found is the lack of enough folic acid, one of the B vitamins.

Rectifying vitamin deficiency can be done by modifying your diet and by taking pre-natal vitamin supplements. It is easiest for your body to absorb nutrients from foods, but since it can be difficult to take in enough of those key vitamins and minerals during pregnancy, most doctors recommend that you also take pre-natal supplements.

The most important pre-natal vitamin is folic acid, which is the synthetic form of the naturally occurring folate. If folic acid is taken in the first four weeks of pregnancy, it can reduce the risk of the baby having an incomplete spinal column, or neural tube defect by up to 70%.

Because folic acid is most useful very early in the pregnancy, most doctors recommend that women trying to conceive begin supplementing their diet with 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid per day. In fact the U.S. Public Health Service recommends that all women of childbearing age take this supplement as a preventative measure, in the case of an unplanned pregnancy. Many once-daily multi-vitamin supplements include this in their product.

While folic acid is most important in the first trimester, most doctors recommend it throughout the pregnancy. Spinach and chicken liver are great natural sources of folate. Folate is often added to breakfast cereals and breads; this addition will be written on the nutrition label.

Calcium is another critical supplement for your baby for the same reasons that it is important for you; calcium helps the baby develop strong bones and teeth. One of the best sources of calcium is cheddar cheese (real cheese, not the plastic-like "cheese product" made from hydrogenated oil with orange color added). Calcium is also found in yogurt, milk, kale, etc.

In addition to dairy products, calcium citrate is often added to cereals and other non-dairy products like orange juice.

When taking calcium supplements it may be safest to take calcium citrate which is made from citrus fruit.

Small amounts of vitamin D are important for calcium absorption. The good news is that you can absorb this vitamin through exposure to the sun. Most prenatal supplements provide this vitamin.

Iron is important for the baby's development of red blood cells, which deliver oxygen to the baby. Supplementing iron into your diet is mostly important for the mother's health. Insufficient iron might lead to fatigue and anemia. On the other hand, too much iron can hurt both the mother and the baby. Be very careful with iron supplements!

The baby will generally get all of the iron he needs, even if that means leaving the mom anemic. By the end of the pregnancy a mother will have twice as much blood in her body as she did before. Therefore pregnant women may need more iron as non-pregnant women. Another important fact is that coffee and tea can decrease iron absorption.

The best and safest way to get the right amount of iron is to take the balance multi-vitamin and mineral pre-natal supplements that your doctor recommends. You might save money if you ask your doctor which over the counter pre-natal vitamins may contain the same ingredients as prescription versions.

Pre-natal vitamin supplements are even more important for women who have poor nutrition, women who are carrying twins, and women who have a closely spaced pregnancy.

For women that are healthy and eat a balanced diet, pre-natal supplements are still important to insure against the possibility that the women are not getting enough of any given nutrient. Many women who were careful to eat right were still found to be low in folic acid for example.

Vitamin supplements, in particular those with iron, can be tough to swallow for the expecting mother because of the infamous 'morning sickness,' that is far from relegated to the morning hours.

Many women have found that beginning to take pre-natal vitamins a month or more before conception can diminish morning sickness and therefore make taking the pre-natal vitamins during pregnancy an easier pill to swallow. Taking prenatal vitamins when you are not pregnant does not cause any problems. These vitamins are not that different than regular daily multi-vitamins, except that they do not contain any herbs or herbal supplements that could cause problems. Be very careful to avoid most herbal supplements when pregnant. Talk to your doctor.

Note: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate or prevent any disease. All information here is intended for general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and always consult your doctor before starting any new supplement, diet or fitness regimen.

Monica Nelson writes articles that offer helpful information on subjects such as women's health, weightloss, pregnancy symptoms, exercise equipment and affordable health insurance.

---

Morning Sickness Survival Tips

"Just eat a few saltines and you'll be ok".I don't... Read More

Smoking During Pregnancy

If you have been drinking up until the point when... Read More

The Pregnancy Glow and Other Myths of Motherhood

It happened during the ninth month of my first pregnancy.... Read More

Finding Time To Exercise After Pregnancy

If exercise is so obviously the answer to losing weight... Read More

Very Early Signs of Pregnancy - Do You Know the 10 Pregnancy Signs?

Very early signs of pregnancy - are there 10 pregnancy... Read More

Pregnant Mothers and Starbucks

Many mothers are addicted to caffeine and cannot handle going... Read More

Very Early Symptoms of Pregnancy - Do You Know These Very Early Pregnancy Signs?

Very early symptoms of pregnancy -- what are they? If... Read More

Preparing for a Vaginal Birth after Cesarean

WHY LACK OF SUPPORT?Several years ago, ACOG, American College of... Read More

Fetal Development Month by Month

Month 1: Your first month of pregnancy your baby will... Read More

Blimpy: Pregnancy Weight Gain

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that women... Read More

Successful Weight Loss After Pregnancy

How fast you lose weight will depend on a number... Read More

Folic Acid - An Overview of Its Importanace Before and During Pregnancy

FOLIC ACID ? AN OVERVIEWFolic Acid, also know as Vitamin... Read More

How To Avoid Swelling When Pregnant

Edema, otherwise known as swelling, will affect almost all women... Read More

Pregnancy and Tanning Bed - Think Before You Tan

With summer coming near, you would love to put on... Read More

Help I am Pregnant and an Addict

There are a lot of resources on the internet, in... Read More

Why Shouldnt I Smoke During Pregnancy?

There are a lot of good reasons to quit smoking,... Read More

Weight Gain During Pregnancy, and Weight Loss After Pregnancy

How much weight gain is normal during pregnancy, and will... Read More

Things You Should Avoid During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time where you have to be careful... Read More

Calcium and Pregnancy

Studies show that most women do not get enough daily... Read More

Mommy Is Having A Baby!

Preparing for a new arrival from the beginning of your... Read More

Pregnancy Symptoms, Signs and Symptoms of Being Pregnant

EARLY PREGNANCY SYMPTOMSAlthough a lot of women experience pregnancy symptoms,... Read More

Myth or Reality? Dads Have Pregnancy Pains

Ah hah. So you thought that it was just your... Read More

Pregnancy Planner - A Quick Guide

Weeks 1 to 3 are the first weeks of pregnancy.... Read More

Feeling Sexy During Pregnancy

Some people think that the word sexy and pregnancy do... Read More

Stress And Pregnancy

Stress Relief During Pregnancy If you truly want to ensure... Read More

How To Avoid Post Partum Depression

New mothers sometimes experience "postpartum blues." This is understandable. Pregnancy... Read More

The Truth About Labor and Childbirth

Labor and childbirth was an amazing, positive experience for me,... Read More

Pregnant Running: Expectant Runners Share Stories and Advice

When I became pregnant I planned to run throughout my... Read More

Fighting the Pregnancy Blahs

Every pregnant woman has experienced the pregnancy blahs. I can... Read More

Glutathione for a Healthier Pregnancy

All parents-to-be nurture the dream of a healthy pregnancy and... Read More

Womens Health - Pregnancy Nutrition is for All Women of Child Bearing Age

During pregnancy your nutrition needs are going to increase. Even... Read More

Moral Armor on Predational Pregnancy

We constantly hear of crackdowns on "dead-beat dads," but the... Read More

Start Growing Healthy Children Before Getting Pregnant

When I was in my early 20's, I read Adele... Read More