Prenatal Vitamins: What You Need to Know and What to Expect

 The topic of prenatal vitamins has been around for ages, but it's only in the last few years that people have started to take these vitamins more seriously. Prenatal vitamins contain specific nutrients your baby needs before and during birth. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to stock up on them if you’re not pregnant at the moment. 


What Are Prenatal Vitamins?

Prenatal vitamins contain nutrients necessary for the health and development of your baby in the womb and at birth. To be more specific, prenatal vitamins help your baby develop healthy teeth and bones and increase muscle strength and brain capacity. Prenatal vitamins are taken either in the first trimester or the second and third trimesters. There are 3 types of prenatal vitamins: 1) iron-containing prenatal vitamins, 2) folic acid-containing prenatal vitamins and 3) multivitamins. The iron-containing prenatal vitamins are the most common and are taken by nearly 90% of pregnant women. Multivitamins are recommended for women who don’t have high blood pressure or diabetes and who don’t have any allergies to specific ingredients.


Which Prenatal Vitamins Should You Take?

Your doctor will help you decide which prenatal vitamins are best for you. However, if you’re curious about what the research says, here are a few things to remember. 

  • Iron-containing prenatal vitamins: These are the most commonly prescribed prenatal vitamins

  • Low-dose folic acid: This is a newer prenatal vitamin that many doctors are now recommending. Folic acid prevents neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly, but it also prevents some other common birth defects such as the cleft palate and heart disease. 

  • Multivitamins: If you don’t have any allergies to specific ingredients, you can choose a multivitamin.


Conclusion

Prenatal vitamins are a good thing to take before and during pregnancy. They can help your baby develop properly and have fewer health problems as a result. Moreover, they’re relatively safe to take, and there’s little risk of any side effects. However, if you don’t have any health problems, you don’t have to take them. Prenatal vitamins are not necessary for every woman. Some women don’t have any health issues or even experience any negative changes. However, for those who do, prenatal vitamins can be a lifesaver. If you’re pregnant and considering taking prenatal vitamins, be sure you understand what you’re getting yourself into.

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