Prenatal vitamins: Why they matter, how to chooseWonder if you need to take prenatal vitamins? Which brand is best? Or what to do if they make you queasy? Get answers to these questions and more.By Mayo Clinic Staff A healthy diet is the best way to get the vitamins and minerals you need — but even if you eat a healthy diet, you might fall short on key nutrients. If you're pregnant or hoping to conceive, prenatal vitamins can help fill any gaps. Prenatal vitamins typically contain more folic acid and iron than do standard adult multivitamins. In addition, some research suggests that prenatal vitamins decrease the risk of having a baby who is small for his or her gestational age. Not all prenatal vitamins include omega-3 fatty acids, which might help promote a baby's brain development. If you don't eat fish or other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, your health care provider might recommend omega-3 fatty acid supplements in addition to prenatal vitamins. Calcium and vitamin D are important as well — especially during the third trimester, when your baby's bones are rapidly growing and strengthening.
Prenatal vitamins are available over-the-counter in nearly any pharmacy. Your health care provider might recommend a specific brand of prenatal vitamins or leave the choice up to you. Generally, look for a prenatal vitamin that contains: It also might be beneficial to look for a prenatal vitamin that contains vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, zinc, iodine and copper. Remember, prenatal vitamins are a complement to a healthy diet — not a substitute for good nutrition. Prenatal vitamins won't necessarily meet 100 percent of your vitamin and mineral needs. In addition, your health care provider might suggest higher doses of certain nutrients depending on the circumstances. For example, if you've given birth to a baby who has a neural tube defect, your health care provider might recommend a separate supplement containing a higher dose of folic acid — such as 4 milligrams (4,000 micrograms) — before and during any subsequent pregnancies. Gillen-Goldstein J, et al. Nutrition in pregnancy.
Accessed March 24, 2015. Hochberg L, et al. Folic acid supplementation in pregnancy. Smith JA, et al. Treatment and outcome of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Haider BA, et al. Effect of multiple micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy on maternal and birth outcomes. Oken E. Fish consumption during pregnancy. Mulligan ML, et al. Implications of vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy and lactation. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Zeratsky K (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 9, 2015. Duerbeck NM, et al. Prenatal vitamins: What is in a bottle? Obstetrical and Gynecological Survey. Vitamin supplementation in pregnancy. Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin. Lowensohn RI, et al. Current concepts of maternal nutrition. Whether you are hoping to conceive or are currently pregnant, prenatal vitamins are a must. Even the healthiest of women can benefit from a prenatal vitamin, as during pregnancy, women need more of specific nutrients that they may not be getting from their daily diet.
Though these prenatal vitamins are essential to both the baby’s and mom’s health, one look at the vitamin isle might be enough to make you panic. With hundreds of different brands, types and ingredients, choosing a prenatal vitamin can be tough, which is why we did the hard work for you! Below are the best prenatal vitamins on the market. While a traditional multivitamin does contain the same essential nutrients that most prenatal vitamins do, what they don’t contain is the proper amount. Pregnant women or women who are looking to conceive need to increase their intake of certain nutrients, which prenatal vitamins take into account. When looking for a prenatal vitamin, be sure that it includes 100% of your need for: Folic Acid – Also known as B-9, folic acid is necessary for a healthy baby. This vitamin is essential in protecting the neural tube, which turns into the spinal cord and brain as the fetus develops. Consuming enough folic acid ensures that the baby will be free of any birth defects.
Aim for roughly 800 to 1,000 mg of folic acid each day. Iron – It isn’t uncommon for a woman to be anemic prior to pregnancy. Many women have admitted to not getting enough iron in their daily diet, however once you conceive it is essential to fulfill your daily needs as well as your baby’s. Iron helps the body to transport oxygen and also helps prevent a low birth weight in your baby. Taking a multivitamin with added iron will also ensure that you will not become anemic during pregnancy, which is very common. Aim for at least 25 mg of iron a day. Calcium – Calcium helps your body to remain strong during pregnancy, however it is also needed to help build your baby’s bones and teeth as well as develop a healthy heart and promote blood clotting. If you are not getting enough calcium daily, then the body will begin to take calcium from your own bones to give to your baby, which can lead to brittle bones and many other unhealthy side effects. Ensure that you are getting at least 1300 mg of calcium a day for not only your baby’s health but also your own.
Vitamin D – Vitamin D is needed in order for the body to absorb calcium, which makes it just as essential. Eating and drinking foods that contain vitamin D is a lot easier now that most are fortified with the vitamin, however if your prenatal vitamin contains it then it is one less worry off your plate. DHA – DHA is important for brain and vision development of your baby. Though you can get plenty of DHA from foods such as leafy greens, flaxseeds, chia seeds, berries and hemp seeds, most prenatal vitamins also contain the 200 mg daily amount that is suggested by doctors. Garden of Life’s prenatal vitamins are a top of the line vitamin that are completely vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free. Made from all natural ingredients that come from fruits and vegetables, Garden of Life Vitamin Code contains folate instead of folic acid, which is a more digestible form of vitamin B-9. Unlike other prenatal vitamins that can leave you feeling queasy, Garden of Life Vitamin Code is easy on the stomach.
These vitamins can also be blended into a smoothie as well if you have issues swallowing pills, though reviewers have stated that these pills are much easier to swallow than others. The downside to these pills is their lack of calcium, so you may need to supplement with extra calcium if you are finding that you aren’t consuming enough in your diet as well. It is also important to note that this prenatal vitamin does not contain DHA and will need to be supplemented. and has 1,641 reviews and comments. The Nature Made Prenatal Vitamin is a one-a-day soft gel that combines both a multivitamin with 150 mg of DHA, or omega-3 fish oil. Nature Made is a very popular and common name brand that most women feel comfortable with and can also be found at almost any store. Though these pills only need to be taken once a day, women have commented that they can be difficult to swallow due to size. Due to the inclusion of fish oil these prenatal vitamins also have a slight smell to them that can be nauseating, so be sure to always take these vitamins on a full stomach to help combat any side effects.
and have 1,105 comments and reviews. The One A Day vitamin brand is very common and extremely popular amongst reviewers. In fact, once pregnant, this will most likely be the brand of prenatal vitamin that your doctor suggests you buy. The packaging of the One A Day Women’s Prenatal vitamins can be confusing at first. This vitamin comes with another package of vitamins which are DHA supplements, which means you are getting 60 vitamins each, or 120 total. Some women have commented that they felt mislead by the packaging to think that there were 120 prenatal vitamins, which there are not. The One A Day Women’s Prenatal only needs to be taken once a day, however with the DHA being a separate pill you will need to remember to take one of daily. and has 338 comments and reviews. Prenatal vitamins are essential to the health of the mother as well as the baby. Even the healthiest of women should be taking prenatal vitamins when trying to conceive or when pregnant, and the above list is a good place to start.