Prenatal Vitamin Supplements

If all women had a perfect diet, there would be no need for prenatal vitamins. Although they are no guarantee of a healthy pregnancy, prenatal vitamins can prevent a number of birth defects and prevent deficiencies in both mother and baby.

Author:
A Aaronson

Virtually every pregnant woman is prescribed a daily prenatal vitamin. Doctors know that it is possible for a woman to cover all of her nutritional needs with a balanced diet but they also know that no woman has the perfect diet.

Perhaps your diet would be sufficient if you never ate on the run, never felt too sick to eat, you knew you were only pregnant with only one child, or if you lived in laboratory where all your food was specific caloric needs were calculated and your food was weighed and measured to the exact amount.

However, your doctors are realistic and prefer to take the safe route by suggesting all expecting women take supplements.

So what is in a prenatal supplement? There are no standards set for what ought to be in the pill, but look for a supplement with the following ingredients:

Vitamin A (no more than 4,000 IU) – This factor is essential for cell growth for you and your baby, healthy skin, bones, and eyes.

Folic Acid (400-600 mcg) – Taking folic acid supplements can help reduce the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

Calcium (250 mcg) – Calcium is necessary for you’re the development of your baby’s bones, muscle, heart, and nerve development, as well as for blood clotting and enzyme activity.

Iron (30 mg) – Iron is essential for the developing blood supply of the fetus and for increasing your own blood supply.

Vitamin C (80 mg) – Your baby needs this compound for tissue repair, metabolic processes, proper growth and development of strong bones and teeth.

Zinc (15 mg)

Copper (2 mg)

Vitamin B6 (2 mg) – Sometimes extra B6 and antihistamines are prescribed to treat nausea from morning sickness.

Vitamin D (no more than 400 IU) – It helps body use Calcium and Phosphorus. It also promotes healthy teeth and bones.

Vitamin E (15 mg) – It helps the body form and use red blood cells and muscles.

Thiamin (1.4 mg) – It raises energy levels which can be very helpful during pregnancy and it regulates the nervous system.

Riboflavin (1.4 mg) – It maintains energy, and promotes good vision and healthy skin.

Niacin (18 mg) – It promotes healthy skin, nerves and digestion.

Vitamin B12 (2.6 mg)

The prenatal supplement prescribed by your doctor should cover your nutritional bases, but over the counter pills are cheaper and generally follow a similar formula. So if insurance doesn’t cover one, you’ll still be safe with an over-the-counter pill.

Of course supplements do not replace a healthy diet. Nutrients are best utilized when they come from fresh foods. Also food comes packed with calories, protein, fiber, and water all of which you and your baby need during your pregnancy and can’t get from a pill.

Also, as in all cases, be careful not to overdose. Taking too much of any vitamin can be toxic and can harm both you and your baby. So be sure to follow the doctor’s orders and take only one pill each day.

Make them an essential part of your pregnancy regimen.

About Author

Prenatal vitamins can prevent a number of birth defects and take care of deficiencies in both mother and baby. If your insurance doesn’t cover women health supplements, look for an over-the-counter pill at http://www.goodelements.com

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