Prenatal Vitamins…DO You Really Need Them?
Prenatal vitamins have become very popular among some women because it is believed that they help prevent birth defects. It is probably a good idea to supplement with prenatal vitamins because during pregnancy, both the mother and the child have increased needs for certain nutrients like folic acid and iron during this time and prenatal vitamins will prove helpful. Women who are pregnant often find that their doctors prescribe a prenatal vitamin. However, evidence has emerged that even for those women that are planning to conceive can benefit from prenatal vitamins. Prenatal vitamins could prevent potential nutritional deficiencies during this crucial time.
The majority of prenatal vitamins on the market are designed to compensate for nutritional shortcomings. They generally contain supplements like folic acid, iron, zinc, calcium etc. These nutrients go a long way in preventing defects such as the risk of serious defects of the brain and spinal cord. Yet these supplements need to be combined with a good overall diet.
IMPORTANT NUTRIENTS FOR MOTHER AND CHILD:
DHA
DHA is a fatty acid and is necessary for a baby’s brain development. It is needed by the child from the very earliest stages of pregnancy throughout the time of breastfeeding. DHA belongs to the omega -3 family of fatty acids and is essential, especially in pregnancy.
IRON
Iron is an important mineral, and most prenatal will have 30 to 40 mg. If a woman is anemic, she should talk to her health care provider about whether she will need more. Additionally, a natural practioner may recommend a different type of iron supplement. During the third trimester of pregnancy, the baby will use a tremendous amount of iron, which comes from the mother’s stored levels.
FOLIC ACID
Folic acid, as many women already know, is absolutely crucial for a healthy pregnancy. Folic acid reduces the risk of birth defects that can occur in babies. Interestingly it is found in several of the foods that we eat. It is found in dark leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, whole grain, etc.
Folic acid has been proven crucial for a baby’s neural tube development, especially during the first trimester when women are most likely to suffer from nausea and vomiting. In fact, some recommend women should start taking about 400 micrograms of folate at least a month before they start trying to conceive.
CALCIUM
Calcium is certainly important in the development of a new baby. Calcium, 400 mg/day, and magnesium, 300 mg/day, help protect the mother’s bones and can help prevent pre-eclampsia. Chromium, 200 mg/day, helps control the mother’s blood sugar, and look for the following B vitamins: B12, 120 mg/day; B6, 20 mg/day, and B5, also known as pantothenic acid, 20 mg/day. CALCIUM - A supplement that contains 2-300 mg calcium is just a start toward reaching the recommended 1200 mg daily. However, anything beyond 250 mg of calcium (or 25 mg of magnesium) should not be taken at the same time as supplemental iron since both calcium and magnesium interfere with the absorption of the iron.
With regard to prenatal vitamins, they are not all created equal. Most of them try and pack as much as possible into their vitamins, but they must be careful not to promote excess of what may amount to be toxic levels of fat soluble vitamins…for instance Vitamin A instead of beta-carotene, vitamin A’s precursor. The best prenatal needs to provide what mother and child needs, at just the right amounts, as well as avoiding amounts that avoid toxicity.