›› Prenatal Vitamins
The importance of
prenatal vitamins for pregnant women has been a hot topic for quite
some time. Women are now encouraged to take them before getting
pregnant to prevent birth defects, as well as throughout the pregnancy
and breastfeeding to ensure a healthy baby. Prenatal vitamins are a
supplement to the diet and should not be substituted for healthy food
choices. There are many over the counter prenatal vitamins available in
addition to those prescribed by a physician. Absorption rates can vary
between over the counter brands, or there may be too much or too little
of an essential vitamin or mineral. The prenatal vitamins prescribed by
physicians are usually of better quality and have greater absorption
rates. All types of insurance plans cover most prenatal vitamins so
that they are affordable and accessible to women.
At the first prenatal visit, prenatal vitamins should be prescribed if
the woman has not already started taking them. There are many different
vitamins available and the health care provider can recommend which
prenatal vitamins are appropriate. Side effects such as nausea are
common, and can be alleviated by taking with food, and not on an empty
stomach. If the vitamin can still not be tolerated, the physician can
prescribe another in its place. It is an important part of prenatal
care a woman should adhere to on a consistent basis, an easy step to
help prevent nutritional deficiencies and neural tube defects, such as
spina bifida and anencephaly. In a recent study, the March of Dimes
found that only two-thirds of women aged 18-45 were getting an adequate
amount of folic acid during pregnancy. There is not enough folic acid
in fortified foods, making it difficult for pregnant women to get
sufficient folic acid from their diets alone. The average prenatal
vitamin contains the recommended 400 mcg of folic acid, and when taken
daily is the easiest step toward preventing neural tube
defects.
Additional calcium is important as well. According to established
nutritional guidelines, the average woman requires 1200 mg per day, and
when pregnant, this amount increases to 1500 mg per day. The amount of
calcium in a daily prenatal vitamin is not sufficient, which is why the
diet must be supplemented with other forms, such as milk, cheese,
yogurt, and green leafy vegetables to name a few. Folic acid is another
important nutrient during pregnancy, and is most often contained in the
prenatal vitamin in a sufficient dose. Of course, if there is a history
of folic acid deficiency, a higher dose would be required. Too much
vitamin A can also be detrimental, which is why the use of prenatal
vitamins and diet should be discussed with the prenatal health care
provider.
If a woman is considering pregnancy, she should consult her
obstetrician or midwife to discuss diet, general health, stress, and
others factors to be considered. Prenatal vitamins are an important
part of a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby, and should not be left
out of the discussion. The importance of taking a daily prenatal
vitamin cannot be stressed enough; it’s your baby's future.
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A Healthy Dose of Good Advice
