Maintaining a healthy diet is the most effective way to receive the necessary minerals, nutrients, and vitamins. However, when a woman is planning to conceive or is pregnant, it is important to incorporate prenatal vitamins into her daily regimen as the recommendations for vitamins and minerals increases. Prenatal vitamins are supplements that enhance the chances of creating and maintaining a healthy environment for fetal development. They are often found over-the-counter or prescribed by a healthcare provider.
Prenatal vitamins provide pregnant women with nutrients for the healthy development of the fetus.
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Which prenatal vitamins should you take?
There are many options for prenatal vitamins on the market, but the most popular are Nature Valley’s Prenatal Multivitamin with Folic Acid, Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and Choline and One A Day Prenatal Advanced Complete Multivitamin with Brain Support. Many women preferred prenatal gummies due to taste or ease of consumption. However, it is important to note that most prenatal gummies lack certain essential nutrients such as iron and calcium. Extra iron and calcium supplements may be needed to meet the recommended daily intake.
Content of prenatal vitamins
Some of the most essential minerals and prenatal vitamins are folic acid, DHA, and choline. Folic acid is vital in the early stages of pregnancy as it can decrease the risk of neural tube defects. DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid that may reduce pre-term birth. Choline assists with a fetus’s brain and spinal cord development. Aside from these, the most optimal prenatal vitamins on the market include vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, calcium, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and zinc.
Side Effects
The most common side effect of daily prenatal vitamins is constipation, more specifically from iron. Because pregnant women are experiencing hormonal changes, there is an increased chance of becoming constipated, and iron typically found in prenatal vitamins also contributes to this. Hydration, increased fiber intake, exercise, and contacting a medical provider to find alternatives are the best solutions to avoiding or preventing constipation.
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