How to Choose a Prenatal Vitamin

We all know its important exercise and eat a healthy, balanced diet all your life, but it doubly important when you’re eating for two, yourself and your baby. To ensure a healthy pregnancy for both mother and baby, it is essential you find the right prenatal vitamins to supplement your healthy lifestyle. Both before and during pregnancy, Vitamin C, folic acid, calcium and iron are essential to a baby’s growth. Following the steps below will hopefully help you choose the right prenatal vitamin for you.

1. It’s important to discuss with your doctor what nutrients you need in a prenatal vitamin. Make sure you discuss any family history of birth defects as this kind of information may affect the type of vitamin he or she recommends. Your nutritional needs and those of your baby may be differing during pregnancy. Take your time and choose the proper prenatal vitamin for you.

2. Take time to research vitamins and minerals that are especially important for women during pregnancy and be aware of their benefits. Most obstetricians recommend an increased intake of folic acid, vitamins A and D, calcium to help prevent bone density loss, and iron to aid in oxygen production in the blood of both mother and baby. A rercnt study in Canada concluded that all pregnant women should take 4,000 international units of vitamin D daily. The study found that women in its 4,000-IU-a-day group had half the risk of premature delivery than women who took just 400 IU of vitamin D daily. On the other hand, remember, that more isn’t always better. In a recent study of over 20,000 pregnant women, those who took supplements with more than 10,000 IU a day of pre-formed vitamin A were almost five times more likely to give birth to a baby with a birth defect than women who consumed 5,000 IU or less.

3. Make sure to shop around for your prenatal vitamins or supplements at several different Pharmacies, Health and Nutritional Stores. This will give you the best understanding of the different kinds of vitamins or supplements available to you and what is contained in each of them.

4. Take note of the mineral and vitamin content of each supplement and look for proper levels of the minerals that are really important to mom and baby. In general, it is recommended that pregnant women take in 4000 IU of vitamin D;30 mg of iron; 4,000 IU of vitamin A; 300 mg of calcium and between 800 and 1,000 mcg of folic acid daily. Folic acid is especially known for reducing the chances of having a baby with birth defects, namely spina bifida. Most of the over the counter prenatal vitamins you find these days will contain at least that much of each of the aforementioned vitamins and minerals in addition to other vitamins for a healthy and happy mom and baby.

5. Be sure to consult your obstetrician or pharmacist for any potential side effects or interactions between medications you are currently taking and ingredients in your prenatal vitamin or supplements. Ask your local pharmacist all the questions you have about prenatal vitamins or supplements and any prescription or over-the-counter medications you are currently taking. Pharmacists should be able to provide you with information about side effects and interactions that any of these medications may have with prenatal vitamins you are purchasing.

6. You should be making sure you are eating plenty of protein, iron-containing leafy greens and vegetables, and calcium-rich dairy products. Prenatal vitamins are only meant to supplement a already healthy diet. Don’t forget to take your prenatal vitamin daily.

7. Always stop taking your prenatal vitamin and consult with your obstetrician if you experience complications, side effects, or changes in your health. Constipation, a result of the high iron content, is common in women taking prenatal vitamins. Manufactures of prenatal vitamins have developed many dosage forms to meet the tolerances and needs of expecting mothers. Never begin a health, diet, or vitamin regimen of any kind without consulting your primary care physician first.

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