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Take Your Vitamins

By Leslie Pepper
2010-06-16 15:44:39

Prenatal vitamins have many benefits for you and your baby.

Sure you’re eating right, but it’s still a good idea to take a prenatal vitamin. “A prenatal vitamin is a good insurance policy for all pregnant women,” says Lauren Slatyon, nutritionist at Foodtrainers in New York City. And women with certain health conditions or dietary restrictions – such as vegetarians, those who have food intolerances, and women pregnant with multiples – should definitely take a prenatal vitamin supplement.

In particular, look for a prenatal vitamin supplement with at least 800 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid, and a B vitamin that can help prevent neural tube defects (NTD). According to the March of Dimes, up to 70 percent of NTDs could be prevented if all women consumed the recommended amount of folic acid before and during early pregnancy.

Extra iron is also crucial: When you’re pregnant your blood volume doubles, so iron stores can get thin. You also need plenty of calcium to make sure you don’t lose bone density, as your baby uses this for his or her bone growth. A prenatal vitamin supplement can provide you with the additional calcium (1,000 mg), iron, and folic acid your body requires during pregnancy. Some prenatal vitamins, however, don’t have enough calcium, so speak to your doctor about whether you will need a separate one.

Another key ingredient now found in some prenatal vitamins is DHA, one of the Omega-3 fatty acids. Found in fish, DHA is crucial for your baby's brain development, and it may reduce postpartum depression in new mothers. A recent Harvard University study, however, found an increased risk of preterm delivery for women who had high levels of mercury from eating fish. Consuming vitamins with DHA is one good way to get more Omega-3 without worrying about mercury. Some experts suggest supplementing prenatal vitamins with 250 to 500 mg of DHA.

When choosing a prenatal vitamin, look for the USP on the label, which ensures the prenatal vitamin meets the standards of the US Pharmacopeia for content, quality, purity and safety.

 

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