
“Some doctors may also recommend continuing to take the prenatal vitamin while you breastfeed to account for increased maternal nutrient needs during lactation.” “If you haven’t started taking a prenatal vitamin by the time you find out you’re pregnant, don’t freak out - just start taking it,” adds Cording. This is ideal because the very first things to develop in that first month are the neural tube, which includes the brain and the spinal cord. A lot of important fetal development occurs very early, before many women even know they’re pregnant,” says Cording. “The best time to start taking a prenatal vitamin is before you conceive. Now, you may be wondering when the best time is to start taking prenatal vitamins. In combination with the other supplements mentioned above, these vitamins can be absorbed into the body and greatly aid in a healthy baby and mother. To keep the mother’s immune system in good fighting condition, prenatal vitamins are often loaded with Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Vitamin E, as well as zinc and copper, to help support the stressed immunity. “For example, there are algae-based DHA supplements available.” “If you’re vegan or allergic to fish, talk to your doctor about other ways to meet your DHA/Omega-3 fatty acid needs during pregnancy,” says our resident expert Jessica Cording, a registered dietitian and health coach. However, you may not need a high dosage in your vitamins if you are very conscious of your diet and include things such as fish, flaxseeds, Brussels sprouts and avocados frequently.

They are usually found in prenatal vitamins for easiest consumption. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements are the suggested nutrient to achieve good brain health.

Healthy brain development in the baby during pregnancy is an important factor to remember when choosing a prenatal vitamin. Keeping fevers at a safe temperature with doctor prescribed methods will help to keep baby safe. Fevers have been shown to cause tooth bud decay among other dangers to baby. In addition to taking those prenatal vitamins religiously, it’s important to maintain any fevers that you contract. These two are especially important those last few months because that is when the baby’s bones and teeth are growing at an accelerated pace. However, if you do not address anemia when pregnant, it can affect the baby’s iron levels as well and leave them anemic.įor the third trimester specifically, you will want to be conscientious of the calcium and vitamin D in your prenatal vitamins. Anemia is not uncommon in pregnancy and will show up in the initial blood draw in pregnancy most of the time. Anemia is when the blood is deficient of red blood cells, and when there is an increase of iron intake, the red blood cells become sturdier. This is key in preventing anemia in both the baby and the mother.

This is a supplement you’ll find in most prenatal vitamins today.Īnother common supplement in prenatal vitamins is iron. Medical research has shown that neural tube defects in a baby, including brain and spinal cord defects, can be prevented by increasing folic acid intake during pregnancy. Perhaps one of the most important ingredients in modern prenatal vitamins is folic acid.

Let’s investigate what makes a prenatal vitamin the best. There are a few key vitamins and supplements that can be found in the best prenatal vitamins. More than sustenance, prenatal vitamins have been proven to prevent some abnormalities in thriving babies and aid in a healthy birth weight. Pregnancy can be tough on your body, and in addition, there are quite a few nutrients that a growing baby needs to sustain itself in the womb. Trying to conceive or perhaps you have already been blessed with a growing baby inside? Now is the time to consider taking a prenatal vitamin for healthy growth and development of baby and yourself.
