What Are Prenatal Vitamins?
Prenatal vitamins are made for people who are pregnant or are trying to get pregnant. Find a Health Center A right arrow in a circle We couldn’t access your location, please search for a location. Please fill out this field.
Folic acid is a B vitamin that cells in your body need for growing and developing. Taking 400 mcg of folic acid every day for at least 1 month before and during pregnancy can help lower the risk for problems with the baby’s brain and spine — called neural tube defects (NTDs). Some women, like those who have had a pregnancy affected by NTDs or with sickle cell disease, may need more folic acid.
Talk to your doctor or nurse about the dose that is right for you. Most nutrients should come from the foods you eat, but it’s also a good idea to take prenatal vitamins. Your nurse, doctor, or midwife can recommend the best vitamins for you, on top of folic acid.
When Do I Need To Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins?
The first few weeks of pregnancy are a really important time for fetal health and development. Taking folic acid and other prenatal vitamins can help reduce the risk of some birth defects.
Do Prenatal Vitamins Have Side Effects?
Some people get nauseated or constipated from taking prenatal vitamins.
What Are Prenatal Vitamins?
Your doctor may suggest that you take them when you begin to plan for pregnancy, as well as while you’re pregnant. It’s also a good idea to take a prenatal vitamin to help cover any nutritional gaps in your diet.
What To Look For In Prenatal Vitamins
Look for prenatal vitamins that have: 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid
400 IU of vitamin D
200 to 300 milligrams (mg) of calcium
70 mg of vitamin C
3 mg of thiamine
2 mg of riboflavin
20 mg of niacin
6 mcg of vitamin B12
10 mg of vitamin E
15 mg of zinc
17 mg of iron
150 micrograms of iodine In some cases, your doctor will give you a prescription for a certain type of prenatal vitamin.