However, we will share with you as much information as possibly can about this subject so that you no longer have any questions left un-answered by the end of this article.
What Are Prenatal Vitamins?
The vitamin aisle at your local pharmacy contains a huge assortment of vitamins for different genders and ages. Prenatal vitamins are specifically geared toward women thinking about becoming pregnant or who are pregnant. The concept behind prenatal vitamins is that some of a women’s nutritional and vitamin needs increase with pregnancy.
A baby especially needs certain nutrients to develop. It’s important to remember that prenatal vitamins are a supplement to a healthy diet for expectant moms. Calcium is important for all women because it keeps their bones strong.
Taking in enough folic acid is linked with reducing neural tube defects like spina bifida. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant women (and those trying to get pregnant) take in 600 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day from all sources. Foods that have folic acid (also known as folate) include beans, leafy green vegetables, asparagus, and broccoli.
Many fortified foods including cereal, bread, and pasta have folate too. Because a woman increases her blood volume during pregnancy, iron is a must-have. According to the Mayo Clinic, pregnant women need 27 mg of iron a day.
This is 8 mg more than women who aren’t pregnant. Prenatal vitamins often contain other vitamins and minerals. These could include: omega-3 fatty acids
copper
zinc
vitamin E
vitamin A
vitamin C.
When Should I Take Prenatal Vitamins?
Even if you aren’t trying to get pregnant, you still might want to take a folic acid supplement. That’s because half of the pregnancies in the United States aren’t planned. Because the brain and spinal cord are already forming at the early stages of pregnancy, folic acid is vital.
Can I Take Prenatal Vitamins If I Don’T Want To Get Pregnant?
But they aren’t really intended for women (or men) who aren’t expecting or lactating. Excess iron can be a problem, too. Again, it’s better if you get these nutrients through your diet instead of a pill.
But according to the Mayo Clinic, these claims haven’t been proven. Taking prenatal vitamins for better hair or nails likely won’t bring the desired results.
How Your Hair Changes During Pregnancy
A woman’s body is constantly growing and changing throughout her pregnancy—even her hair can undergo a noticeable transformation.
Let us explain: During pregnancy, estrogen increases—higher estrogen levels boost blood flow which helps nourish the baby—causing hair to stay in the growth phase longer, resulting in less hair loss and breakage. Progesterone levels also rise, giving way to increased sebum. Between the increased blood flow (also good for stimulating hair growth) and a prolonged growth phase and more scalp oils—all genetically determined—it’s no wonder women are singing the praises of their prenatal vitamins.
Okay, But What If I’M Actively Avoiding Pregnancy?
Well, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that all women of reproductive age should aim to get 400 micrograms of folic acid every day — whether that’s from food or a supplement. After all, the unintended pregnancy rate is almost 50 percent, Dr. Tache notes, which means about half of women who have babies weren’t, well, planning to. But that doesn’t mean you need to get your folate in the form of a prenatal vitamin.
If you’re eating a well-rounded diet and not pregnant or trying, you’re likely to be getting those 400 micrograms through diet alone, says Dr. Tache. In fact, if a baby is not in your future, taking a prenatal carries some health risks. While you don’t *really* have to worry about overdoing it with folic acid (you don’t absorb all of the folic acid in the prenatal anyway), prenatals are also high in iron (which pregnant women need more of).
And, although rare, accumulating too much iron can become toxic, notes Dr. Tache. It can also come with some unpleasant side-effects like stomach pain, a lack of energy, or weight loss and weakness. In a prenatal, you’d also be getting extra calcium, which — if you’re not pregnant — could increase your risk of issues such as kidney stones, Dr. Tache notes.
“I would say the answer is probably ‘yes.’”.