When Should I Start Taking A Prenatal Vitamin?
The best time to begin taking prenatal vitamins is before you conceive. The folate in a prenatal vitamin taken before conception significantly reduces the chances of neural tube irregularities like spina bifida. A baby’s neural tube, which will develop into both the brain and spinal cord, develops during the first month of pregnancy.
That could happen before you even realize you’re pregnant. If you aren’t already taking a daily prenatal vitamin, start taking one as soon as you find out you’re expecting. Your doctor might also recommend you continue to take prenatal vitamins after delivery, especially if you decide to breastfeed.
We chose these because they contain the essentials that you need while pregnant, and they’re highly rated in online reviews. Pricing guide Most of these vitamins are packaged to contain 30 servings — about a month’s worth. We based the price ratings on the approximate monthly cost for each product: $ = under $30
= under $30 $$ = $30–$40
= $30–$40 $$$ = over $.
What Are Prenatal Vitamins?
Prenatal vitamins are supplements made for pregnant women to give their bodies the vitamins and minerals needed for a healthy pregnancy. 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
Prenatal vitamins help ensure that you get the nutrients you need for a healthy pregnancy.
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.
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From what you should eat and drink, to what to expect from pregnancy and birth, or what products to buy and what to run from – chances are there is a lot of well-meaning but overwhelming advice coming your way. Below, we’ve listed the supplements pregnant women should be taking during pregnancy and why.
Folic acid/folate
Folic acid, or folate, prevents the risk of your baby being born with a neural tube defect, like spina bifida. What to take: folic acid/folate tablets which contain at least 400 micrograms, every day, from 12 weeks before conception to the end of the first trimester (first 12 weeks, or three months, of pregnancy). Consult with your doctor.
Iodine
Iodine is essential for your baby’s brain development and nervous system. Women should take iodine supplements, and eat iodine rich foods like seafood, iodine fortified bread and iodised table salt, throughout pregnancy and while breastfeeding. What to take: iodine supplements which contain 150 micrograms, every day, from 3 months before and throughout pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
Talk to your doctor about checking your iron levels, and eat plenty of iron rich foods while you are pregnant. Foods with vitamin C will help your body absorb iron. Try to eat a varied diet of nutritious foods from all five food groups – find more tips about healthy eating during pregnancy in our blogs ‘Is it true I can eat for two during pregnancy?’.