In this article we will be discussing a very common question: what are prenatal multivitamins.
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. Eating a healthy diet is always a wise idea — especially during 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
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.
What Are Prenatal Vitamins?
Folic acid is the most important vitamin for pre-pregnancy health. Service All Services Abortion Abortion Referrals Birth Control COVID-19 Vaccine HIV Services LGBTQ Services Men’s Health Care Mental Health Morning-After Pill (Emergency Contraception) Pregnancy Testing & Services Primary Care STD Testing, Treatment & Vaccines Women’s Health Care Filter By All Telehealth In-person Search
What Are Prenatal Vitamins?
Prenatal vitamins are supplements that contain daily vitamins and minerals you need before and during your pregnancy. Folic acid is the most important vitamin to take when planning a pregnancy. Folic acid is a B vitamin that cells in your body need for growing and developing.
Some women, like those who have had a pregnancy affected by NTDs or with sickle cell disease, may need more folic acid. 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?
Start taking folic acid at least 1 month before you start trying to get pregnant.
Keep taking prenatal vitamins throughout your entire pregnancy.
Do Prenatal Vitamins Have Side Effects?
A lot of people wonder about about prenatal vitamins side effects. Some people get nauseated or constipated from taking prenatal vitamins. If this happens to you, talk with your doctor about changing brands or the types of vitamins you’re taking.