Pregnancy brings about a new set of demands on a woman's body. Her body has to support the growth and development of the fetus and should also be strong enough to fight foreign invaders and germs in both bodies. To sustain this increase in demand, she will need more nutrition and vitamins than before. This is where prenatal vitamins become a crucial part of pregnancy nutrition.
Prenatal vitamins are supplements a pregnant woman requires before and during her pregnancy. She requires more vitamins and minerals during her pregnancy, and it is not feasible to meet these demands through her diet alone. Not receiving these essential vitamins and minerals can also affect fetal development and the mother's health.
Prenatal vitamins come in various forms and different combinations. Different doctors may prescribe different dosages of prenatal vitamins depending on the pregnancy, the mother’s health, medical history, etc. Prenatal vitamins aim to provide the mother with sufficient nutrients to support the healthy development of the baby.
Folic acid is one of the most essential vitamins a pregnant woman requires right from the time she starts planning her pregnancy. A folic acid deficiency can lead to neural tube defects and affect the fetal brain and spine development.
In most cases, once a woman decides to start trying to conceive, her doctor will suggest she start taking folic acid supplements. However, only some consult a doctor or plan so much in advance. In such pregnancies, the woman will start taking folic acid supplements only after confirming pregnancy. There is nothing wrong with this either; hence, there is nothing to worry about.
The next most important prenatal vitamin is iron. Iron is essential for forming red blood cells, which carry oxygen to various body parts. A pregnant woman cannot have an iron deficiency, as it will not only affect the oxygen and blood supply to the baby but can also make her anaemic. Anaemia in pregnancy is a serious complication.
As mentioned above, iron and folic acid are the most common prenatal vitamins doctors prescribe during pregnancy. Other commonly prescribed prenatal vitamins include:
Multi-vitamin tablets contain all the above and some more essential minerals and vitamins in limited quantities.
Prenatal vitamins contain essential nutrients to support a healthy pregnancy. So, one should take them just before or right from the beginning of pregnancy. All doctors will prescribe them once they confirm pregnancy. Ensure you take the best prenatal vitamins as prescribed, and do not skip any of them.
Prenatal vitamins for women are nothing but vitamin and mineral supplements. They only add nutrition to your body and will not harm it. However, a sudden increase in a vitamin or mineral in your body may cause some mild side effects.
A sudden increase in iron intake can be difficult for your body to digest. You may experience constipation due to excess iron in your blood. Constipation is also one of the common side effects of pregnancy, caused due to the changing hormonal balance. When you take iron supplements, keep the following in mind
Some possible side effects of folic acid are:
Though prenatal vitamins are highly recommended before and during pregnancy, one should avoid them in the following cases:
It is important to let your doctor know about all the medications you are currently taking and if you have reactions to any of them. This can help them prescribe the right prenatal vitamins or avoid them completely.
Prenatal vitamins are essential for modern medicine and pregnancy. Missing these prenatal vitamins may cause deficiencies or affect the baby's development. It can also increase the risks of various complications as the pregnancy progresses. However, there is no guarantee that such complications will arise if you miss prenatal vitamins.
When you miss taking your prenatal vitamins despite the doctor’s recommendations, it increases the risk of developing complications or health issues during or after the pregnancy - for both the mother and the baby.
Prenatal vitamins provide the extra vitamins and minerals the body requires to support the development of a new life. A lack of these essential nutrients can affect the quality of development or the baby's health. If you are not convinced about prenatal vitamins, have a detailed discussion with a reputed doctor instead of skipping them on your own. Not following a doctor’s recommendations or self-medicating is not a risk worth taking during pregnancy.
