are prenatal vitamins good for getting pregnant
By taking 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid a day for at least one month before you conceive and during your first trimester, you can cut your chances of having a baby with neural-tube defects such as spina bifida by 50 to 70 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). You may be tempted to take prenatal vitamins because of unproven claims that they promote thicker hair and stronger nails. However, if you're not pregnant and not planning to become pregnant, high levels of certain nutrients over a long period of time may actually be more harmful than helpful. Folic acid. IN THIS ARTICLE. 1  1. Schedule a preconception visit. 2  2. Consider genetic carrier screening. 3  3. Take folic acid (and watch out for vitamin 4  A) 4. Give up binge drinking, smoking, and drugs – and get help if you need 5  it. 5. Stock your fridge with healthy foods.  6. Check your caffeine 1  intake. 7. Aim for a healthy weight. Learn why you need folic acid when you're pregnant, how much folic acid you need in your pregnancy diet, food sources, and when... Age and fertility: Getting pregnant in your 20s. Learn the physiological, emotional, social, and financial aspects of having a baby in your 20s. These vitamins are specially designed to target the needs of mommies-to-be, so if you're not pregnant or trying to get pregnant, you could be missing out on nutrients you need or taking too much of ones you don't need that could make you sick. For example, prenatal vitamins have much more iron than normal women need. Taking too much of it can lead to constipation, vomiting, and nausea, says Dr. Wider. Some also don't have enough calcium for the average woman, so relying just on prenatal vitamins could be detrimental to your health. Your doctor may recommend a few options for what kind of prenatal you’ll need. If you have pregnancy complications or other health concerns, your doctor might recommend a prescription prenatal. Otherwise, over-the-counter vitamins are available at the pharmacy. Plus, prenatal vitamins are high in folic acid (it helps brain development in fetuses), but having too much folic acid can mask the symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency, which can lead to rapid heart rate, easy bruising, tingling feelings in your toes, and memory loss. One a Day Women’s Prenatal Vitamin. With this option, you’ll get 100 percent of the daily recommended value of folic acid. You’ll also get omega-3 DHA and iron. This liquid gel and multivitamin tablet duo supports both mom and baby before, during, and after pregnancy. Taking a daily prenatal vitamin during pregnancy is essential. It’s one of the easiest ways to do something positive for your growing baby. Even if you’re eating a healthy diet, you may be missing important nutrients. A prenatal vitamin will fill in those gaps. Pregnant adult women and healthy men and women ages 19 to 50 all need 1,000 mg a day. Men and women age 51 and older need 1,000 mg a day and 1,200 mg a day, respectively. Because prenatal vitamins are intended to supplement calcium you get in your diet, they generally contain only 200 to 300 mg of calcium.
Yes, if you have pregnancy complications or other health concerns, your doctor might recommend a prescription prenatal.