are prenatal vitamins necessary
Are Prenatal Vitamins Necessary in Pregnancy? Most women think that prenatal vitamins are a must during pregnancy, and for the most part, they're right. Most of us do not get enough of the vitamins and minerals that are so important to our bodies. That's why a good prenatal vitamin supplement is often recommended. However, the controversy grows about whether prenatal vitamins should be used. Prenatal supplements don’t guarantee a healthy child, but they are useful for filling in small gaps in your diet. For example, women who skip or skimp on animal products benefit from the vitamin B12, iron, zinc, and vitamin D in prenatal supplements. Prenatal vitamins consist of a variety of vitamins and minerals that help your baby get the nutrients that are essential for healthy development. During pregnancy, a woman’s daily intake requirements for certain nutrients, such as folic acid (folate), calcium, and iron will increase. Vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, and folic acid are vital for proper fetal growth, development, and healthy adult living. She stands by the folic acid recommendation– folic acid taken around conception and in early pregnancy can reduce the chances of neural tube defects in babies. My mother was skeptical of the burgeoning vitamin culture of the 1970s. She wasn’t buying it. My siblings and I had a healthy diet at home. I have a confession to make: I didn’t take my prenatal vitamins. I took folic acid before and around conception. And tried to keep up in the first trimester; but the iron supplements made me constipated and miserable. Early into the second trimester I stopped all together. I’ve long known that I was bucking a trend; prenatals are standard issue for the newly pregnant. For months it seems like all you’re told to do, is “take your vitamins.” Prenatal vitamins include lots of good things but the biggies are: iron, folate, and calcium. Prenatal supplements also contain calcium, which is important for maintaining bone mineral density. During pregnancy, your baby needs calcium for bone growth, and that’s when you often experience a loss of bone mineral density. Taking prenatal supplements could help reduce this loss. What’s more, these supplements also contain many other essential minerals like iodine, iron, niacin, zinc, vitamin D, vitamin C, riboflavin and vitamin B12 (2). Iodine is essential for regulating thyroid function. Nutrients & Vitamins For Pregnancy. From these you should get the right nutrients and vitamins for pregnancy health and your baby’s development. The right vitamin supplements can be beneficial if you are not able to prepare healthy meals regularly. It is important to note that pregnant women should only take vitamin supplements on a health care provider’s direct recommendation. Supplements do not replace a healthy diet, but rather ensure that a woman is receiving enough daily nutrients. Vitamin supplements work best when taken as part of a healthy diet. 1 Folic acid - This B vitamin is particularly important before conception and during the first trimester. Folic acid may reduce the risk of neural tube defects, including spina bifida, anencephaly and encephalocele.  Calcium - This nutrient helps your developing baby form strong bones and teeth. Consider taking your supplement bottles with you to your first prenatal visit. Prenatal vitamins can be helpful ways of including vital nutrients in your daily meals. Vitamins and minerals are essential to healthy development of your baby, as well as your own physical health. Simply put, prenatal vitamins are vitamin and mineral supplements that are taken before, during and after pregnancy to help the mother meet her and her baby’s nutritional requirements. It is important to note that prenatal vitamins are not a replacement for a healthy diet, but just supplements. Prenatal vitamin supplements are similar to other vitamin and mineral supplements available in the market. However, they differ slightly, in terms of the composition of the minerals.
Yes