Why prenatal vitamins matter

Prenatal vitamins contain crucial vitamins and minerals for babies’ development and health. They also benefit pregnant women before, during and post pregnancy and can be found at most pharmacies and grocery stores.

“We don’t recommend a specific type or brand, but we tell patients what they should contain and to pick a vitamin that is a trusted, reliable brand. There is a lot of marketing around these, so don’t spend a fortune,” said Dr. April Adams, assistant professor of maternal fetal medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. “You can also get these nutrients from your diet, so think about what you’re eating and how you can adjust your diet to maximize getting these nutrients from food in addition to your prenatal vitamin.”

Nutrients

Folic acid: Folic acid supplementation decreases the risk of defects like neural tube defects or spina bifida. People should start taking 400 micrograms of folic acid daily at least three months prior to conception and throughout pregnancy, which can be obtained through a prenatal vitamin. Those who had a prior child with spina bifida or are on certain medications may need higher doses of folic acid. Many foods also are fortified with folic acid.

Iron: Iron deficiency and anemia are common and exacerbated in pregnancy. Additionally, iron is important for the growing fetus and to maintain adequate blood stores for pregnant women as they prepare for delivery. This is commonly found in meat and poultry.

“The caveat: gummy formulas do not generally have iron, so if you take a gummy vitamin, look to see if it has iron and, if not, you may need a separate iron supplement,” Adams said.

Vitamin D: People often are deficient in vitamin D, which is important for body functions and fetal growth and development. Vitamin D supplementation is recommended for pregnancy. Dietary sources include egg yolks, fortified dairy products and cereals. People also produce vitamin D after UV exposure.

Calcium: Calcium is crucial for building bones and maintaining bone strength when pregnant. It is found in dairy products, and some foods are fortified with calcium, such as orange juice and breakfast cereal.

Iodine: Iodine deficiency can lead to thyroid dysfunction in adults and is important for fetal thyroid development. This can be found in seafood, dairy products, eggs and iodized table salt.

Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids are necessary for brain health for the fetus. Fish, especially fattier fish, provide omega-3s. Foods fortified with omega 3-s also include fatty acids such as eggs and flaxseed oil.

“We generally recommend a prenatal vitamin so pregnant women are not deficient in these nutrients but pay attention to how much you’re taking. Most people don’t need more than one prenatal vitamin tablet a day, and you do not want to overdo it with some vitamins. Some vitamins are water soluble, so they are excreted in urine, and they do not build up in your body. But some are not and are fat soluble and accumulate in your body and can be toxic, like vitamin A. If you’re eating the nutrients, you’re also getting vitamins and minerals from the foods you eat, so that counts as part of that supplementation,” Adams said.

“The food you eat is very important but you also have to consider how much time you can commit to changing your diet and if those dietary changes are feasible. Prenatal vitamins offer a simple form of supplementation if we cannot get complete supplementation from our diet,” Adams said.

When to take prenatal vitamins

Individuals should start taking prenatal vitamins at least three months prior to conception. People who get pregnant before taking prenatal vitamins should start supplementation upon learning that they are pregnant.

Prenatal vitamins ensure optimal maternal and fetal health. They prevent severe birth defects (like spina bifida), support fetal brain growth and protect the mother from nutrient depletion, anemia and bone density loss during both pregnancy and the postpartum/breastfeeding period.

“Pregnancy can cause nutrient depletion, and prenatal vitamins can help with recovery in the postpartum period,” Adams said. “Continue the prenatal vitamin after delivery and continue to work on optimizing your health and nutrition as well, because those remain important for your entire life.”

By Homa Warren