When you and your partner start planning to have a baby, this is the moment where you also have to start thinking about prenatal care, especially when it comes to your body. Prenatal vitamins are a crucial part of the self-care process, so in this article, we have listed essential facts and information which will help you see prenatal vitamins’ importance.
Prenatal vitamins not only help mothers take care of their health, but they also support the baby’s development and overall pregnancy.
Prenatal care is a crucial part of pregnancy, and high-quality care ensures that the delivery is successful without any complications or issues. Also, by engaging in prenatal care, the future mother can have an active role in the healthy development of their infant by taking care of themselves. This is where the question of what is the role of prenatal vitamins gets answered.
ACE OBGYN LLC, like many other clinics, does prenatal care services for new moms. As part of the prenatal program, this clinic provides high-quality service, guidance, and support to all patients who choose this experienced team. If you need a trustworthy healthcare team who will take care of you and guide you through your prenatal period, give ACE OBGYN LLC a call!
When to Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins?
As mentioned in the beginning, the right time to start taking prenatal vitamins is as soon as you and your partner decide you want to conceive. These vitamins should be taken daily, and it is advised to start taking them minimally one month before you get pregnant. It is crucial to emphasize that taking them for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy is of the utmost importance because this period is when the baby’s development is in its most critical phase.
Specialists advise mothers to take prenatal vitamins throughout the whole pregnancy and afterward while they are breastfeeding. This means that as long as the mother gets her daily intake of minerals and vitamins, the baby will, too – whether during the pregnancy or afterward through breastfeeding.
So, to get a final answer to the question of when to start taking prenatal vitamins, it is essential to discuss it with your chosen medical provider. They will consider your medical history, diet, lifestyle, blood tests, etc., and decide which vitamins would suit you best, as well as how long you should take them.
What Is the Role of Prenatal Vitamins?
Prenatal vitamins are something that can be considered a perfect solution to cater to all the body’s needs when it comes to vitamin and mineral intake during the day if we are speaking about pregnant women. They consist of a variety of different nutrients, such as:
- Folic acid
- Calcium
- Vitamin B12
- Riboflavin
- Vitamin D
- Iodine
- Vitamin C
- Thiamine
- Niacin
- Vitamin E
- Iron
- Zinc
All of these are contained in prenatal vitamins in different dosages, and all of the vitamins mentioned above and minerals have a different role in protecting the pregnancy and the baby. For example, folic acid helps prevent potential congenital disabilities in the baby’s brain and spinal cord. Calcium prevents loss of bone density in the mother, while iodine helps keep the thyroid’s function optimally in the mother’s body during pregnancy.
Iodine is also crucial when it comes to preventing miscarriages, stillbirths, mental disabilities, deafness, and slow physical growth of the infant. When it comes to iron helps with the production of red blood cells in the body, which carry oxygen to the baby.
When talking about nutrients such as omega-3 acids, choline, etc., here are some benefits they bring:
- Lowering the risk of preterm birth
- Lowering the risk of low birth weight in the child
- Increase healthy brain growth
- Support to placenta development
- Reduce the risk of development of preeclampsia
The prenatal vitamins’ importance for mothers-to-be is exceptionally high, so they must pay special attention during prenatal care when it comes to the daily intake of sufficient nutrients for their body and for the baby.
In some cases, these vitamins help pregnant women with their nausea and sickness, which are very common side effects of pregnancy. Most women dread this part of being pregnant, so this can be another reason why prenatal vitamins are great for new mothers and why you should take them regularly.
People often ask what the difference is between prenatal vitamins and standard multivitamins offered to consumers if there is one. There certainly is a difference because prenatal vitamins contain specific dosages of certain nutrients, such as folic acid and iron, which are crucial in a child’s healthy development.
Also, pregnant individuals have higher needs for certain nutrients, such as iron; where pregnant women need 27 mg of iron per day, while persons who are not pregnant do not need more than 18 mg daily. Prenatal vitamins contain higher dosages of all these nutrients, increasing the amount taken daily and matching the mother’s needs.
While prenatal vitamins are crucial, and it is essential to take them, let’s not forget that a healthy, nutrient-rich diet is critical. The new mothers need to have a well-balanced diet daily to ensure that all the required nutrients are taken from food so that the vitamins serve only as an addition.
Side Effects of Prenatal Vitamins
Certain types of prenatal vitamins tend to cause side effects such as nausea. Nausea is a general occurrence concerning pregnancy, and if it begins happening to you, it is essential to contact your chosen doctor. There are different forms of prenatal vitamins that do not include pills, such as chewable or liquids, so consult your doctor.
Constipation is another side effect that is possible, and this occurs due to the iron content in the vitamins you are taking. To mitigate this side effect, you can start eating more fiber, drinking more water or unsweetened tea, start doing more exercises (with the permission of your chosen doctor) and maybe even start taking a stool softener, which is, of course, approved by your doctor.
Bloating and gassiness are also common side effects due to omega-3 fatty acids or DHA in fish oils, so some women feel irritated by this, and their body reacts.
Some other known side effects include:
- Allergic reactions
- Itchy skin
- Dry skin
- Bruising
Usually, side effects from prenatal vitamins are not that common, and they last for a short period. If your side effects become severe and they persist after changing the brand of the vitamins, then you might want to visit your doctor.
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Guidance and support are crucial when it comes to prenatal care. Prenatal vitamins are one of the most critical steps you must take before even becoming pregnant, so please take their consumption seriously. If you need more advice and support, visit our clinic, schedule an appointment, and get the right guidance during this beautiful chapter of your life.