Advantages and Disadvantages of Prenatal Vitamins

All pregnant women must take prenatal vitamins or vitamins for pregnancy. Pregnant women are advised to take them, frequently even before conception, by doctors and other experts for many years. She might not be aware of the particular benefits or drawbacks of prenatal vitamins, though.

Are you wondering what vitamins you take daily for pregnancy? Learn more about the nutrients in it and how they can help you and your unborn child by reading the article.

 

What is Prenatal Vitamin?

The purpose of prenatal vitamins is to give pregnant women the vital vitamins and minerals their bodies need for a healthy and successful pregnancy.

Folic acid is the most important prenatal vitamin to take when getting ready for pregnancy. Folic acid is one of the B vitamins that your body requires for the development and growth of cells. Administering 400 micrograms of folic acid per day for a minimum of one month before and during pregnancy can help prevent neural tube defects, which are abnormalities of the developing baby’s brain and spine. Higher dosages of folic acid may be necessary for some women, such as those whose pregnancies were affected by sickle cell disease. To find out what dosage is right for you, speak with a nurse or doctor. While eating a healthy, balanced diet should provide the majority of your nutrients, taking prenatal vitamins during pregnancy is also a wise choice. Your doctor, midwife, or nurse can also recommend the best vitamins for you in addition to folic acid.

 

When Is It Time to Start Taking Vitamins During Pregnancy?

Take folic acid at least one month before attempting to conceive. The first few weeks of pregnancy have a significant impact on the health and growth of the fetus. Folic acid is one of the prenatal vitamins that helps reduce the risk of certain birth defects. Take prenatal vitamins for the entire duration of your pregnancy.

 

Best Prenatal Vitamins

By taking prenatal vitamins, you can make sure you get the nutrients you need for a healthy pregnancy. The following is a list of the best vitamins for pregnant women:

Folic acid: One B vitamin that has been shown to lessen the incidence of neural tube defects, like spina bifida, is folic acid.

Iron: The most common type of anemia, iron deficiency anemia, can be prevented or treated with iron. Iron is essential during pregnancy when blood volume can increase by up to 40 to 50%, as it is needed to circulate oxygen throughout your body and to your developing fetus.

Calcium: The development of healthy vascular and muscular systems, as well as strong bones, depends on calcium in the fetus. If the mother’s diet is insufficient to provide the baby with the necessary calcium, your body quickly releases the calcium from the reserves in your bones.

Vitamin A: It promotes better vision development.

Vitamin B: The maintenance of regular cell function and metabolism are the two main functions of B vitamins.

Vitamin C: Vitamin C prevents oxidative stress and supports your immune system, which is often strained during pregnancy.

Vitamin D: Vitamin D facilitates the easier absorption of calcium. According to studies, women who do not get enough vitamin D may have a harder time getting pregnant than those who do.

Omega-3s (DHA and EPA): Two essential fatty acids for brain development are omega-3s (DHA and EPA). Also, they help in the reduction of inflammation, and certain studies suggest a reduction in premature birth, fetal growth restriction, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes when supplements are taken during pregnancy.

Some vitamins that are particularly important for pregnant women are zinc, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, riboflavin, thiamine, and niacin.

 

Advantages of Prenatal Vitamins

The primary benefit of prenatal vitamins is that they support the growth and health of your unborn child. Still, there are more benefits to prenatal vitamins than that. Is hair growth helped by prenatal vitamins? No, instead it’s the high levels of estrogen that cause hair to stop falling out at its normal rate during pregnancy. Also, it reduces the likelihood of a variety of illnesses, from mild to serious, like:

• Anemia
• Fatigue
• Leg and muscle cramps
• Low immunity
• Postpartum depression
• Weakness
• Low appetite
• Skin irritation
• Brain fog

 

Disadvantages of Prenatal Vitamins

Hormone level changes may be one of the negative impacts of vitamins during pregnancy. When you analyze the many benefits of taking them, the side effects are typically insignificant. Prenatal vitamins are known to have the following common side effects:

Nausea: Prenatal vitamins should never be taken empty-handed; instead, they should always be taken with food to avoid nausea. It’s also a good idea to take them at night so you can sleep through any potential nausea.

Constipation: Your constipation may be caused by high iron content.

A change in the urine’s color or smell: Though these are slight changes, B vitamins in particular may be the reason.

Consult your physician if any of these adverse effects from prenatal vitamins begin to cause problems with your health. To help you feel more at ease, she might suggest vitamins for pregnancy to keep your developing child safe and healthy.

 

 

Final Word

To ensure a healthy pregnancy, prenatal vitamins must be taken. A prescription from your doctor or an over-the-counter purchase will get you vitamins during pregnancy. Check the labels of any vitamins or supplements you take while pregnant to make sure you are not allergic to any of the ingredients. Additionally, make sure the products have been approved by an impartial body like U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) or NSF International.