Heatlh and Nutrition: Prenatal Vitamins

In a perfect world, you would be getting all the nutrients you need from the food you eat. But with morning sickness, indigestion, food cravings, and the hectic, hurried way so many of us live our lives, it is the rare mom who can be sure she is getting everything she and her baby need. Because nutrition is so important for your developing baby as well as for your health, most doctors recommend that pregnant women take a prenatal supplement. In fact it is recommended, that women start taking a prenatal supplement several months before they conceive.

When you are choosing a prenatal supplement, you will want to make sure that it does not contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. A good prenatal should include antioxidants to cleanse your body of damaging free radicals as well as the recommended doses of the following nutrients.

Folic Acid

Folic acid is essential in the first trimester –especially during the first month of pregnancy. Folic acid helps to prevent serious neural tube birth defects like spina bifida. It is recommended that pregnant women, as well as women who are trying to conceive, get at least 400 mcgs of folic acid each day.

Iron

Iron is essential for forming red blood cells and for preventing anemia, and condition that will make your feel fatigued, tired and possibly irritable. The recommended dose of iron is 30 mgs.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A helps with cellular growth and eye site. The recommended dose for Vitamin A is 1300 mcg. However, be careful not to get too much vitamin A. Doses in excess of 10,000 mcg can cause birth defects.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps in the absorption of iron and helps to fight infection, heal tissue, and repair cells. The recommended dose of Vitamin C is 85 mgs.

Calcium

Calcium is essential for proper bone growth. A pregnant woman needs 1000 mg a day. Because calcium is bulky, you probably can’t get enough in your daily prenatal supplement. Consider taking a separate calcium supplement. Fairhaven Health’s Pregnancy Plus Cal-Mag supplement also includes magnesium which not only helps prevent premature delivery, but can also decrease leg cramps that many women get during pregnancy.

Omega-3

Omega-3 fatty acids support brain, heart, and eye development. It also decreases odds of a premature delivery. You will probably need to take Omega-3 in addition to your daily supplement.

Taking a prenatal supplement is the best way to be sure you are getting all the nutrients you and your baby need.

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