Taking Prenatal Vitamins When Trying To Get Pregnant

Your Body Will Have Enough Iron From The Get

Did you know that pregnant women need twice the amount of iron? This is one of the most popular nutrients included in prenatal vitamins. Iron keeps oxygen flowing through your bodys tissues and muscles, supporting the fetal development of your baby. This nutrient is also responsible for the production of hemoglobin, which carries the oxygen of red blood cells. You may or may not need to supplement with iron before you are actually pregnant. Keep in mind iron supplementation is often the cause of constipation and other unpleasant GI side effects. Iron is an important nutrient when thinking about becoming pregnant so outside of supplementation, it is important to focus on food sources.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Taking prenatal vitamins and following a healthy diet can lead to a healthy pregnancy and support your babys growth. There are various prenatals to choose from, but Dr. Ellman will be happy to find a prenatal vitamin that works best for your body.

Dr. Ellman is a high-risk OB/GYN doctor who established his medical practice in South Florida over 25 years ago. Book your appointment today.

References

Folic Acid Helps Prevent Some Birth Defects. .

Shmerling, R. H. & Shmerling, A. . Fertility and diet: Is there a connection? Wilson, D., et al. . Pre-conception Folic Acid and Multivitamin Supplementation for the Primary and Secondary Prevention of Neural Tube Defects and Other Folic Acid-Sensitive Congenital Anomalies .

Dr. Ellman has practiced Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Boca Raton area since 1995. In addition to treating patients at West Boca Hospital, Dr. Ellman also treats patients through his own private practice, Womens Healthcare of Boca Raton, located on the West Boca Medical Campus.

What Happens If You Take Prenatal Vitamins While Pregnant

Prenatal vitamins give you extra amounts of these three key nutrients for pregnant women: Folic acid helps your baby’s brain and spinal cord develop correctly. This nutrient reduces the risk of serious birth defects called spina bifida and anencephaly. Calcium protects your bones as your baby grows.

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How Are Prenatal Vitamins Different From Traditional Multivitamins

Lots of different prenatal vitamin types are available on the market. While theres not a specific formulation for all prenatal vitamins, youll likely find that prenatal vitamins contain at least these key nutrients:

Calcium. According to the Mayo Clinic, pregnant and adult women need 1,000 milligrams of calcium daily. Prenatal vitamins typically have between 200 and 300 mg of calcium. This contributes to a womans calcium requirements but doesnt account for all of her daily calcium needs. Calcium is important for all women because it keeps their bones strong.

Folic acid. Taking in enough folic acid is linked with reducing neural tube defects like spina bifida. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant women take in 600 micrograms of folic acid every day from all sources. Since it may be difficult to get this much folic acid from foods alone, a supplement is recommended.

Foods that have folic acid include beans, leafy green vegetables, asparagus, and broccoli. Many fortified foods including cereal, bread, and pasta have folate too.

Iron. This mineral is necessary to create new red blood cells in the body. Because a woman increases her blood volume during pregnancy, iron is a must-have. According to the Mayo Clinic, pregnant women need 27 mg of iron a day. This is 8 mg more than women who arent pregnant.

Prenatal vitamins often contain other vitamins and minerals. These could include:

One A Day Women’s Prenatal 1 Multivitamin Including Vitamin A Vitamin C Vitamin D B6 B12 Iron Omega

• During the summer months products may arrive warm but Amazon stores and ships products in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations, when provided.
• One A Day Prenatal 1 Multivitamin Softgels are gluten free and contain no artificial sweeteners or high fructose corn syrup
• One A Day Women’s Prenatal 1 Multivitamin is a complete Prenatal multivitamin specially formulated to provide women with nutritional support before, during, and after pregnancy. Store at room temperature and avoid excessive heat
• One A Day Women’s Prenatal multivitamins are the no.1 OB/GYN recommended over the counter brand of Prenatal multivitamins
• Adding a Prenatal multivitamin to daily routines is an important step in providing nutritional support for pregnant women and babies throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding

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Are There Any Side Effects Of Taking Prenatals While Not Pregnant

Generally speaking, the vitamins and nutrients included in prenatals wont cause detrimental side effects if they did, pregnant women wouldnt be encouraged to take them!

That said, prenatal vitamins do contain levels of nutrients specific to pregnant women, meaning they arent always the best choice for nonpregnant people on a long-term basis.

Your iron needs, for example, increase from 18 milligrams to 27 milligrams during pregnancy. While the short-term side effects of too much iron include mild GI upsets like constipation and nausea, over time that excess of nutrients could become more problematic.

Bottom line? If youre not pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you can hold off on prenatals until you really need them .

Do Prenatals Affect Fertility

Taking your prenatal vitamin wont make you any more likely to get pregnant. While prenatal vitamins can support nutrition in a pregnant woman during the pregnancy experience or a woman TTC, it will not impact fertility itself.

Prenatal vitamins will, however, make it significantly more likely that you experience a healthy pregnancy. They significantly reduce the likelihood of neural tube defects. Their use is also associated with a lower risk of miscarriage. They are a key safety net in preventing pregnancy complications that result from nutrient deficits, such as low birth weight or premature birth. So, we recommend that you add prenatals into your TTC journey these can include vitamins and fertility supplements such as iron, folate, or DHA supplements, but dont expect them to be magic fertility pills.

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It Can Reduce The Risk Of Preterm Birth

If you start taking prenatal vitamins before trying to conceive, it can help lower the chances of giving birth before term. Thanks to the key nutrients found in many prenatal vitamins they provide that boost in nourishment to avoid these irregularities. The proof? Recent research suggests that these vitamins reduce the risk of preterm labor by one-half!

When To Contact A Doctor

A person should talk with their doctor before taking any new supplements. The doctor can advise on whether the supplement may interact with any current medications. They may also recommend other lifestyle or dietary adjustments that a person can make to increase their chances of conceiving.

People who have difficulty conceiving should consult their doctor. About 6% of married couples cannot conceive after 1 year of trying. As age can affect fertility, if the person trying to conceive is over 35 years old, they should seek medical advice after 6 months of trying.

A doctor can check both partners to help determine the cause of infertility. They may suggest treatments, such as IVF or medications to help people conceive.

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Do I Need To Take A Prenatal Vitamin

The short and sweet answer is, yes!

I recommend all women of child-bearing age take a prenatal. Getting your nutrients through eating a balanced diet is ideal. A balanced diet consists of foundation in plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains.

But, lets face it. Its not always easy.

Thats why I recommend these essential daily supplements. Taking daily supplements is a wonderful insurance policy. And to be extra-sure all those nutrients are making it into your body, look for a multivitamin thats fermented. This allows you to absorb the nutrients more easily.

Once youre pregnant, you need to ensure you have the necessary nutrients to support both you and your growing baby. Throughout pregnancy your body requires more of certain nutrients. This includes folate, calcium, Vitamin D3, iron and iodine. This increased need makes nutrition and supplements even more important during pregnancy .

Nausea during the first-trimester , food aversions and lack of space as your baby grows, can make it difficult to get in all the necessary nutrients on a daily basis. Taking a prenatal like New Chapters Perfect Prenatal Multivitamin is that insurance policy for you and your baby. You can feel confident knowing your prenatal will fill in the gaps from what you might be lacking in your daily diet.

We Don’t Know If Those Same Micronutrients Can Have An Impact On Conception

Despite all we know about how micronutrients may affect reproductive function on a cellular level, theres a surprising gap of research on how micronutrients may affect chances of conception in humans in the real world and, to our knowledge, there havent been any clinical trials run by prenatal manufacturers on whether prenatals are associated with higher pregnancy rates or shorter time to pregnancy. In terms of pregnancy loss? Studies found no association between prenatal vitamins and lowered miscarriage rates.

There have been some studies looking at whether taking multivitamins or specific micronutrients may impact chances of conception, but were still far from being able to say that any specific vitamin formulation or individual micronutrient actually boosts chances of conception. Until large-scale randomized controlled trials systematically compare pregnancy rates or time to conception in people who do and do not use micronutrient supplements, the jurys out on whether they have an effect.

Scientists at the Center for Science in the Public Interest dug for evidence of effectiveness for 39 different womens fertility supplements . A minority of companies referenced scientific studies, but not a single referenced study found positive effects on ovulation, time to pregnancy, or pregnancy outcomes in women.Our suggestion? Approach any supplements that make these sorts of claims with a critical eye.

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Nordic Naturals Pro Prenatal Dha Unflavored

• BETTER ABSORPTION, BETTER TASTE, NO FISHY BURPS – All of our omega-3 fish oil concentrates are in the triglyceride molecular form for optimal absorption. Pro Prenatal DHA is unflavored for sensitive stomachs.
• AWARD-WINNING PRENATAL DHA – Nordic Naturals Prenatal DHA won the Top-Notch Award from Taste for Life, and is the Official Omega-3 of the American Pregnancy Association.
• WHY OMEGA-3s – Research shows that healthy DHA levels in mothers during pregnancy & lactation support optimal brain & visual development in babies. The added Vitamin D3 supports bone, mood & immune system health during pregnancy.
• PURITY GUARANTEED – Every batch of Nordic Naturals fish oil is crafted from fresh, wild-caught, omega-rich fish. Nordic Naturals is committed to using only non-GMO, gluten- & dairy-free ingredients with no artificial colors or preservatives.
• ETHICAL INNOVATION – Nordic Naturals has always been at the forefront of sustainable & ethical practices in the natural products industry. Through science & innovation, we are committed to delivering safe, effective nutrients for optimal wellness.

Why Is Taking Prenatal Vitamins When Not Pregnant Harmful

Prenatal vitamins may attract anyone because of unsubstantiated claims to help grow longer hair and stronger nails. However, these claims are not verified. Taking large doses of certain nutrients over an extended period may be harmful rather than beneficial to women who are not pregnant or attempting to become pregnant.

Prenatal vitamins are dietary nutrients designed to augment a womans nutritional and vitamin needs while pregnant or nursing. A babys optimal development and growth need the consumption of certain nutrients. Regular meals may not always provide adequate nutrients to pregnant women. Pregnant women should take prenatal vitamins daily to compensate for any nutritional deficiencies, and its best to take vitamins with a healthy balanced diet. Vitamins alone cannot replace a well-balanced and nutritionally packed meal plan.

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The Best Nutrients For Endometriosis

If you have endometriosis, you can already recite its lengthy list of pretty terrible symptoms. And the standard options for managing those symptoms medications, hormone therapy, hormonal birth control, estrogen blockers, surgery arent always great. But there is evidence that a so-called endometriosis diet can help.

What Are Neural Tube Defects

Neural tube defects are birth defects that involve incomplete development of the brain and spinal cord. The most common neural tube defects are:

• spina bifida: when the spinal cord and spinal column don’t completely close
• anencephaly: when the skull, scalp, and brain do not form properly
• encephalocele: when brain tissue protrudes out to the skin through an opening in the skull

These defects happen during the first 28 days of pregnancy usually before a woman even knows she’s pregnant.

That’s why it’s so important for all women of childbearing age to get enough folic acid, not just those who are trying to become pregnant. Half of all pregnancies are not planned, so anyone who could become pregnant should make sure to get enough folic acid.

It’s not clear why folic acid has such a profound effect on the prevention of neural tube defects. But experts do know that it’s vital to the development of DNA. As a result, folic acid plays a large role in cell growth and development, as well as tissue formation.

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The Modern Fertility Prenatal Vitamin

If you’re prepping your body for pregnancy or you’re already pregnant, the Modern Fertility Prenatal Multivitamin is a science-backed way to get essential nutrients on board. It includes key ingredients recommended by leading OB-GYNs, except for calcium. Why was calcium left out? Many prenatal multivitamins actually don’t have calcium that’s because calcium can block the absorption of iron and supplementation maxes out at ~500 mg. Both of these factors can make it difficult to put calcium alongside other nutrients in a prenatal. Instead, Modern Fertility opted for the calcium booster vitamin D.*

On top of 10 nutrients recommended by the leading association of OB-GYNs, the Prenatal Multi also has zinc and biotin. Zinc is essential for healthy fetal growth, and can be up to 50% deficient in vegetarians.* Biotin aids in converting food into energy, and a third of pregnant people are deficient.*

Whether it’s through fertility essentials or myth-busting articles like this one, Modern Fertility is always here for you as you think about your present or future chances of conception.

This article was reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Conti, MD, MS, MSc.

How Can I Get Enough Folic Acid

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires food-makers to add folic acid to their enriched grain products. So you can boost your intake by eating breakfast cereals, breads, pastas, and rice that have 100% of the recommended daily folic acid allowance. Check the product’s label for this information.

But for most women, eating fortified foods isn’t enough. To reach the recommended daily level, you’ll probably need a vitamin supplement. During pregnancy, you need more of all essential nutrients than you did before you became pregnant.

Prenatal vitamins shouldn’t replace a well-balanced diet. But taking them can give your body and your baby an added boost of vitamins and minerals. Some health care providers recommend taking a folic acid supplement in addition to a prenatal vitamin. Talk to your doctor about your daily folic acid intake. They might recommend a prescription supplement, an over-the-counter brand, or both.

Also talk to your doctor if you’ve already had a pregnancy that was affected by a neural tube defect or if you or your partner were affected by one yourselves. The doctor may recommend that you take a higher dose of folic acid .

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Provides With The Assurance That Your Babys And Mothers Nutritional Requirements Are Adequate

The importance of maintaining a nutritious diet throughout pregnancy is essential for the health of your unborn child. This diet should consist of meat and dairy products, vegetables and fruits, legumes, and grains. Even a balanced diet may not be adequate to protect a child and mothers health because some nutritional requirements may change during this duration.

Tips For Taking Prenatals

You may wish to take a prenatal multivitamin with food to help keep the tummy settled. Look for products that can be taken on an empty stomach, such as fermented multivitamins.

It also helps to know your habits in order to set yourself up for success. If you always take your vitamins with breakfast once a day, a one-tablet-daily prenatal may be the best choice for you. However, if you like spacing out your vitamins, other prenatal vitamins are designed so that a daily dose is spread out between multiple tablets that can be taken throughout the day.

Its best to listen to your body and notice if your prenatal is causing any queasiness, so then you can adjust from there. These days some prenatal multivitamins are even formulated with tummy-soothing ginger for morning sickness built right in, which can help if youre experiencing pregnancy-related nausea. Your healthcare professional may also have suggestions to help with any queasiness, such as spacing multi-dose vitamins throughout the day or taking with meals or water.

The key thing to remember is that adding a reliable prenatal multivitamin to your day can help maintain solid nutritional foundations. Whether youre planning to be pregnant or already expecting, these supplements offer highly tailored support for this important time in your life.

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