What Prenatal Vitamin Do Doctors Recommend
“Women who are trying to get pregnant need additional folic acid, iron, calcium, vitamin A, B-complex, C, D, zinc and omega-3-fish oil,” Dr. Ross said. Our medical reviewer Regina Cardaci, PhD, RN, a clinical assistant professor of midwifery at NYU Meyers College of Nursing pointed out that thiamine is also crucial in any prenatal for brain development.
New Chapter Perfect Prenatal Whole
These contain nonconstipating iron that is fermented for absorption, the makers say. The vitamins also provide 100% DV of folate and iron, plus zinc and vitamins B, D3, C, and A.
The company highlight that their product is made with certified organic vegetables and herbs and is gluten-free, with no added sugar, artificial colors or flavors, or animal gelatin. The vitamins contain ginger to help ease morning sickness.
Online, the reviews are overwhelmingly positive. Some reviews report side effects, however, or question the makeup of the synthetic compounds.
There are many varieties of vegan prenatal vitamins.
Best For Morning Sickness: New Chapter Perfect Prenatal Vitamins
Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy are common occurrences experienced by a large number of women. Ginger has been used for centuries as a herbal remedy for numerous ailments, including digestive issues such as nausea.
A systematic review examined the use of ginger for the treatment of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and found that ginger significantly improved the symptoms of nausea when compared to a placebo. New Chapters Perfect Prenatal vitamin includes organic ginger in each dose to help ease nausea. This supplement is vegetarian, certified non-GMO, and gluten- and synthetic filler-free.
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Can You Take Prenatal Vitamins If You Are Not Pregnant
One of the frequently asked questions we get is whether or not prenatal vitamins are acceptable to take if you are not pregnant. The answer is simple: typically, yes. Although there are a few exceptions. But first, lets explore how prenatal vitamins are different from other multivitamins and why you would want to consider taking them even if youre not pregnant.
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Garden Of Life Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal
Unlike the others on the list thus far, this small, easy-to-tolerate pill is only available through an Rx from your doc. So now you’re probably wondering: Is prescription better than OTC? Not necessarily, according to Dr. McDonald, who says she doesn’t having a preference for one over the other.
What draws people to an Rx option rather than the more “trendy” OTC versions is that your health insurance might cover the cost if the specific prenatal fits your plan, Dr. Dweck explains. If that sounds like something you’d be interested in, consult your insurance plan to see what, if any prenatal vitamins, are covered and then chat about it further with your provider.
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Benefits Of Vitamins During Pregnancy
During pregnancy your body must supply the necessary amount of nutrients for two people rather than just one, which can lead to some shortages of vitamins and minerals. You may not be able to meet the special needs for the proper development of your child with your regular diet, which is why prenatal vitamins are so useful. Prenatal vitamins are high in B vitamins, calcium, vitamin A. In addition, there are other vitamins and supplements including vitamin D, folic acid, and vitamin C. The proper balance of these nutrients enhances your body’s ability to metabolize and digest food and encourages healthy brain, eye, and bone development in your baby.
When Do I Need To Start Taking Prenatal Vitaminsand For How Long
Ideally, you should start as soon as you begin trying to conceive, Dr. Ruiz says. Your baby will need those extra nutrients from the moment of conception, Dr. Ruiz explains.
You should start taking prenatal vitamins several months before you conceive.
It’s best to make sure your system is well stocked for several months before you conceive, Dr. White adds. Continue to take them throughout your pregnancy and afterward, for as long as you’re breastfeeding, Dr. Ruiz advises.
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How To Shop For A Prenatal Vitamin
Centrum Prenatal + Dha
If you find you’re vitamin D deficient, you may want to seek vitamins that include a little extra or make sure you’re getting enough from other sources like fatty fishes. These Centrum prenatal vitamins fit the bill and include 600 IU of vitamin D.
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What Do I Really Need In A Prenatal Vitamin
Sifting through drugstore shelves or Amazon suggestions can be intimidating. And don’t worry, it’s not just youall of those options don’t just start to sound alike, they really are very similar, says Wendy Goodall McDonald, MD, a Chicago-based ob-gyn.
These are the recommended daily amounts of essential nutrients you should be getting when you’re pregnant and what a basic prenatal should have:
- Folic acid: 400 milligrams
- Vitamin D: 600 international units
- Calcium: 1,000 milligrams
- Iron: 27 milligrams
- Omega-3 fatty acids: 200 milligrams
Other vitamins you should look for in your prenatals:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B12
One thing to note: Getting enough vitamin D is especially important for BIPOC women, as they’re more prone to having a deficiency, says Lucky Sekhon, MD, an ob-gyn, infertility specialist, and reproductive endocrinologist at Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York.
Vitamin D is important for strong bones and a healthy pregnancy, and having too little has been linked to conditions like preeclampsia, which is high blood pressure and associated organ damage during pregnancy, and preterm delivery. “Vitamin D is derived from sun exposure and skin absorption, which is limited in melanin-pigmented skin,” says Dr. Sekhon. “The average prenatal vitamin contains 400 IU of vitamin D. A woman whose levels are known to be deficient will require more than this daily amount to replenish it.”
When Should You Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins How Long Should You Take Them
Doctors, midwives, and other health care professionals recommend that women begin taking prenatal vitamins before they become pregnant. The brain and spinal cord of the embryo begin to develop within 3 to 4 weeks of pregnancy, when you may not even know that you are pregnant. The CDC recommends that all women of childbearing age consume folic acid daily to prevent spina bifida and anencephaly. These serious birth defects affect the babys developing brain and spinal cord. Your doctor or midwife may recommend that you continue to take prenatal vitamins after you have your baby, especially if you are breastfeeding. If you are planning to conceive, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss any pregnancy planning concerns.
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Prenatal Vitamins & Supplements
As a mom-to be it is important that you get the nutrients you need for a healthy pregnancy. At Target, find a wide range of prenatal vitamins and supplements. Look through a range of supplements that are formulated with blends derived from fruits and vegetables, and contain probiotic digestive enzymes. These supplements come in a variety of forms. Choose from tablets, powders, capsules, pills and gummies. Whether its before, during or after your pregnancy, it is essential to take your vitamins along with a balanced diet. Browse through a range of vitamins and supplements with ingredients like apple cider vinegar, folic acid, fish oil, choline, DHA, calcium, vitamin B12, vitamin C, Vitamin D and zinc. Choose from brands like Ancient Nutrition, Enfamil, Garden Of Life, MegaFood, Nature Made, Natures Bounty, Pink Vitamins and more. Explore a large collection of prenatal vitamins and supplements to find the right pick for you.
Actif Organic Postnatal Vitamin
Containing more than 25 vitamins and herbs, this advanced formula is made to support the nutritional needs of nursing mothers and is designed to boost lactation, energy levels, and mood. It includes choline, which promotes healthy brain development. Composed of 100 percent natural ingredients, these vegan vitamins are free of GMOs, gluten, and BPA.
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Are There Any Side Effects From Taking Prenatal Vitamins
Your body undergoes a lot of changes during pregnancy. When you start taking prenatal vitamins, you add to those changes. In some cases, women report constipation as a side effect. This is often due to your increased iron intake.
To reduce your risk of constipation, it is a good idea to:
Drink plenty of water and fluids
Add fiber to your diet
Exercise
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Varieties Of Prenatal Vitamins
There are numerous types of prenatal vitamins. Prior to purchasing one, it is a good idea to discuss your particular needs with your physician. Many prenatal vitamin formulas can be taken while you are pregnant and during breast-feeding. These multivitamins have a unique balance of proteins and folic acid that is vital to proper milk production in mothers who have just given birth. Vegetarian prenatal vitamins have also been developed for the mother who doesn’t eat meat or animal products and wishes to start her child off on a vegetarian diet.
*The total item count is approximate. The count will be inaccurate when sponsored products are displayed, when multiple sizes or colors of a product are grouped on a single product card, and when the in-stock filter is applied.
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When Should You Start Taking A Prenatal Vitamin
Prenatal vitamins arent just for pregnant peopletheyre for people trying to get pregnant, too. ACOG recommends taking a prenatal vitamin that contains at least 400 micrograms of folic acid at least one month before becoming pregnant.
Begin taking prenatal vitamins when you start tryingdont wait until youre pregnant, says Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. I encourage all my patients to take folic acid supplementation before they conceiveat least 400 micrograms per dayas we know that women on folic acid supplementation can significantly reduce the risk of certain birth defects like spina bifida.
And even if youre not trying to conceive, if youre not using contraception, you could become pregnant if youre having sex, she says, adding if youre not using contraception, you should take a prenatal vitamin just in case.
| Compare Best Prenatal Vitamins For 2021 |
Are Prescription Prenatal Vitamins Better Than Over The Counter Ones
Prescription prenatal vs OTC prenatal vitamins. Which one is right for you? Read our guide.
Most people can agree that prenatal vitamins are considered an important addition to a nutritious diet around the time of pregnancy. In fact, both the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend prenatal vitamins both before conception and throughout pregnancy.
Put simply, prenatal vitamins are vitamins that contain more folate and iron than your standard multivitamin since these nutrients are especially important to the growth of the developing fetus. What might be news to some women, however, is that there are both over the counter and prescription prenatals.
So, on top of the sheer number of prenatal vitamin options on store shelves to choose from, women have to also decide if they want a prescription or over the counter prenatal? Way to make a hard decision even harderbut never fear, weve got you covered with this explanation of the main differences between over the counter and prescription prenatals.
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How To Choose The Most Popular Best Prenatal Vitamins For Dogs
There are three most important factors to keep in mind while deciding on a product: pricing, quality, and popularity.One obvious consideration is price. You must make sure that the price matches your budget.To get the greatest product, you need to pay attention to the quality of the things you are purchasing.When it comes to acquiring new clients, popularity is just as important as pricing or quality, if not more so.
How We Chose The Best Prenatal Vitamins
We started with the ingredients outlined above and found prenatal supplements that contain most of the nutrients you need. From there, we checked which of these options were also tested and recommended by members of our What to Expect community, OB/GYNs or editors.
Here are our top picks.
See registry advice and a custom baby gear checklist
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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:
How Do You Read A Product Label To See How Much Folic Acid Is In A Vitamin Supplement
To find out if a vitamin supplement has folic acid in it, check the label . The label is usually on the back of the bottle. Look for the word folate on the label to see how much folic acid youre getting. The label tells you this information:
- Serving size. This tells you how much of the product is in one serving. One multivitamin usually is one serving.
- Servings per container. This tells you how many servings are in a multivitamin bottle. For example, if two pills are one serving and the bottle has 30 multivitamins in it, thats 15 servings.
- Nutrients, like vitamin D, folate and calcium, in each serving
- Daily value of one serving. DV is the amount of a nutrient in a serving. For example, if the DV of folic acid in a multivitamin is 50 percent, that multivitamin gives you 50 percent of the folic acid you need each day.
Vitamin supplement labels now list mcg DFE of folate, which stands for dietary folate equivalent. Its the amount of folate your body absorbs. If a serving has less than 400 mcg DFE of folate, you need more than one serving to get all the folic acid you need each day.
Labels on food products dont always list the amount of folic acid in the product. Newer food labels that list folic acid will list mcg DFE of folate, just like for vitamin supplements.
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Best Overall: Thorne Research Basic Prenatal
If you’re looking for an excellent overall prenatal, Thorne’s Basic Prenatal is the top pick, particularly for its highly absorbable form of folate. Adequate intake of folate is known to support the healthy development of the fetuss organs and tissues. In addition, it is especially critical for the closure of the neural tube, which is the precursor to the brain and spinal cord.
Though many foods like cereal, bread, and grains are enriched with folic acid and other b vitamins, supplementation is still recommended for pregnant women, as their need for this nutrient becomes 50 percent higher.
It is recommended that women consume 600 micrograms of supplemental folic acid, in addition to the folate found in food. Thornes Basic Prenatal contains 1,000 micrograms of metabolically active folic acid283 percent of the recommended daily intake for folate. In addition, this prenatal is gluten-, dairy-, soy-, and artificial flavor-free.
Thornes facility is NSF- and cGMP-compliant and they rigorously test for 760 contaminants to verify the identity, potency, and purity of each ingredient listed on their product labels.
