Many prenatal vitamins are available by both prescription and over the counter. Along with other ingredients, prenatal vitamins contain folic acid, a B vitamin that’s very important to the development of a healthy baby.
Folic acid helps prevent birth defects
Studies have shown that taking at least 400 mcg (0.4 mg) of folic acid a day during the first three months of pregnancy can help prevent serious birth defects of the brain and spine. Some doctors think the 400 mcg of folic acid contained in an ordinary multivitamin, together with a healthy diet, is enough. But other doctors believe that prenatal vitamins are a better choice since they contain larger concentrations of folic acid, and may provide additional iron, calcium, B vitamins, and vitamin C. Nonprescription prenatal vitamins generally contain 500 to 800 mcg of folic acid. Prescription-strength prenatal vitamins generally have 1,000 mcg, also labeled 1 mg.
Get the right mix of vitamins & minerals
Whether you and your doctor decide on a prescription or nonprescription vitamin, look for a product containing vitamins A, D, E, B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6, B12, and C. It’s also important to take 1,000 to 1,500 mg of calcium daily during pregnancy. Most prenatal vitamins contain only 125 to 300 mg of calcium, so getting additional calcium through your diet or calcium supplements is important. Many doctors recommend iron supplements during pregnancy since the body’s demands for iron increase. Choose a vitamin that contains 25 to 30 mg of iron. Also, the product you choose should have 800 mcg to 1000 mcg of folic acid, and no more than 5,000 IU of vitamin A. High doses of vitamin A can lead to serious side effects, including headache, double vision, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and liver damage.
Sources: Czeizel, A. “Prevention of the First Occurrence of Neural-Tube Defects by Periconceptional Vitamin Supplementation,” New England Journal of Medicine 327 (1992).Wald, N. “Folic Acid and the Prevention of Neural Tube Defects,” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 29 (1993).Silverman, H.M., J.A. Romano, G. Elmer. The Vitamin Book: A No-Nonsense Consumer Guide. Bantam Books, 1999. Healthy Living, “Pregnancy.” http:www.mayoclinic.com. Mayo Clinic Health. Last accessed 1/9/2007.This answer prepared 3/30/2000.This information updated 1/9/3007.
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