As soon as you become pregnant, your doctor will prescribe prenatal vitamins. The nutrients in these vitamins are important for several reasons. If you are trying to conceive, you should start taking them before you get pregnant.
One important nutrient in prenatal vitamins is folic acid. Folic acid has been shown in studies to prevent neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. Neural tube defects often develop before you know you are pregnant. This is why women who are trying to get pregnant are advised to start taking the vitamins.
Folic acid is available in many food sources, such as citrus fruits, nuts, beans and leafy green vegetables. As the news of the importance of folic acid has been discovered, it has been added to some foods. You can find juices, breads and cereals that are fortified with folic acid.
Iron and calcium are two other important nutrients found in prenatal vitamins. Calcium is needed for bone development. If the baby isn’t getting enough calcium from mom, it will be leached from mom’s bones. Iron is needed for the development of red blood cells.
Some women have trouble remembering to take prenatal vitamins. If you forget to take them, treat your vitamins like the birth control pill. Pick a time of day that you will take them. Take the vitamin at the same time every day to help you remember.
Another reason women give for not taking the vitamins is the pills cause an upset stomach. This is a problem especially if you are suffering from morning sickness. Try taking the pill with a meal to minimize stomach upset. Taking the pills with dinner is sometimes helpful for women experiencing morning sickness.
If you plan to breastfeed your baby, your doctor will probably advise you to continue taking the vitamins after the baby is born. This helps ensure that you are getting enough calcium and other nutrients to nourish you and your baby. Keep in mind that vitamins aren’t a replacement for a healthy diet. You should eat a healthy diet in addition to taking the vitamins.
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