Benefits of Prenatal Vitamins

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An extremely life changing experience is having a baby. Prenatal Vitamins is the one thing that you should remember in all the excitement of planning nurseries and buying cribs and cute baby clothes, and much before you even conceive.

Yes, prenatal vitamins are a must in today’s lifestyle where women do not meet their sufficient nutrition requirements from food alone. Most women don’t have time to eat proper nutritious food because it’s a hectic, fast paced life. So, you need to consult your doctor and start taking vitamins, if you’re planning to have a baby, before conception itself.

Prenatal vitamins have to be taken prior to, during and even after pregnancy simply because at this crucial time the body’s stores are depleted as the body prepares for the baby.

Why are prenatal vitamins vital?

Prenatal vitamins contain a combination of important vitamins and minerals that are required for the healthy growth of the baby. If these vitamins are taken at least six months prior to conception, then the chances of birth defects are reduced greatly.

Medical studies have shown that most birth defects usually occur within the first 28 days after conception and sometimes women aren’t even aware that they have conceived. The only way in which birth defects can be avoided or prevented are when you take prenatal vitamins before conception. Most birth defects can be prevented by a program of wholesome prenatal nutrition. Folic acid is only one of a long list of nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids that reduce birth defects and boost the health of newborns.

Some of the vitamins and minerals that you can find in a common prenatal vitamin are:

Folic acid – This is one of the most important components of a vitamin. Folic acid helps tremendously in reducing the occurrence of neural defects such as spina bifida. Spina bifida occurs in the earliest stages of pregnancy when the spinal cord is not closed, exposing the nerves and resulting most often in paralysis and even mental retardation.

Natural sources of folic acid include green leafy vegetables, nuts, orange juice and other citrus fruits. Despite these sources, if you want to make sure you have adequate folic acid, it is better to take a supplement in the form of a vitamin. Folic acid is also known to prevent another serious defect, hydrocephalus, which is an incurable condition in which cerebrospinal fluid abnormally gathers in the brain’s cavities causing neurological dysfunction. Doctors recommend at least 400 mcg of folic acid in a day.

Calcium – Calcium is found in natural sources such as dairy products, eggs, soya beans, nuts and fish although it is highly recommended that you take supplements as they can be absorbed better by the body. As the fetus grows inside the body, it starts depleting the calcium in the bones of the mother’s body because it requires them for its own growth. Due to this, you could lose your own bone density and it could cause numerous problems later on, osteoporosis being just one of them. Calcium supplements provide the growing fetus with the required calcium sources.

Iron – When you are pregnant, the body produces more blood and as a result uses up more iron from the body. One of the most common problems that pregnant women are beset with is anemia. Because of this iron deficiency, anemia occurs and can cause fatigue and tiredness. Other complications could also result because of anemia. Iron supplements however are typically taken after the first trimester.

The proper prenatal vitamin

It’s effortless to secure a prenatal vitamin over the counter these days, but if you are specific about your and the baby’s health, a good idea would be to consult with your doctor before you conceive and ask them to recommend one for you. The reason is that your physician knows your medical history and will be equipped to suggest a prenatal vitamin that has all the perfect components of vitamins and minerals for you.

Possible risks linked with prenatal vitamins

While prenatal vitamins are essentially good for a pregnant woman or one who is planning to conceive, sometimes they also come with a few risk factors. Some prenatal vitamins can trigger side effects of an allergic nature such as hives, swelling of throat and mouth or difficulty in breathing. If any of these reactions occur, you should consult your doctor quickly.

A few over enthusiastic individuals sometimes consume multiple supplements and this can cause more harm than good because excess levels of certain vitamins in the body can become toxic. Other minor problems include nausea or constipation and doctors recommend that you drink a full glass of water while taking prenatal vitamins.

Barring this, prenatal vitamins are excellent sources of important nutrients for the mommy and the baby. Of course, you should include fresh and nutritious food in your diet as well and not exclusively depend on vitamins.

Good to know:

Scientific studies of women taking prenatal vitamins have shown that they can greatly reduce the risk of cancer, neuroblastoma and brain tumors in their children.

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