What Is A Prenatal Vitamin
A prenatal vitamin is a supplement designed to provide nutrients and minerals needed for a healthy pregnancy. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists notes taking a prenatal vitamin and eating nutritious foods should provide a person with all the vitamins and minerals they need during pregnancy.
A prenatal vitamin is important for pregnant people, as the growing fetus requires certain nutrients that can be hard to get through diet alone.
Fetal development is rapid and requires a lot of metabolismits dependent on the proper amount of amino acids and nutrients, says James Grifo, M.D., the program director at NYU Langone Fertility Center in New York City and chief executive physician at Inception Fertility.
ACOG recommends pregnant people consume certain amounts of calcium to help build strong bones and teeth, iron to help red blood cells deliver oxygen to the fetus, iodine and choline to aid in brain development, and folic acid to help prevent birth defects. Additionally, it recommends vitamins A, B6, B12, C and D, which provide benefits that range from promoting healthy skin and eyesight to the formation of red blood cells. While much of these nutrients can be obtained through a healthy diet, a prenatal vitamin provides the extra assurance your daily nutrition needs are met, no matter whats on the menu.
Smartypants Prenatal Formula Daily Gummy Multivitamin
Why its great: SmartyPants created this prenatal multivitamin with moms working through food allergies in mind. These vitamins are free of gluten, nuts, milk, eggs, and more, so the company really did a great job of creating something that most women could take, no matter their allergies. These daily multivitamins contain the typical mix of nutrients necessary for a healthy pregnancy. Plus, theyre made from all-natural ingredients. Theyre also available at a more affordable price than others that are also sensitive to women with allergies.
Keep in mind: These do contain a little more sugar than some, but it gives them a great taste and makes them easier to consume.
Good for: Women that have all different kinds of food allergies.
Best Prenatal Vitamins To Buy Over The Counter
These vitamins offer the best nutrients to support a healthy pregnancy.
All products and services featured here are selected by Everyday Health’s commerce team and chosen for their potential to inspire and enable your wellness. Everyday Health may earn an affiliate commission on items you purchase.
Maintaining a healthy diet is always important, but it becomes even more important before and during pregnancy, as what you eat is also the source of nutrients for the baby.
Although most of your nutrients should come from the foods you eat, it is a good idea to take a prenatal vitamin supplement to fill in potential gaps. Early in pregnancy, particularly with nausea and food aversions that are common in the first trimester, a woman may not eat a balanced diet, says Cynthia C. Gyamfi-Bannerman, MD, ob-gyn at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Prenatal vitamin supplements contain all the recommended daily vitamins and minerals you will need before and during your pregnancy, according to the American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians .
Some of the nutrients that are particularly important before and during pregnancy include folic acid, iron, and vitamin D. Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects when taken before pregnancy and during pregnancy, according to the ACOG, and they recommend that women consume 400 micrograms of folic acid a day.
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There Is A Large Selection
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Pink Stork Total Prenatal Vitamins With Dha And Folic Acid
Why its great: Pink Storks Total Prenatal Vitamins with DHA and Folic Acid is one of many items from a line of products made by women for women. This women-owned organization came up with this specific formula for your prenatal needs and put it into capsule form. It encompasses the vitamins and minerals necessary for a healthy pregnancy, as well as giving you a moderate dose of iron. The makers of this vitamin made it with attention to detail , so each pill is scented to avoid a nauseating smell that morning sick moms will appreciate. Not only does this prenatal give you everything youll need during pregnancy, but its also vegetarian.
Keep in mind: Expecting moms should note, too much iron can be troublesome on your stomach, and in rare cases, very high doses are risky. Pink Stork kept their iron dosage at 100% of your daily need, no more or less, so youre safe using this one.
Good for: Women that want a prenatal by women who understand their exact needs.
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Mommys Bliss Prenatal Multivitamins + Probiotics
Remaining in excellent health condition during pregnancy is paramount. That is why mommys bliss have the prenatal vitamin with probiotics among their range of products. The Mommys Bliss Prenatal Multivitamins + probiotics is targeted at addressing the digestive issues nausea, gas, constipation, that may arise during pregnancy.
It is produced mostly from organic sources and uses no artificial colors and flavors. It is also suitable for most allergic individuals.
It has 19 vitamins and minerals, including folate in its available form to help with neural tube development.
Dha : A Detailed Review
Docosahexaenoic acid is one of the most important omega-3 fatty acids.
Like most omega-3 fats, its linked to many health benefits.
Part of every cell in your body, DHA plays a vital role in your brain and is absolutely crucial during pregnancy and infancy.
Since your body cant produce it in adequate amounts, you need to obtain it from your diet.
This article explains everything you need to know about DHA.
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One A Day Women’s Prenatal 1 Multivitamin
This is the most popular brand of prenatal vitamins on the market, and it’s a solid choice, says Hillary Wright, MEd, RD, the director of nutrition counseling at Boston IVF and an expert in prenatal nutrition.
It’s not necessarily fancy, but it gets the job done for a reasonable price and, best of all, it’s been verified by an independent lab so its contents are as advertised, she adds.
How Do I Choose Which Prenatal Vitamin Is Best For Me
Choosing the right prenatal vitamin depends on a lot of factors. What one woman needs is not necessarily something a different woman needs. Factors like diet, age, and activity levels can change what you need in a prenatal supplement.
It’s important to discuss with a doctor what you should consider in a prenatal vitamin. They may suggest specific amounts of folate, iron, calcium, and other nutrients. They may even prescribe prenatal vitamins if you have certain health considerations.
You may also want to discuss any prescription drugs you are taking.
Some prescriptions and herbal supplements may interact poorly with prenatal vitamins, so you should consult with your doctor on what the best option is.
Prenatal vitamins are not a substitute for adequate nutrition. It’s only meant to supplement your diet to help you get all of your vitamins and minerals.
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New Chapter Perfect Prenatal Multivitamins
Perfect Prenatal Multivitamins is different from the others. It ferments its vitamins for easy absorption by the body. Mother and child can get the nutrients it provides faster due to the fermentation it employs to deploy the nutrients.
It also helps in curbing morning sickness because of the presence of Ginger in its ingredients. Gut health is also a priority due to the presence of probiotics which also makes iron absorption easier.
The babys cognitive functions are well developed because it contains DHA and EPA, and not leaving out Folate, readily available as Methylfolate.
For best result, take three tablets daily.
Things We Considered While Listing The Best Prenatal Vitamins For Pregnancy
Several prenatal vitamins and nutrients are available, which can be confusing if you do not know what to search for. Although you hope you can claim all prenatal vitamins are made equal, this is not the case.
So, we will inform you about which key vitamins and other nutrients you should seek in a prenatal vitamin.
- Folic Acid
Folic acid, commonly known as folate, is a B vitamin essential for a healthy pregnancy. You can also choose modified folate instead of folic acid. It aids the body in forming healthy new red blood cells and white blood cells and can help lower the chance of some birth abnormalities. Overall, it is the most crucial vitamin to take while planning a pregnancy.
The CDC advises all women to take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, but the ACOG recommends raising this dose to 600 micrograms.
- Iron
Most females are iron deficient already before pregnancy. With high iron demands throughout pregnancy, it is not unusual for several pregnant women to have some amount of iron deficiency anemia. For such reasons, selecting an iron-fortified prenatal can assist in meeting iron demands throughout pregnancy and, ideally, preventing iron deficiency anemia.
- Calcium
- Choline
Choline is among the most critical nutrients for your babys brain development, but it may or not be present in your prenatal vitamin. Pregnant women should take 450mg of choline per day, which food or supplements can still achieve.
- Other Essential Nutrients
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Mama Bird Prenatal Vitamin
These vitamins contain “methylated folate,” a buzzy word in this area. Folate is one of the most important vitamins in prenatal pills, but some women have a genetic condition that makes it hard for their bodies to convert the folic acid in most prenatals to the active form the body can use, Wright explains.
But there’s a catch: You won’t know if you have the condition unless you have genetic testing done. So, if you want to be super safe and cover all your bases, then a methylated version of folate might be worth the money. Still, she emphasizes that for the majority of women, the regular variety is just fine.
Nature Made Best Vitamins With Dha
Brand Overview
Nature Made is the brand that people trust for their daily vitamins, and it is available in nearly every grocery shop. This is why they have a large number of clients who purchase their health goods from them. Artificial colors and flavors, preservatives, yeast, and gluten are not included in the tablets.
Nature Mades top-quality standards apply to all parts of its company, from obtaining ingredients via product manufacture, packing, and shipping, to product sale and after-service support.
Nature Made Prenatal Multivitamin + DHA has beneficial ingredients for both mother and child. The most significant part about this prenatal vitamin is its high concentration of DHA, a fatty acid essential for embryonic brain development.
It contains 200mg of DHA and essential vitamins and minerals for daily nutritional support throughout pregnancy, and it also includes folic acid and iron. It has been clinically proven to improve nutrient absorption, and it delivers a complete vitamin profile that includes all eight B vitamins, vitamin C, and fat-soluble vitamins .
Features
- High-Quality Ingredients
It contains 800mcg of folic acid, which is the recommended daily allowance. That is an excellent sum for both you and your child. It is also high in vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, biotin, B12, C, D, E, K, iron, and zinc.
- Easy to Use
Pros
- Several types of vitamins present
Cons
- Fishy smell
Customer Experience
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Prenatal Products You Should Also Consider
Lactation Smoothie – These smoothies are designed to support lactation for breastfeeding moms.
The Sweetie Pie Lactation Smoothie has 1000mg of Fenugreek that claims to stimulate milk production, making sure that your little one gets all the good stuff as he or she thrives.
And no, you dont have to wait until youve given birth to take this product.
It claims to prepare your body for when your baby is born and actually starts consuming breastmilk, so you can start taking it as early as 7 months.
Lactation Bars – Lactation bars have clean ingredients and are recommended for pregnant or lactating moms. Our favorite is one by Sweetie Pie. It contains 500mg of Fenugreek, which isnt bad for a single bar that tastes delicious. Online reviews from users claim that the Sweetie Pie lactation bar does help with their milk supply in as little as 2-3 hours after eating. Its a filling snack with 220 calories per bar and the ingredients are completely clean and vegan.
Factors You Should Consider Before Buying The Prenatal Vitamin Gummies
As you already know, research is essential before making any purchase. So, there are some factors you should consider before starting your research. This is important so that you can make your entire buying process as hassle-free as possible.
Remember, your time has as much value as your money. So, there are a few things you should determine which will affect your research as well.
There are a few questions you should ask yourself to determine your course of research on the prenatal vitamin gummies:
- Is this prenatal vitamin gummies serving the purpose of purchase? What are your expectations from the product?
- What functions must the prenatal vitamin gummies have? Are there any specific functions that you are seeking in the product?
- Is there a specific budget, or is the budget flexible?
- Will the prenatal vitamin gummies require maintenance and upkeep costs?
- Are you looking to buy the prenatal vitamin gummies online or offline? What will be the best places to purchase the product?
- Where will you seek reliable information on the prenatal vitamin gummies?
Having multiple options from various brands can get confusing, so ask yourself these questions to narrow down your research.
Once you determine your expectations from the prenatal vitamin gummies and your price range, you decide which ones you must research. The research will help you determine the pros and cons. But before that, where will you get the reliable information to conduct your research?
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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.
Best Prenatal Vitamins With Probiotics
Prenatal vitamins with probiotics are food supplements that women can use during pregnancy to improve their nutrient consumption and address the issue of constipation and diarrhea that often arises during pregnancy.
The importance of consuming nutrients in the right proportion cannot be overstated, especially during pregnancy. The mother and the child need these nutrients that are sometimes not easily gotten from food due to different reasons. Some of the reasons being morning sickness, inability to consume so much food, and constipation. With prenatal vitamins, you get the needed vitamins for you and your child, or childrens good health.
These vitamins can contain organic materials, bacteria and yeast to be precise, that will also aid the digestion and general gut health of you, the mother, and help you get more nutrients into your system.
In this article, we will consider some of the best prenatal vitamins with probiotics that are best for you as an expecting mother. We will also see why you should consider taking them and what they promise to provide you and your baby.
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Q Are Prenatal Vitamins Fda Approved
Because prenatal vitamins are classified as nutritional supplements, the FDA does not examine or certify their safety. The organization advises consumers to consult with their healthcare professionals about whether they should take a prenatal vitamin.
The National Institutes of Health also mentions that quality assurance is available through independent groups such as ConsumerLab.com, NSF International, and the United States Pharmacopeia. So, look for companies with seals of these groups, as they show the item has passed rigorous quality testing.
Should You Take A Prenatal During Postpartum
The short answer is yes you should continue taking your prenatal during postpartum, especially if you are breastfeeding or planning on having another child.
While a diet rich in nutrients is ideal, continuing your prenatal supplement can helpfill any nutritional gaps, support your energy levels, and boost your immune system.
While any of the below prenatal supplements could work well for postpartum, if youre looking for a postpartum-specific supplement, Ritual makes a Postnatal vitamin that is specially designed for nursing and postpartum mothers.
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What Are Prenatal Vitamins Exactly And Why Do They Matter
Prenatal vitamins are a multivitamin specifically formulated for someone who is pregnant or trying to have a baby, explains Katharine O’Connell White, MD, an associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Boston University and the author of Your Guide to Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss. They have specific amounts of nutrients and minerals that are safe for pregnant people. For example, certain ones need to be taken in lower doses when pregnant because consuming too much can harm the developing fetus, Dr. White explains.
On the other hand, sometimes prenatals will have more of certain nutrients, such as folic acid, which prevents some birth defects, or iron, which prevents anemia, a common symptom during pregnancy.
