Safety of Prenatal Vitamins

Before becoming pregnant and especially during pregnancy, your doctor will advise you to start taking prenatal vitamins. You may wonder if they are necessary and how safe they are.

Benefits

Prenatal vitamins contain folic acid, which decreases the possibility of birth defects and the chance of miscarriage.

Prenatal Vitamin vs. Multivitamin

Prenatal vitamins contain a significant amount of folic acid, but they also have a considerable amount of iron and calcium, which multivitamins lack.

Prescription vs. Over-the-Counter Vitamins

The biggest difference between prescription and over-the-counter vitamins is the levels of iron and folic acid, not safety. According to New England OB-GYN Associates, to get the greatest benefit from your prenatal vitamin, make sure the label on the bottle includes the following: 27 milligrams of iron, 800 micrograms of folic acid, and 200 milligrams of DHA.

Side Effects

Adverse effects of prenatal vitamins include nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, and constipation. These effects are the most common complaints reported from pregnant women. You might need to change the time of day when you take the prenatal vitamin, but it is still safe for you and your baby.

Precautions

The safety of prenatal vitamins may become compromised if you have any allergies to the medication. If you experience a rash, cough, shortness of breath, or throat swelling, you need to stop taking the vitamins immediately and contact your doctor. If you already have a child with birth defects, you may need a prenatal vitamin with more folic acid.

References

• New England OB-GYN Associates: When Should I Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins?
• "Lexi-PALS" Drug Guide; Vitamins (Multiple/Prenatal); November 2009