How to Choose a Prenatal Vitamin

A balanced diet and good general health is important to everyone, but maintaining proper nutrition is especially vital during pregnancy for both mother and baby. Finding a good prenatal vitamin is a good way to supplement healthy lifestyle choices and ensure a healthy pregnancy. Follow these steps to help find a prenatal vitamin that is right for you.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Discuss your individual health needs and concerns with your obstetrician. Every woman's body and nutritional needs will be different during pregnancy and your obstetrician can help you to address these issues and take them into consideration when choosing a prenatal vitamin. Be sure to mention any family history of birth defects, as this information may affect the kind of vitamin your doctor recommends.

2. Research vitamins and minerals that are especially important for women during pregnancy and be aware of their benefits. Most obstetricians recommend an increased intake of folic acid, vitamins A and D, calcium to help prevent bone density loss, and iron to aid in oxygen production in the blood of both mother and baby.

3. Shop for your prenatal vitamin supplement at several different pharmacies and health stores. This will give you a better understanding of the kinds of supplements available to you and what is contained in each of them.

4. Note the mineral and vitamin content in each supplement and look for high levels of the minerals that are especially important. It is generally recommended that pregnant women take in 30 mg of iron; 400 IU (international units) of vitamin D; 4,000 IU of vitamin A; 300 mg of calcium and between 800 and 1,000 mcg of folic acid daily. Most over the counter prenatal vitamins will contain at least that much of each of the aforementioned vitamins and minerals in addition to other general vitamins for overall daily health.

5. Ask your local pharmacist any questions you have about prenatal supplements and any other prescription or over-the-counter medications you are taking. Most pharmacists will be able to provide you with information about potential side effects or interactions that any of these medications may have with supplements you are considering. Your pharmacist can also give you information regarding general medicines that should be avoided during pregnancy, such as over-the-counter medicines containing aspirin.

6. Consult your obstetrician if your pharmacist notes any potential side effects or interactions between medications you are currently taking and ingredients in the prenatal supplement.

7. Purchase the prenatal vitamin that you feel best fits your needs.

8. Aid in your healthy diet by taking your prenatal vitamin daily along with eating plenty of protein, calcium-rich dairy products and iron-containing leafy greens and vegetables.

Tips & Warnings

• Never begin a health or diet regimen of any kind without consulting your primary care physician first.
• Stop taking your prenatal vitamin if you experience any side effects, changes in your health or other complications. Consult your obstetrician or physician as soon as possible.

Who Can Help:

• Overweight? Lose 30+ lbs without pills or diets- guaranteed
• Arthroscopic Alternative to Spine Surgery- For Back & Neck - Free MRI Review by our Doctors. Get your life back!
• Do you suffer from back pain? Learn more about our Medicare approved back support system. Medicare covers 85% of the cost.