At What Point in My Pregnancy Should I Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins?

New research suggests that the earlier you start taking a prenatal, the better. In fact, according to the Mayo Clinic, it is advisable to start taking prenatal vitamins even before conception. Their recommendation goes so far as to suggest prenatal vitamins should be taken by any woman who is of child-bearing age.

Why should someone take prenatal vitamins before pregnancy?

There are many reasons to begin taking a prenatal vitamin before you’ve even picked out a name for your little angel. Along with maintaining a healthy diet, it is recommended that folic acid be taken at least 1 month prior to attempting to conceive a child. This is because those first several weeks of pregnancy are incredibly important for the overall development of the fetus. Moreover, given the nature of conception, many women do not even know they are pregnant until those crucial first weeks have already passed.

Prenatal vitamins usually include more iron and folic acid than traditional multivitamins. That is because folic acid can help reduce the chance of birth defects that impact the spinal cord and brain. In addition, iron aids in the baby’s overall development and growth. Iron contributes to healthy fetal growth by promoting healthy oxygenation of red blood cells. It is also important to maintain adequate iron levels since women are more at risk for deficiency.

However, those are not the only nutrients that are important in fetal development. Vitamin D and calcium, as well as omega-3 fatty acids can be critical in the baby’s development. Omega-3 fatty acids, for instance, are important for expecting mothers who do not consume fish. However, those are not the only nutrients that are important in fetal development. Vitamin D and calcium, as well as omega-3 fatty acids can be critical in the baby’s development. Omega-3 fatty acids, for instance, are important for expecting mothers who do not consume fish. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends getting enough calcium (for strong bones and teeth), iodine (essential for healthy brain development), iron (helps deliver oxygen to the fetus), choline (for development of brain and spinal cord), Vitamin A (forms healthy skin and eyesight), Vitamin C (promotes healthy gums, teeth, and bones), Vitamin D (supports healthy bones and teeth), Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, and folic acid (to support a healthy nervous system).

What are the best prenatal vitamins?

Not all prenatal vitamins are created equal. Some do not contain everything you need or want in your vitamin and it can be hard to tell the difference between all of the vitamins currently on the market. That’s why we formulated the Care/of prenatal vitamin. We formulated our prenatal with chelated minerals like iron, zinc, and boron to make it easy to digest. Chelated minerals are minerals that have been combined with amino acids to form complexes; enhancing absorption in the body

In addition, these prenatal vitamins include 22 active ingredients, some of which are not included in other prenatal vitamins. Nearly 90% - 95% of pregnant women do not get sufficient choline, which is a nutrient that performs various functions in the human body, including cell structure and metabolism. The Care/of prenatal vitamins offer 100mg of Choline, which is considered the adequate daily intake amount.

Finally Care/of follows trends in research when creating products. That means that only the best ingredients are included in our prenatal vitamins. That means only those ingredients which are a benefit to both mom and baby, from conception to cradle. Our formula is unique, making Care/of the best prenatal vitamins you can find. And as a matter of convenience, our prenatal come in daily packs, so you don’t have to separate them out yourself.

Other common questions

What will happen to a man if he takes prenatal vitamins?

There have actually been studies recently performed that looked at whether or not men should take prenatal vitamins as a precursor to their partner’s pregnancy. While the studies are inconclusive, there is still some discussion around determining whether or not an increase in folate for men can help decrease the chance of birth defects. We know it works for women, so we need more research into whether men should be consuming folate before conception as well.

However, what these studies do show is that men should not take prenatal vitamins long term. There are too many negative consequences to men taking these particular vitamins in these particular quantities. Some of the negative effects are due to the iron included in prenatal vitamins. The problem is that these vitamin packs are created to satisfy the needs of pregnant or soon-to-be pregnant women, not men. The daily adequate intake of vitamins and minerals is just not the same for men as it is for women. For example, men need about 18 mg of iron per day, whereas prenatal vitamins include nearly two times that amount. An iron overdose can be lethal. So, for men who are already eating iron-dense foods, taking a prenatal vitamin is not advised.

Why do I sleep so well when I take prenatals?

It is no surprise that you might find you sleep better when taking prenatal vitamins. That is because they often contain many of the vitamins and minerals that are intended to help your overall health. You are getting the recommended doses of vitamins and nutrients that you might’ve been deficient in before getting pregnant.

Why is folic acid important in pregnancy?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is recommended that all women who are of child-bearing age have an intake of 400 mcg of folic acid per day. The consumption of folic acid can help prevent major birth defects, including spina bifida and anencephaly.