A developing baby inside the mother’s womb requires a lot of certain nutrients to ensure healthy development. Even if a mother observes a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet, their body requires more key nutrients per serving than a non-pregnant person. A balanced diet alone cannot suffice their increased need for essentials to support a healthy pregnancy.
Benefits Of Prenatal Vitamins
Moreover, prenatal dietary supplements for pregnant women reduce the risk of complications for both the baby and the mother, such as preterm birth, low birth weight, neural tube defects, and various congenital disorders. Combined with regular prenatal care, taking prenatal dietary supplements delivers prenatal supplements tailored for the mother and the growing baby inside the womb. This is why a healthcare provider, especially an OB-GYN, will always prescribe additional prenatal vitamins to fill in the nutrient gaps and avoid nutrient deficiencies. But what is the best prenatal vitamin out there? And when can a pregnant woman start taking these vitamins?
The thing is, gone were those days when patients followed doctors’ orders blindly. We can freely gain information about various drugs on the internet, and many people veto the idea of taking prenatal supplements that contain 100% artificial ingredients. There is always that fear of not being able to dissolve the capsules entirely or feeling the side effects of such laboratory-made resources.
If you have the same sentiment, then you should ask your OB-GYN right away whether you can take any of this list of best prenatal vitamins below.
Finding The Best Prenatal Vitamins For Expectant Mothers
Getting the right dietary supplements to aid your body during the physically difficult and demanding stage of your motherhood journey is a must. However, since each person is different, your specific needs may be a little different to other expectant mothers. With that said, it is crucial to consider several factors.
Identifying The Prenatal Vitamins That Are Best For You
First, you need to consult your healthcare providers, specifically your OBGYN, to understand the exact nutritional needs of your pregnancy. The key nutrients you need at this stage include folic acid, vitamin D, and calcium. These three are crucial for your well-being and for your child’s development.
You can also consider gummies, capsules, or whatever you feel most comfortable with. The idea is to choose prenatal vitamins that are easy for you to stay consistent with.
Not All Prenatal Vitamins Are The Same
More importantly, check the labels of your prospective supplements for third-party certifications such as USP or NSF. These certifications ensure product quality and safety. Read reviews, compare brands, and consider any personal dietary restrictions or allergies. Ultimately, the best prenatal vitamins important to take are those that align with your individual needs and are recommended by your healthcare provider.
Best Prenatal Vitamins For Expectant Mothers
Mama Bird Prenatal Multi+
For mothers who cannot easily absorb folic acid, Mama Bird has you covered. This brand created one of the best prenatal supplements on the market, which contains methylate folate as the main ingredient. A straightforward explanation for this compound is that it is an active form of folate. Because of that, your body can use the prenatal vitamins more efficiently.
Nordic Naturals With DHA
An excellent match for the previous prenatal supplements is the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) most prenatal supplements created by Nordic Naturals. The compound allows the central nervous system, the retina, and the skin to develop well. Since it is an omega-3 fatty acid, however, it entails that your body cannot produce it naturally. Hence, doctors encourage expectant mothers to take them instead of pill form.
New Chapter Perfect Prenatal Multivitamin
If you experience an upset stomach from the moment you get pregnant, the best over-the-counter prenatal supplements for you come from New Chapter. These prenatal vitamins contain probiotics, an active living culture that can inhabit your digestive system and push harmful microorganisms down the day. Furthermore, they have whole-food ingredients and other important nutrient resources that may regularize your metabolism.
Vitamin Code Raw Multivitamin
Vitamin Code highlights the truth that its prenatal pills consist only of raw, whole-food-based resources. In general, this is a plus for people who love all things organic. You get vitamins B complex, D, C, and E, as well. If you are allergic to grains, nuts, seeds, and other foods, you may wish to tap out and search for another source of extra nutrition.
Rainbow Light One Multivitamins
Considering you are a vegetarian or gluten intolerant, the prenatal supplement you may want to pay attention to is the Prenatal One from Rainbow Light. The product does not contain gluten-free ingredients from animals or gluten-containing materials that might trigger your food sensitivity. Not to mention, it comprises foods that strengthen the bones and improve your skin condition.
Vitafusion Prenatal Gummy Multivitamins
If you cannot stomach even the soft gels that glide down faster than regular capsules, you are free to try Vitafusion’s products in gummy form. These gummy prenatal vitamins are no different in appearance from the chewy candies you can buy from the stores. You’ll be able to taste the lemony and raspberry flavorings as well. Their distinguishable factor, however, is that they contain folate and prenatal multi-DHA, which pregnant mommas need.
One A Day Women’s Prenatal Multivitamins
Last but not least, the top prenatal vitamins before, during, and after giving birth come from One A Day Women. It provides sufficient folic acid, DHA, and various nutrients to nourish the baby in your womb. Post-delivery helps you regain your vigour and strengthen you for the likely sleepless nights ahead.
The Takeaway
A prenatal supplement is a must because there are plenty of food choices you cannot or will not eat while pregnant. If you have a hard time getting prenatal nutrients from the foods you consume, then you should get them at least from the best prenatal supplements.
Prenatal vitamins are important for preventing pregnancy complications and ensuring the health of both mother and baby. They provide essential nutrients, including pantothenic acid, which supports energy production and hormone synthesis. Many women prefer gummy vitamins for their convenience and taste. Fish oil is a common additional supplement recommended during pregnancy for its omega-3 fatty acids, crucial for fetal brain development. While prenatal vitamins cover most nutritional needs, a few nutrients may require supplementation based on individual dietary gaps or health conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Prenatal Vitamin Do Doctors Recommend For Healthy Pregnancy?
Doctors typically recommend prenatal supplements with iron, folic acid, calcium, and vitamin D. They can be taken per tablet or as a multivitamin.
How Much Do Prenatal Vitamins Cost?
The average cost is $0.30 per day, but the price may go up or down, depending on the manufacturer.
Are Prescription Prenatal Vitamins Best?
Prescription prenatal vitamins are often tailored to meet specific needs and may provide all the necessary nutrients with a focus on adequate intake.
Can I Get Free Prenatal Vitamins?
Vitamin Angels is an organization that provides free prenatal supplements to less fortunate pregnant women. You should make an appointment with them to know if you qualify.
What Are The Ideal Prenatal Vitamins To Take?
Some of the best prenatal vitamins are supplemental folic acid, calcium, zinc, and iron supplements. You should also take vitamins D, A, and B complex to keep yourself and your baby healthy. You can check this page to get the top favorite brands in the market: HealthLine.com.
When Should Pregnant Women Start Taking Dietary Supplements?
You should start taking prenatal vitamins as soon as you start trying to conceive. This way, the fetus can get the nutrients from the beginning. Fortunately, there are many good options out there, and you can find a specific trimester prenatal support pack depending on the stage of your pregnancy.
Can You Take Prenatal Vitamins On An Empty Stomach?
That is highly discouraged. For better nutrient absorption and to avoid unwanted and annoying side effects such as upset stomach, it is best to take prenatal supplements with food after a meal. Prenatal vitamins should also be washed down with a full glass of water.
Do Dietary Supplements Make You More Fertile?
No, not even the top prenatal vitamins can boost your fertility. The only thing they can do is lessen your chances of experiencing health complications throughout the pregnancy.
Can Multivitamins Give Expectant Mothers More Energy?
Yes, taking them can boost your energy levels. The simple explanation is that they supply all the nutrients that the body needs to be healthy, so you may feel more energetic than ever.
What Happens If You Miss A Day Of Prenatal Vitamins?
Forgetting to take the prenatal vitamins for a day may not affect your health much. You should not make up for it by taking two of everything the next day because doing so may overdose on you.
Are All Prenatal Vitamins FDA Approved?
Not all prenatal vitamins are FDA-approved, but many prenatal vitamins undergo rigorous testing to ensure safety and efficacy.
What Happens If You Don’t Take Prenatal Supplements While Pregnant?
Nothing much happens if you don’t take one while you are pregnant. However, a lot of doctors recommend them to ensure that moms get a sufficient supply of nutrients throughout the pregnancy.
What Are The Side Effects Of These Supplements?
They do not usually have side effects. However, a few mothers have experienced constipation, nausea, stomach cramps, and even a lack of appetite while taking iron supplements.
Yes, B vitamins, including vitamin B12 and vitamin B6, are good for fetal development. They support the baby’s brain development and prevent birth defects.
Vitamin K and omega-3 fatty acids are essential for fetal brain development, providing vital nutrients necessary for cognitive growth.
Last Updated on May 13, 2023 by Bernadine Racoma
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