Lots of different prenatal vitamin types are available on the market. According to the Mayo Clinic , pregnant and adult women need 1, milligrams mg of calcium daily. Prenatal vitamins typically have between and mg of calcium. Calcium is important for all women because it keeps their bones strong. Folic acid. Taking in enough folic acid is linked with reducing neural tube defects like spina bifida.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant women and those trying to get pregnant take in micrograms mcg of folic acid every day from all sources. Since it may be difficult to get this much folic acid from foods alone, a supplement is recommended. Foods that have folic acid also known as folate include beans, leafy green vegetables, asparagus, and broccoli. Many fortified foods including cereal, bread, and pasta have folate too.
This mineral is necessary to create new red blood cells in the body. Because a woman increases her blood volume during pregnancy, iron is a must-have. According to the Mayo Clinic , pregnant women need 27 mg of iron a day. Always talk with your doctor before starting to take prenatal vitamins. While you can buy prenatal vitamins over the counter, doctors can prescribe them too.
Women who are carrying multiples, pregnant teenagers, and pregnant women with a history of substance abuse have a higher risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Prenatal vitamins are particularly important for these women.
Also, talk to your healthcare practitioner. She may be able to recommend a different prenatal supplement. Taking a lot of iron can lead to constipation , which is already a problem for many pregnant women. If you're not anemic, it may make sense for you to switch to a prenatal vitamin with less iron.
Otherwise, try to ease constipation by:. Learn about the basics of a healthy pregnancy diet. BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world.
When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing.
Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. Practice bulletin Neural tube defects. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Office of Dietary Supplements. Nutrition in Pregnancy. Join now to personalize. Photo credit: iStock. What are prenatal vitamins? Benefits of prenatal vitamins Prenatal vitamin ingredients - what to look for?
What other nutrients should I look for in a prenatal supplement? When should I start taking prenatal vitamins? Choosing a prenatal vitamin - what's right for me?
What if I mistakenly take two prenatal vitamins on the same day? What if I have trouble swallowing the pills? Do prenatal vitamins have side effects? Benefits of prenatal vitamins Most women can benefit from taking a prenatal vitamin and mineral supplement preferably before trying to conceive.
This includes women who: Are vegetarians or vegans Are lactose intolerant or have other food intolerances Smoke or abuse other substances Have certain blood disorders Have an eating disorder Have certain chronic diseases Have had gastric bypass surgery Are having twins or higher multiples. Due Date Calculator. Start taking folic acid at least 1 month before becoming pregnant and continue throughout your pregnancy to lower the risk of birth defects in the brain or spine.
Folate is found naturally in many foods like leafy green vegetables, fortified cereals, and rice along with nuts and beans. Even if you maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet, it is best to fortify your folic acid levels with supplements. Between — micrograms is recommended each day, but you should check with Dedicated to Women ObGyn about your best dose before starting any new type of regimen. Always helpful to build strong bones, calcium is especially beneficial during pregnancy.
If your baby is lacking in calcium, he or she will get it from you, so it is important to maintain mg a day to prevent your own bone loss. The flu vaccine is strongly recommended for any pregnant woman. The flu shot is safe during any trimester. Get the shot and not the nasal spray. At some point in your pregnancy, you might want to eat absolutely nothing. At another point, you might want to eat everything in sight. The registered dietitians at Novant Health WomanCare can help you develop a good pregnancy diet, and can answer your questions about good nutrition during pregnancy.
While pregnant, you are at a higher risk for food-borne illnesses. Wash hands and surfaces often, cook foods thoroughly, keep raw and prepared foods separate, and never eat refrigerated foods that have been allowed to get warm or cooked foods that have cooled outside of a refrigerator. Limit fish consumption to 12 ounces per week. Avoid tuna steaks, but up to 6 ounces of canned tuna can be eaten each week.
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