In addition to the news that you are going to become a mother, a pregnancy also means additional consumption of resources from your body. Resources that, as they are consumed, can reach exhaustion. That's why there are many vitamins that the doctor can recommend depending on the case to support the development of the fetus, but also the health of the mother. They are called prenatal vitamins, and in this article we talk about their importance and the benefits they give you.

What are prenatal vitamins?

Prenatal vitamins are supplements rich in vitamins and minerals intended for expectant mothers. Your doctor may recommend prenatal vitamins even before you become pregnant to prepare your body to support a healthy future pregnancy.

During pregnancy, a nutritious and balanced diet is important. However, sometimes the body needs a little help to assimilate various vitamins. Supplements have the role of compensating for the lack of those nutrients that were not absorbed through the diet.

Unlike other multivitamins, prenatal vitamins have a higher content of folic acid and iron, two essential vitamins in pregnancy. They support the healthy development of the fetus, while preventing anemia and reducing the risk of low birth weight.

The most important prenatal vitamins and their benefits

The need for vitamins during pregnancy differs from woman to woman. Each person makes different food choices, absorbs nutrients differently and has a different lifestyle. Depending on your health and unique needs, your doctor can give you the most appropriate recommendations regarding the type and amount of vitamins you need for a healthy pregnancy.

Below we tell you which are the main prenatal vitamins recommended for expectant mothers, and what role each one has:

Vitamin C in pregnancy

During pregnancy, vitamin C is the primary nutrient to maintain cellular health. The generally recommended dose in prenatal vitamins is 80 mg of vitamin C.

It supports gum and bone health, baby's immune system, iron absorption and collagen formation. Studies also indicate a reduced risk of premature placental abruption in women who used a vitamin C supplement during pregnancy.

Vitamin E in pregnancy

Most prenatal vitamins also contain vitamin E, with the general recommendation being 15 mg. Vitamin E has an antioxidant role and protects cell membranes, supporting the formation of a healthy structure and the optimal functioning of the eyes and skin.

Vitamin D in pregnancy

Along with calcium, vitamin D contributes to the development of the bone system of the fetus. It also plays an important role in the metabolic processes that take place in the eyes and skin. It is very important to prevent vitamin D deficiency when you are pregnant to reduce the risk of premature birth, low birth weight or low mineral content in the baby's bones.

Folic acid in pregnancy

Folic acid, or vitamin B9, is one of the most important nutrients during pregnancy. The body does not make its own reserves of vitamin B9, so it is important that it is taken from the diet and, when it is insufficient, from supplements.

Folic acid prevents neural tube defects in the first trimester, when the baby's brain and spinal cord are forming. If you want to know more about how your baby is forming, we talked about pregnancy development by trimesters HERE .

In other words, folic acid reduces the risk of malformations. It also prevents heart disorders and premature birth, having a crucial importance in the healthy development of the fetus.

A dose of 400 mcg (micrograms) of folic acid is recommended from the conception stage, 3 months before becoming pregnant.

Calcium in pregnancy

Nor should calcium be missing from vitamins for pregnant women, the recommended dose being around 1,000 mg. With the help of vitamin D3, it is absorbed to support the bone development of the fetus, but also the bone tissue in the mother's body. In the absence of a balanced consumption of naturally calcium-rich or fortified foods, supplements can ensure an optimal level of this nutrient.

What other vitamins and minerals do prenatal supplements contain?

In addition to the nutrients already listed and explained, here's what other vitamins and minerals are found in prenatal vitamins:

• Vitamin A: Also known as retinol, vitamin A during pregnancy is involved in the process of bone development. But its main role is to support vision and skin health.

• Vitamin B6: contributes to the assimilation of macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates and fats) and the formation of erythrocytes (red blood cells).

• Vitamin B12: in addition to supporting the formation of erythrocytes, it participates in the development of the nervous system.

• Iron: contributes to the development of the placenta and the fetus, while helping the body to produce the blood needed to carry oxygen to the baby. All iron also helps prevent anemia in pregnancy.

• Zinc: participates in the development of the bone, muscle and nervous system, as well as in several metabolic processes.

• Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B7 and B9

• Magnesium

• Selenium

• Iodine

• Fluorine

• Phosphorus

• Sodium

• Potassium

• Copper

Omega-3 fatty acids also play an important role in the development of a child's brain. These are not found in prenatal vitamins, but in foods such as fatty fish. If you can't get enough Omega-3 from your diet, talk to your doctor about a separate supplement to take with your prenatal vitamins.

How do you choose the right pregnancy vitamins for you?

Prenatal vitamins can be taken from the pharmacy without a doctor's prescription, but it is not recommended to do so. Every woman's needs are unique, and so is the development of every pregnancy.

It is recommended that you visit your doctor to investigate and discuss your individual needs, and to create an appropriate vitamin administration plan.

Prenatal vitamins - Administration

Ideally, the administration of prenatal vitamins should begin immediately after the moment of conception, with the onset of pregnancy, on the recommendation of the specialist doctor. Folic acid is recommended even earlier, a few months before a pregnancy. So if you are tracking your fertile period and planning to get pregnant, you can already talk to your doctor about taking vitamin B9.

Moreover, according to statistics, about 50% of pregnancies are unplanned, and occur because the calendar method or other method of contraception did not work. So a daily intake of 400 mcg of folic acid is recommended for all women of reproductive age.

If necessary, the administration of prenatal vitamins can continue during breastfeeding, as many nutrients will end up in the breast milk and will be passed on to the baby.

How long before conception should prenatal vitamins start?

The administration of folic acid is recommended approximately 3 months before a pregnancy. The neural tube of the fetus is formed already in the first months and you may not immediately notice the first signs of pregnancy .

If you're not already taking folic acid, complications can occur. When you already administer it several months in advance, the body has enough time to assimilate and support the harmonious development of the baby from the very beginning.

How long should you take prenatal vitamins for?

Prenatal vitamins are taken according to the doctor's recommendation, starting from (or before) the moment of conception and throughout the pregnancy, to provide the body with the complex of vitamins and minerals necessary to support the months of pregnancy.

In the case of breastfeeding, the doctor may recommend that you continue taking vitamins including in the postpartum period.

Prenatal vitamins - Possible side effects

In general, prenatal vitamins have many benefits. However, there are also cases where side effects can occur, such as nausea. This occurs especially if the vitamins have been taken at a significant interval between meals, and in this case symptoms may improve if you take the vitamins with a meal.

And iron can have the side effect of constipation, which can be prevented with a balanced intake of fluids and fiber, adequate daily exercise, and sometimes even mild laxatives recommended by your doctor.

It is also very important to take the mother's diet into account when choosing prenatal vitamins. If you have a balanced diet and ensure your daily intake of vitamins and minerals only from the diet, without any deficiency, you may not need a multivitamin complex, but only the essential ones.

Always talk to your doctor to choose the best approach for your needs.

Vitamins in pregnancy - opinions PRO and CON

Ideally, a balanced diet should ensure the necessary daily intake of vitamins and minerals in the mother's body during pregnancy. In reality, this does not always happen. Prenatal vitamins are an effective solution to avoid deficiencies and related problems.

There may indeed be negative effects such as nausea or constipation. Another drawback is that due to the high nutrient content, the pills can be large and difficult to swallow for women who already suffer from nausea. If you have this problem, you can opt for pills with smaller doses and sizes, which you can take twice a day. There are also jelly or liquid alternatives, so always discuss any adverse effects with your doctor.

But overall, pregnancy vitamins are very often beneficial because they support the healthy development of the fetus and help the mother's body during the months of pregnancy. Many studies have shown that taking folic acid, vitamin D and other nutrients before pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of birth defects, premature birth, low birth weight, allergies and other health problems after the baby is born.