Prenatal vitamins are specifically designed to support women while they are pregnant in order to ensure that the baby receives all of the nutrients needed for optimal health. Prenatal formulas are different from regular multi-vitamins as they are higher in some nutrients, such as folic acid and iron, and lower in nutrients such as vitamin A.
In honor of Love Wellness launching Baby Love™, I would like to use my expertise to share some vital tips that can help you understand the ins and outs of prenatal vitamins.
Who needs a prenatal vitamin?
If you are pregnant, you need a prenatal vitamin. If you are considering getting pregnant in the next year, or even two, I would highly recommend that you choose Baby Love™ as your daily multivitamin.
A prenatal is recommended for new mothers and breast-feeding mothers. Prenatal vitamins are also beneficial for any woman that is on the birth control pills or other types of hormonal contraception and IUDs. These forms of birth control deplete the body of B12, B6, folic acid, and magnesium. All of these are usually higher in prenatal vitamins, so they are beneficial for women on birth control.
What does a prenatal do, exactly?
A prenatal vitamin helps to nourish your body with essential vitamins and minerals that improve your health and the health of your baby. A prenatal is going to be high in nutrients that can help prevent birth defects. For example, Baby Love™ contains a high dose of folic acid, which is necessary to prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida in the baby. It is also high in iron, as the mother’s body uses more iron to make more blood while she is pregnant.
Prenatal vitamins will also be low in vitamin A compared to a regular multivitamin. If vitamin A is too high, it could cause birth defects in the baby.
What to look for when buying a prenatal vitamin:
1. Make sure your prenatal has a minimum of 600-800 mcg of folic acid in methylated form.
2. The prenatal should include all the basic vitamins, such as vitamins B12, B6, A, C, E, and D.
3. The prenatal should have the micro and macro minerals, such as iron, calcium, magnesium, selenium, zinc, copper, manganese, iodine, and choline.
4. Chromium is an essential mineral that helps to support blood sugar balance, prevent gestational diabetes, and prevent excessive weight gain.
5. Additional nutrients can help with a variety of pregnancy symptoms. For example, Baby Love™ includes ginger to combat morning sickness as well as cranberry extract to reduce the risk of bladder infection.
What other supplements to Pregnant Women Need?
All pregnant women should also be supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids to help the developing nervous system and immune system of the baby. Each bottle of Baby Love™ comes with a complementary bottle of XOmegas to cover this need.
In summary, prenatal vitamins provide foundational nutritional support for pregnant and breast-feeding women. They are designed to enhance the health of the mother and her baby. Prenatal vitamins do not replace the need for a healthy and well-rounded diet while pregnant and breastfeeding. Always consider that the health of your body during your conception and breastfeeding will be that starting point for the health of your child. The healthier you are, the healthier your baby will be.
You got this!
Dr. Gabrielle Francis
