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Published in Pregnancy on Sep 13th 2024

What to Look for in a Prenatal Vitamin: Folic Acid and Beyond

While eating a well-balanced diet is the best way to get the vitamins and minerals you need during pregnancy, it can be difficult to do so, especially if you have nausea or food aversions. Taking a prenatal vitamin can help fill any gaps, ensuring you and your baby get the nutrients you need to thrive. Here’s what you need to know:

Choosing the Right Prenatal Vitamin

During pregnancy, you need higher doses of specific vitamins, including folic acid. Folic acid can help prevent neural tube defects like spina bifida anencephaly by up to 70%. Over-the-counter prenatal vitamins are available in nearly every pharmacy. Your healthcare provider may recommend a specific brand or leave the choice up to you. Beyond checking for folic acid, you should look for a prenatal vitamin that contains:

• Calcium: Builds strong bones and teeth, as well as helps develop a healthy heart, nerves, and muscles; also reduces the risk of hypertension and preeclampsia
• Vitamin D: Reduces the risk of preeclampsia, low birthweight, and preterm birth
• Vitamin C: Reduces the risk of preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, and maternal anemia
• Vitamin A: Aids in the development of the heart, lungs, kidneys, eyes, and bones, as well as the circulatory, respiratory, and central nervous systems
• Vitamin E: Has strong antioxidant properties, protecting your cell membranes from damage, and contributing to the structure the cells in your body
• B vitamins: Aid in fetal development and reduce the risk of birth defects
• Zinc: Helps reduce the risk of preterm birth
• Iodine: Promotes the production of maternal and fetal thyroid hormones that regulate the development of the fetal brain and nervous system
• Iron: Helps make more blood to supply oxygen to the baby

You may need higher doses of certain vitamins depending on your specific circumstances. For example, if you’ve previously given birth to a baby with a neural tube defect, your doctor may recommend a separate supplement containing a higher dose of folic acid. However, it's crucial to avoid taking more vitamins than what you need. Too much vitamin A, for example, can cause malformations in the fetus that include spina bifida, small or no eyes, cleft palate, absent or deformed ears, and limb deformities.

When to Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins

It's recommended to start taking a prenatal vitamin as soon as you begin trying to conceive. Certain parts of the fetus start developing within the first month of pregnancy, such as the neural tube which later becomes the brain and spinal cord. These developments may occur before you even realize you are pregnant.

Learn More About Prenatal Vitamins

Prenatal vitamins play an important role in pregnancy, ensuring both you and your baby get the necessary nutrients. If you're unsure about which prenatal vitamins are best for you, it's important to consult with your healthcare provider. At Pacific Women's OB/GYN Medical Group, we can evaluate your specific needs and recommend the most suitable prenatal vitamin for you. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment.