Prenatal VitaminS

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Prenatal Vitamins - Side Effects and Benefits

Prenatal multivitamins are combinations of vitamins and minerals specially formulated for use during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Vitamins and minerals are naturally occurring substances necessary for many processes in the body. Vitamins and minerals are found in the foods we eat.

Pregnancy is recognized as the most nutritionally demanding time of a woman's life. The baby is entirely dependent upon her for all the nourishment it needs to grow and develop healthily. The prenatal vitamins are prescribed by the doctors, for mother's health, and the health of her baby.These are specially formulated multivitamins that make up for any nutritional deficiencies in the mother's diet during pregnancy. While the supplements contain numerous vitamins and minerals, their folic acid, iron, and calcium content are especially important.


The prenatal vitamins include great amounts of specific vitamins that are not provided by other vitamin tablets. The prenatal tablets consist of Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Thiamin, B6, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin E, Zinc, Copper, Panthothenic acid, Potassium, Vitamin A. These are very vital to save your baby from any birth disorders.

Prenatal Vitamins:

Vitamin B6:
Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, aids your body's metabolism of protein , fats , and carbohydrates. It also helps convert amino acids and form new red blood cells, antibodies, and neurotransmitters, and is vital to your fetus's developing brain and nervous system.

Folic acid: The most important supplement to take is folic acid. Folic acid is necessary for the formation of neural tubes and taking it as a supplement will help prevent neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. Neural tube defects develop in the first 28 days after conception, before many women realize they are pregnant. There are natural sources of folic acid: green leafy vegetables, nuts, beans and citrus fruits. It's also found in many fortified breakfast cereals and some vitamin supplements.

Calcium during pregnancy can prevent a new mother from losing her own bone density as the fetus uses the mineral for bone growth.

Iron helps both the mother and baby's blood carry oxygen.

Tips for pregnant women about prenatal vitamins:

These includes:-

• All prenatal vitamins are not containing all of the calcium you need.

• Vitamin A in overdose can cause birth defects, be sure that you're using a prenatal vitamin or a multi-vitamin with under 10,000 IU.

• Too much iron in a prenatal vitamin will not be absorbed properly.

• A women with certain health issues, dietary restrictions, or pregnancy complications definitely need to take a prenatal vitamin.

• The taste and texture of vitamins do bother some women. If you can't keep your prenatal down, consider switching brands.

Side Effects:

Some side-effects may be come in taking prenatal vitamins. These are as:-

• Stop taking prenatal multivitamins and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction.

• The medication may cause Nausea, constipation, black stools, and diarrhea. Taking prenatal multivitamins with food may decrease these side effects.