Did you know that 3% of all babies will be born with birth defects in the United States? This ends up being 120,000 babies per year.
Every woman dreams of having a healthy pregnancy and baby, but it is not always in their control. What you can control is taking prenatal vitamins to help lessen the risk of a birth defect.
Wondering when to start taking prenatal vitamins? Keep reading to find out.
The Importance of Prenatal Vitamins
Prenatal vitamins contain the daily minerals and vitamins a new mother needs before and during their pregnancy. This means your baby will be getting what they need to grow healthy as well.
Taking a prenatal vitamin before pregnancy might help some women reduce morning sickness and other nausea symptoms.
When to Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins
Knowing when to start taking prenatal vitamins is beneficial for anyone trying to become pregnant or someone who is already pregnant. In general, once you start trying to conceive, it’s a good idea to start taking vitamins.
If you are actively trying to get pregnant, take prenatal vitamins at least one month before pregnancy.
Once pregnant, take supplements during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. This timeframe is beneficial for the baby’s development.
The best way to find out when to start prenatal vitamins is by asking your healthcare provider. Most will recommend that you continue prenatal vitamins throughout the pregnancy.
If you choose to breastfeed, a provider might also recommend continuing supplements until you finish breastfeeding.
Provider’s recommendations will depend on your diet, bloodwork, and overall health history. They might prescribe you additional minerals or vitamins to supplement a prenatal vitamin.
For example, if you have an iron deficiency, you can take Citranatal 90 DHA in addition to your regular prenatal vitamin.
Prenatal Vitamins vs. Multivitamins
Taking supplements during pregnancy is different than taking a regular multivitamin, but how? Prenatal vitamins are made specifically for pregnant women or those trying to get pregnant.
Knowing what vitamins to take while pregnant is key as there are different prenatal vitamins. The most general prenatal vitamin contains the recommended levels of iron and folic acid to support a pregnancy.
A prenatal vitamin that contains folic acid should be taken every day because it’s hard to get enough on diet alone.
Your body will need to make extra blood to support a developing placenta and baby during the pregnancy. This is why even those without an iron deficiency can benefit from a prenatal vitamin with iron in it.
Multivitamins are beneficial during pregnancy but aren’t made specifically for pregnant women like a prenatal vitamin is.
Having a Healthy Pregnancy and Healthy Baby
For every soon-to-be mom, having a healthy pregnancy and baby is a top priority. Diet alone is not going to be enough to gain all of the necessary vitamins and minerals during pregnancy.
While pregnant, you’ll be making healthy habits for two. Knowing when to start taking prenatal vitamins is key to a healthy pregnancy.
Take what you learned from this guide and ask your provider for recommendations. For more posts like this, check out the other articles on our blog.