Prenatal vitamins have gained popularity in the past few years, due in large part to the plethora of benefits they provide to both the mother and the developing fetus.
Women who take prenatal vitamins during pregnancy are more likely to have safer pregnancies and deliver healthier babies.
Typically, maintaining a healthy diet is how you ensure you’re getting all of the essential vitamins and nutrients your body needs. However, during pregnancy, you may fall short on certain vital nutrients.
If you are pregnant, prenatal vitamins are a great way to ensure you are getting all of the vitamins you and your growing baby need.
Why Should You Use Prenatal Vitamins During Pregnancy?
During pregnancy, your body requires greater amounts of vitamins and minerals in order to sustain you and make sure your baby has everything he or she needs to develop.
Most notably, your body needs greater amounts of iron and folic acid in order to help your fetus develop as healthy as possible. Folic acid helps to resist potential neural tube defects, while iron is required to support the development of the placenta and fetus.
Benefits of Prenatal Vitamins
Many prenatal vitamins contain the following:
- Folic Acid
- Calcium
- Iron
- Omega 3-DHA
- Vitamin B6, and much more
Folic Acid
Folic acid acts as a protective shield for both the mother and the fetus during different stages of pregnancy. Folic acid is one prenatal vitamin that can boost the fertility of women.
Usually, doctors advise taking folic acid during the first three months of pregnancy. It is recommended to take 800mg of folic acid throughout the duration of your pregnancy.
Benefits of Folic Acid:
Here are a few benefits of Folic Acid:
- Deals with congenital abnormalities
- Improves fertility in women
- Supports brain functions during the development of the fetus
- Inhibits the neural tube from causing deficits in the fetus
Calcium
Calcium is another crucial prenatal vitamin that offers a wide range of benefits to the fetus. It is a mandatory requirement for the mother as it strengthens muscles and bones.
Calcium is also crucial for the development of the bones of the fetus during pregnancy.
A pregnant woman should take almost 1200mg per day.
Benefits of Calcium:
- Keeps the heart rate regulated
- Provides strength to the muscles and bones of both the mother and baby
Iron
Iron is another essential ingredient of prenatal supplements, and it is crucial for women during pregnancy.
Iron promotes the nutrient transport mechanism in the mother and fetus. After conception, you should be taking approximately 30mg of iron per day.
Benefits of Iron:
- Produces hemoglobin in the body
- Defends the body against anemia
- Helps to maintain a healthy immune system
Omega 3-DHA
Omega 3-DHA is among the vital ingredients found in prenatal vitamins, and is an abundant fatty acid located in our brain.
If our brain does not get enough Omega 3-DHA, then a slew of issues may occur during fetal development.
After conceiving, doctors recommend taking 200mg per day of Omega 3-DHA.
Benefits of Omega 3-DHA
- Aids in brain development of the fetus
- Creates a healthy nervous system
- Promotes vision ability in babies
