- With Mayo Clinic certified nurse-midwife
Mary M. Murry, R.N., C.N.M.
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Mary M. Murry, R.N., C.N.M.
Mary M. Murry, R.N., C.N.M.
Mary Murry is a certified nurse-midwife in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
Murry, a Cincinnati native, has been a nurse-midwife practitioner for more than 20 years and is an instructor at the College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic. She was a contributing reviewer and writer of the "Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy" book.
Her research interests include adult female survivors of sexual abuse, women's perception of pain in labor, and obesity in pregnancy.
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Pregnancy and you blog
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Feb. 9, 2011
Prenatal vitamins: Are they really necessary?
By Mary M. Murry, R.N., C.N.M.
I'd like to think that I have a perfect diet. However, I'm well aware of the M&Ms that pass my lips every day, and I could stand to eat more iron-rich foods. You're probably in touch with your own diet shortcomings, too. During pregnancy, though, you're likely to become more conscious of what and how much you eat. Enter prenatal vitamins.
I'm not sure of many pills larger than traditional prenatal vitamins. Here's a pregnant woman, fighting nausea and expected to swallow a pill the size of her thumb and then keep it down! Still, prenatal vitamins help you get enough folic acid, iron and other essential nutrients. If you're on a special diet — such as gluten free, vegetarian or vegan — or have other specific needs, your health care provider may recommend other nutritional supplements.
There's an important caveat, though. Prenatal vitamins aren't meant to replace the nutrients you get from food. They just make sure you don't fall short on key nutrients.
If you're having trouble taking prenatal vitamins — or keeping them down — it might help to take the vitamins at night or with a snack. You might also chew gum or suck on hard candy afterward. If the vitamins seem to make you constipated, remember to drink plenty of water. It might also help to include more fiber in your diet and get regular physical activity.
What have you experienced with prenatal vitamins? Please share!
9 comments posted
July 1, 2011 6:27 a.m.
Matthew, you are right that most vitamins have the same supplements as prenatal vitamins. It is often the amounts that are different so look at both things. The folic acid is most important. Regarding protein other than meat such as eggs, peanut butter, soy milk, yogurt and beans. Often our preferences change with pregnancy so she may turn out to love milk during pregnancy. Good luck.
- Mary @ Mayo
June 21, 2011 6:38 p.m.
Hi Mary, My wife and I are in the planning stages of her pregnancy. I'm trying to figure out the best pre-natal vitamins for her. I've noticed that many multi-vitamins have the same supplements as the pre-natals, plus additional vitamins and minerals. Should she be taking both? One over the other? Another wrinkle, she does not really eat meat ever (not a vegetarian, just doesn't like meat) and I've never seen her drink milk. What should I do to make sure she's getting optimal nutrition leading up the pregnancy? I admit, I will over-obsess about this, but hey, that's my job as her husband. Any advice you have would be much appreciated! Thank you very much.
- Matthew
June 6, 2011 8:45 a.m.
Sheena, the current recommendations for folic acid is 400-800mcg a day. I think you can take 2 tablets of 400mcg a day if you would like. Mary-Ann, you should be taking a prenatal supplement every day.
- Mary @ Mayo.com
May 27, 2011 1:52 p.m.
hi...i am 3 weeks after conception pregnant..i m taking 'nature made- folic acid(400 mcg)since one month.no complications..so may i continue the same dose???? or May i start taking 800mcg now?can i take 2 tablets of 400mcg instead of 800mcg folic acid???as i hv bought a big bottle of 400mcg tabs ,n now dont want them to go waste. (
- SHEENA
May 4, 2011 11:37 a.m.
Im 15, and only a week and a half pregenet.... should i get on pre-natal vits.???
- Mary-Ann
March 6, 2011 9:47 a.m.
I agree with Pamela. I took JuicePlus+ in place of going thru chemo for breast cancer. It's the best way to add more fruits and vegetables to ones diet created by God not a drug company. You can't much improve on God.
- Pat
March 2, 2011 11:17 a.m.
I took them with my first pregnancy, it was the worst pregnancy ever... I was sick and/or swollen pretty much for 8months... my second pregnancy, I opted not to take my prenatals...(they made me very sick)... I took Juice plus and my coenzyme b12 supplement... and that was it... had a wonderfully easy pregnancy, although both of my deliveries were csections(the first of which was an emergency c-section) my 2nd was scheduled I felt great after... my 2nd, my first not so much...
- Pamela
February 21, 2011 1:29 p.m.
You might switch to a regular prenatanl
- mary @ Mayo
February 18, 2011 4:57 p.m.
Can I continue to take my regular women's mulit-vitamin and .8mcg of folic acid or should I switch to pre-natals?
- Gloria
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