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Prenatal vitamins: Give your baby the best start
When should I start taking prenatal vitamins?
It's best to start taking prenatal vitamins three months before conception. The baby's neural tube, which becomes the brain and spinal cord, develops during the first month of pregnancy — perhaps before you even know that you're pregnant.
How long should I take prenatal vitamins?
It's best to take prenatal vitamins throughout your entire pregnancy, preferably with water or juice — not milk or soda. Your health care provider may recommend taking prenatal vitamins while you're breast-feeding, too.
Do prenatal vitamins have any side effects?
Some women feel queasy after taking prenatal vitamins. In other cases, the iron in prenatal vitamins contributes to constipation.
If prenatal vitamins seem to trigger nausea:
- Take your prenatal vitamin at night
- Take your prenatal vitamin with a snack
- Chew gum or suck on hard candy after taking your prenatal vitamin
If you're struggling with constipation:
- Drink plenty of water
- Include more fiber in your diet
- Include physical activity in your daily routine, as long as you have your health care provider's OK
- Ask your health care provider about using a stool softener
If these tips don't seem to help, ask your health care provider about other options. He or she may recommend another type of prenatal vitamin or separate folic acid, calcium and iron supplements.
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- Gillen-Goldstein J, et al. Nutrition in pregnancy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
- Sackey JA. Preconception evaluation and counseling. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
- Hochberg L, et al. Prevention of neural tube defects. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
- Smith JA, et al. Treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (hyperemesis gravidarum and morning sickness). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
- Problems of the digestive system. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp120.cfm. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
- Mulligan ML, et al. Implications of vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy and lactation. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In press. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
- Dietary supplement fact sheet: Calcium. Office of Dietary Supplements. http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/factsheets/calcium.asp#h2. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
- Newton ER. Breast-feeding. In: Gabbe SG. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/172388158-3/919406837/1528/222.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06930-7..50024-4--cesec13_1113. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
- Shah PS, et al. Effects of prenatal multimicronutrient supplementation on pregnancy outcomes: A meta-analysis. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2009;180:E99.
- Oken E. Risks and benefits of fish consumption and fish oil supplements during pregnancy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
- Murry MM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 9, 2009.
- Zeratsky KA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 14, 2009.
- Katz VL. Prenatal care. In: Gibbs RS, et al. Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008. http://www.danforthsobgyn.com/pt/re/gibbs/bookcontent.01337156-10th_Edition-3.htm;jsessionid=LmgGBL4YrB0TM6wv5ngGzCst3JQhQkLpzkzgSjyy5Gq4Z8nSYyVv!-1668553605!181195629!8091!-1!1260806308613. Accessed Dec. 14, 2009.
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