Prenatal Vitamins

One of the most important factors of a healthy pregnancy is a well-balanced diet. In order to take every necessary precaution towards the growth and development of a healthy unborn child, a mother-to-be must carefully monitor her daily intake of nutrients including a plethora of essential vitamins and minerals. In addition, many women who are in the process of attempting to become pregnant would benefit from carefully overseeing their intake of these nutrients. There are specific vitamin supplements available on the market today that cater to the dietary needs of both a mother who is expecting and the unborn child in her womb. These carefully prepared multivitamins are known as prenatal vitamins. It is the widespread belief of most practicing physicians and midwives that prenatal vitamins are an essential supplement to coordinate into a well-balanced diet for a woman who is expecting.

As a result of the widespread production of these supplements, an expecting mother must choose carefully when purchasing her prenatal vitamins. Unfortunately, not all of the prenatal vitamins on the market today contain the generally recommend dosages of the various vitamins and minerals essential to maintain a healthy pregnancy. In particular, it is important for the supplements to contain folic acid, iron, and calcium.

The most effective prenatal vitamins should contain between 800 and 1,000 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid. This vital nutrient is believed by the majority of medical professionals to significantly decrease the risk of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. Though folic acid is found in a variety of nuts, citrus fruits, and green vegetables, most medical professionals agree that the naturally occurring folic acid in foods is more difficult for the body to process than the concentrated amounts found in a prenatal vitamin.

The content of iron in the most beneficial prenatal vitamins should fall between 27 and 60 milligrams (mg). The iron supplement serves the important task of oxygenating the blood of both mother and unborn child. Pregnant women who neglect their iron intake are at risk of developing anemia.

The daily recommended amount of calcium for a mother-to-be is approximately 1,000 milligrams (mg), and it will rarely be satisfied by a prenatal vitamin alone. The amount of calcium found in most prenatal vitamins usually falls somewhere between 100 and 200 milligrams (mg). As calcium is crucial for bone growth, a mother-to-be must take extra care to incorporate it into her diet.