When to Take Prenatal Vitamins

As one may imagine, a woman who is expecting has greater nutritional needs than a woman of the same age without a child in the womb. While it is essential for a pregnant woman to pay careful attention to the nutrition she gains through the foods she eats, this alone is not sufficient to ensure that the fetus is receiving all the nutrients they need for healthy development. Scientific studies have determined that one of the major causes of birth defects is a deficiency of essential vitamins and minerals, including folic acid. One devastating example is the unfortunate possibility of neural tube defects, which are characterized by severe irregularities of the brain and spinal cord, caused by an unborn child’s deficiency of folic acid. It is therefore, a necessary precaution to invest in a multivitamin specifically formulated to provide nutrients for mother and unborn child. Why risk the possible dangers, when taking prenatal vitamins is such a simple task and it protects the health of your unborn child?

Many mothers-to-be wonder when to take prenatal vitamins. Should they begin the daily vitamin before or after conception? There is little controversy as to whether it is absolutely critical for a woman to take these specialized multivitamins before becoming pregnant. As nutrition is essential for achieving and maintaining a healthy pregnancy, the overwhelming majority of medical professionals recommend that a future mother begin taking a daily prenatal vitamin at least three months prior to conception.

To a person who understands fetal development, the reasoning behind when to take prenatal vitamins is apparent. Oftentimes before the mother-to-be even realizes that a child is on the way, in the first month of the pregnancy, the baby’s neural tube begins to develop. As mentioned above, folic acid plays a significant role in the healthy development of this important anatomical structure, which later develops into the brain and spinal cord. While folic acid is present in some green vegetables, citrus fruits, and nuts, it is extremely difficult to consume enough on a daily basis through the consumption of food alone. Thus, the simplest and most effective precaution against birth defects due to nutrient deficiency is to take prenatal supplements as early as possible.

Lastly, once a woman begins her prenatal vitamin program, it is highly recommended that she continue the regiment throughout the pregnancy. Some physicians even suggest the multivitamins continue through the time of breast-feeding.