switching to a vitamin with a lower dose of iron. ■ Nausea: Pregnancy and nausea go hand in hand. Nausea that occurs after taking a prenatal vitamin is typically caused by the high iron content. Taking the prenatal vitamin right before bed may be helpful. Another suggestion would be to take the vitamins along with a small snack or meal. Switching to a vitamin with a lower dose of iron is another option. When to Stop Prenatal Vitamins Prenatal vitamins are designed for a moth- er’s increased nutritional needs, but they can also benefit her in the postnatal stage, too. After giving birth, it is recommended for women to continue taking B vitamins and Omega-3 DHA. Mom may continue taking prenatal vitamins or make the swap to a postnatal multivitamin, which has been formulated specifically for the “fourth trimester” time frame of healing. It is a good idea to continue with prenatal or postnatal vitamins until baby is six months old, or if a mother is breastfeeding, until the end of nursing.
■ Calcium and Vitamin D: prevents mater- nal bone loss, reduces the risk of pre-ec- lampsia, supports a healthy immune system. Prenatal Vitamin Benefits for Babies From zygote to blastocyst to embryo to fetus, in-utero babies grow rapidly—expo- nentially each day! The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists notes that during pregnancy, “Eating healthy foods and taking a prenatal vitamin every day should supply all the vitamins and minerals you need during pregnancy.” Conveniently, many of the vitamins and minerals that help maintain mom’s health during pregnancy also help baby grow! ■ Calcium: Builds strong bones and teeth. ■ Choline: Supports cognitive and neural tube development. ■ DHA: Supports fetal cognitive development. ■ Iodine: Essential for healthy brain development. ■ Iron: Helps red blood cells deliver oxygen to baby. ■ Folic Acid: Helps prevent birth defects of the brain and spine.
■ Choline: Develops baby’s brain and spinal cord. ■ Vitamin A: Forms healthy skin and eye sight while also helping with bone growth. ■ Vitamin C: Promotes healthy gums, teeth, and bones. ■ Vitamin D: Builds baby’s bones and teeth. Choosing a Prenatal Vitamin Most prenatal vitamins are rich in all of the key nutrients recommended during preg- nancy, with folic acid and iron being most important. An expensive prenatal vitamin is not superior to a lower cost option. Chat with your OB/GYN and see if they have a recommendation, or even better: a sample or coupon! Tips on Taking Prenatals There are a few fairly common side effects that may occur when taking a prenatal vita- min, but luckily, there are ways to remedy these negative occurrences. ■ Constipation: Iron is the likely culprit that is keeping mom from being regular. Solu- tions include increasing fiber intake, taking a fiber supplement, drinking lots of water, getting moving, taking a stool softener, or
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