Since January 6-12, 2013 was designated as Folic Acid Awareness week, this post will examine the important components of prenatal vitamins, when to start taking them as well as some of the side effects that may occur.

Prenatal vitamins contain many different vitamins and minerals, but the three most important components are folic acid, iron and calcium.

Folic acid: Folic acid is a B-vitamin that is necessary for your baby’s cell growth. Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects, which are rare disorders where the brain and spinal cord fail to form properly. Two common and serious neural tube defects are spina bifida and anencephaly. When folic acid is taken before and during pregnancy, 50 to 70 percent of neural tube defects can be prevented. Your baby’s neural tube (which will become the brain and the spinal cord) develops during the first month of pregnancy, when you might not even know you are pregnant.

Iron: The iron in red blood cells helps carry oxygen to your organs, tissues and your baby. During pregnancy, you need more iron in your diet to support the growth of your baby and to produce extra blood. The recommended amount of iron during pregnancy is 27 milligrams, which can be found in most prenatal vitamins. Iron also helps prevent anemia, a condition in which blood lacks adequate healthy red blood cells.

Calcium: Calcium is important to help maintain your bone density, especially since you will be carrying extra weight in the second and third trimester. Calcium is also important for the development of your baby’s tissues and bones.

When should I start taking prenatal vitamins?

We recommend that you start taking prenatal vitamins about three months before you start trying to conceive and definitely once you stop using contraception, as the amount of time it takes to conceive varies greatly from person to person. If you become pregnant before you start taking prenatal vitamins, you should start taking them immediately once you find out you are pregnant as there are still benefits to be had.

What kind of prenatal vitamin should I take?

There are many different brands of prenatal vitamins and you should speak with your health care provider to see if he/she has a recommendation for you. Prenatal vitamins also come in different forms – capsule, soft gel, liquid or chewable. Many prenatal vitamins are available over-the-counter at your local pharmacy, but there are some that need a prescription. Depending on your circumstances or health/pregnancy history, your health care provider might recommend that you take a separate or additional supplement.

Will I experience any side effects from taking prenatal vitamins?

Some women feel queasy after taking prenatal vitamins. Taking your vitamins with a snack or before you go to bed at night can help reduce queasiness. Constipation can also be a side effect you experience from taking prenatal vitamins. Some ways to prevent constipation include: drinking more fluids, eating more fiber and integrating physical activity into your daily routine (as long as it is okay with your health care provider). If these techniques do not help, you may want to talk to your health care provider about using a stool softener.

For other things to consider if you are planning pregnancy, read this post on “Preparing to Conceive.”

For both parents:

• Visit your obstetrician or health care provider at least once. At this appointment, you can discuss your medical history, ask questions and find out if any tests are recommended. This visit is especially important if you have had problems with a previous pregnancy. If you are taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs, be sure to tell your health care provider.
• Stop using birth control. Talk with your health care provider about how long you should wait before trying to conceive.
• Stop smoking, drinking alcohol or taking street drugs. All of these substances, when used by the mother, can cause problems with the pregnancy and even birth defects.
• Avoid toxic substances, chemicals and radiation at home or at work. Exposure to these by either partner can make it more difficult to become pregnant and can harm the fetus.
• Ask your parents if there is a family history of problem pregnancies or birth defects. If you have reason to be concerned about a genetic disorder or inherited disease, you may wish to consult a genetic counselor.

For women only:

• Try to achieve your normal weight before attempting pregnancy. It’s important not to be underweight or overweight during pregnancy. Do not diet during pregnancy or while you are trying to become pregnant.
• Get plenty of exercise before you get pregnant. Exercise can help improve your chances of having a comfortable and active pregnancy. Moderate activity while you are pregnant can help with potential problems such as back pain and gaining too much weight.
• Build healthy eating habits. Consuming nutrient-dense foods before and during pregnancy is one way to start eating healthier. Nutrient-dense foods provider high amounts of vitamins, minerals and protein that are relative to caloric content.
• Make sure to get enough of folic acid on a daily basis. Birth defects of the spine and brain, such as Spina bifida and anencephaly, can occur if the mother does not get sufficient folic acid during the first few weeks of her pregnancy. Folic acid is contained in many foods during the first few weeks of her pregnancy. It is ideal to start a prenatal vitamin with folic acid and DHA (Omega 3 fatty acids) three months before you start trying to conceive or if you have a positive pregnancy test and have not been taking one.
• If you have diabetes, make sure it is being treated. Although women with insulin-dependent diabetes have a higher risk of miscarriage and of having a baby with a birth defect, if the blood sugar is controlled before and during the pregnancy, chances for delivering a healthy baby are excellent.
• If you have never been vaccinated for rubella (German Measles) or had rubella, it may be advisable to be vaccinated prior to becoming pregnant. If you do get vaccinated, you should delay trying to get pregnant for three months. You should not get vaccinated during pregnancy. If contracted during pregnancy, rubella can cause birth defects.
• Avoid eating undercooked meat or seafood, handling cat litter boxes and playing in sandboxes. These are known sources of toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that can seriously affect the fetus.

Planning a pregnancy can be an exciting time and the tips above can help prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby. For more information, visit the pre-pregnancy section on our Web site or schedule a preconception appointment with your health care provider.

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