Prenatal Vitamins are dietary supplements specifically formulated for women who are pregnant or trying to conceive. They provide essential vitamins and minerals needed to support a healthy pregnancy and the development of the fetus.

Key Components and Benefits:

• Folic Acid: This is a crucial B vitamin that helps prevent neural tube defects (NTDs), which are serious birth defects of the brain and spinal cord. It’s recommended to take 400 to 600 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid per day, starting one to three months before trying to conceive and continuing through the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
• Iron: Helps red blood cells deliver oxygen to the fetus. It plays a key role in helping your body make the extra blood needed to support a fetus. You should aim for at least 27 milligrams (mg) per day during pregnancy.
• Calcium: Taking calcium during pregnancy helps build strong bones and teeth for the baby. It also helps preserve your own bone density. If you’re older than 19, you need at least 1,000 mg of calcium per day.
• Vitamin D: Helps absorb the calcium that builds a fetus’s bones and teeth. It also helps with eyesight and skin health. You need at least 600 international units (IUs) of vitamin D a day.
• Other Potential Ingredients: Some prenatal vitamins may also include DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), a type of omega-3 fatty acid for healthy brain development, and other vitamins and minerals.

When to Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins:

Ideally, you should start taking prenatal vitamins one to three months before trying to conceive. Healthcare providers generally recommend taking a prenatal multivitamin if there’s any chance you could get pregnant. This is mainly because some of the most common birth defects develop before some women even know they’re pregnant.¹