Thursday, August 16, 2012

Why Prenatal Vitamins Are Important For Soon To Be Mothers

By Celia M. Veerdi


A frequent health care question is if women should take prenatal vitamins before, during, and after pregnancy. The answer is yes, because, although a woman might eat a well balanced diet, vitamins can provide all the essential nutrients that mothers might not have in their regular diets. Many doctors recommend that whenever possible women should take prenatal vitamins before, while, and after getting pregnant to get all the nutrients they need for themselves and the baby.

It may be difficult for women to have all the vitamins they need from their regular diet for various reasons. Some might have dietary limitations, or allergies, that prevent them from eating certain foods. For a larger percentage of women, morning sickness frequently prevents them from being able to take in all the nutrients they needs during their pregnancy.

These kinds of supplements provide the nutrients that women who are trying to have a baby, who get pregnant, or who have recently had a baby. These supplements give women the nutrients they need to reduce the chance of defects, prevent bone density loss, and carry sufficient oxygen in the blood for both mother and child. Some research even shows that prenatal vitamins can decrease the chance of low birth weight in newborns.

Some of these important nutrients, like folic acid, and iron supplements for women, calcium, and vitamin D, are not provided in normal vitamin supplements. Folic acid helps avoid neural tube defects and other severe brain and spinal cord abnormalities. Iron particularly helps fetuses to form properly as it prevents anemia in moms. While mothers are in the third trimester, calcium and vitamin D are especially important since they help babies bones develop well.

In addition to iron supplements, another nutrient that is essential during developmental stages is omega-3, since it promotes fetal brain development. This is particularly the case if a mother chooses, or is unable, to eat fish or other foods high in these acids.

It is easy to understand why prenatal vitamins should be included as a regular part of a woman's daily regimen. Interestingly, in the past they were usually only offered in pill form. Pills are still easy to find for people who want them, but doctors now suggest that patients take forms that are more easily absorbed. Hence capsules are now available in a variety of liquid, soft gel, and other types of capsules.

To get the best supplement to meet your requirements, it is a good idea to consult your family doctor, in addition to researching matters for yourself.




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