During pregnancy, your body needs extra nutrients for a healthy baby. Some of these nutrients are not easily found in food and require supplementation.

Prenatal vitamins provide essentials like calcium, folic acid, vitamin D and choline. You can find them in chewable, gummy or powdered forms at the drugstore.

Reduces Risk of Birth Defects

Prenatal vitamins can reduce the risk of congenital disabilities like spina bifida and anencephaly. These congenital disabilities can be dangerous to a baby.

Women who take folic acid, a B vitamin, before they become pregnant and during pregnancy have a lower risk of these conditions than women who don’t. The best way to get enough folic acid is by eating foods fortified with it or taking a supplement.

One of the importance of prenatal vitamins such as folic acid is it is needed to help prevent neural tube defects like spina bifida and other congenital disabilities of the brain and spinal cord. It’s essential for women who could become pregnant.

Iron is also needed to help support the development of a baby’s brain and ensure a woman has enough Red Blood Cells for a healthy pregnancy and delivery. Iron can also help prevent anemia, a condition in which the body lacks healthy red blood cells. It’s also important to get plenty of calcium in your diet. This helps strengthen a baby’s bones and supports the mother’s bone health throughout pregnancy.

Prevents Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a serious condition that can affect your health and your baby. It can also cause lifelong problems if left untreated.

You can lower your risk of developing preeclampsia by taking a low-dose aspirin (81 milligrams per day) before 20 weeks of pregnancy. It’s also important to talk with your doctor about any risk factors you have.

Having diabetes, chronic high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease can all increase your risk of developing preeclampsia. A family history of high blood pressure and diabetes can also make you more likely to develop the condition.

If you have severe preeclampsia, your doctor will give you medication to help your fetus’s lungs develop and to manage your blood pressure until you can deliver your baby. Your doctor may also recommend a cesarean section, sometimes called a C-section, to prevent complications for you and your baby.

Severe preeclampsia can also lead to hemolysis, when your red blood cells break down, and elevated liver enzymes. The combination of these symptoms is called HELLP syndrome. It is a life-threatening condition and can damage your kidneys, liver and heart.

Prevents Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron is a critical component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that helps carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of your body. If you don’t get enough iron, you could develop iron deficiency anemia, which can cause tiredness, weakness and shortness of breath.

Getting enough iron during pregnancy can help prevent this common condition, which affects men, women and children alike. It can also lower your risk of pre-term delivery and low birth weight for your baby.

You can get enough iron by eating iron-rich foods like lean red meat, poultry, fish and dried beans. You can also take a daily iron supplement.

Pair it with foods high in vitamin C, such as orange juice or tomato juice, to make it easier for your body to absorb iron. You can even drink a glass of water before ingesting the supplements to increase their absorption.

If you’re concerned about your iron levels, ask your doctor for a test to see how well your body is storing and transporting iron. Several tests are available, including ferritin and transferrin (TIBC) levels.

Increases Energy Levels

Pregnancy is a time of considerable changes in your body. It’s natural for your energy levels to be low.

That’s why keeping your energy up is essential by taking a good prenatal vitamin. These supplements provide the nutrients you and your baby need during pregnancy and can also help increase energy levels after birth.

B vitamins are a vital component of a good prenatal vitamin, essential for energy production. Look for a prenatal with enough folate, B6 and B12, to support your health and your baby’s development.

Iron is another critical nutrient to consider. It helps your body absorb calcium and boosts your overall energy.

DHA is another vital nutrient for your baby’s brain and eye development. During pregnancy, you must ensure you’re getting enough DHA.

Iodine is an essential nutrient for your baby’s thyroid and brain development. Many women get enough iodine through their diet, but those on low-sodium diets may need extra iodine.

Reduces Nausea

Pregnancy is when women need to take in more nutrients than usual to support the health of their growing baby. Vitamins like folic acid, B6, and zinc can help reduce nausea.

The first step is finding a brand that doesn’t make you feel sick. It is important to read the label and ensure it contains all the essential nutrients you need.

Another thing to consider is how the vitamins are made. Some prenatal use synthetically created vitamins that don’t absorb as well in the body as naturally found in foods.

It also helps to choose a brand that is third-party tested. This will ensure that the supplements’ vitamins are not artificially added and do not contain any ingredients that could harm you or your unborn child.

If you’re having trouble keeping your prenatal vitamins down, take them with food or in the evening. This can be particularly helpful if you’re experiencing morning sickness.

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