What are prenatal vitamins?
Now that you’re pregnant, it’s time to start thinking about taking a supplement like a prenatal vitamin, in order to support a healthy pregnancy. After all, it’s not just one body you have to worry about anymore. You now have a person developing inside of you, and there are crucial nutrients and vitamins they need to receive in order to grow. With that said, your doctor will most likely suggest you take a prenatal vitamin, but the key is understanding what they are and what they contain.
Prenatal vitamins prepare women for childbirth and also protect babies against birth defects. There are many different kinds of vitamins on the market, but the best prenatal vitamins contain some amount of folic acid, zinc, iron and calcium. All of these vitamins support the physical and mental growth of babies and can also help protect women from complications during pregnancy.
Folic Acid: Studies show that women who have a sufficient amount of folic acid before getting pregnant and in the early stages of pregnancy are less likely to give birth to a baby with a neural tube defect. Neural tube defects include spina bifida and anencephaly. These defects can be very dangerous and can also result in death. Finding a prenatal supplement with folic acid is therefore crucial.
Zinc: Zinc aids in the production of DNA, so to find the best prenatal vitamins, make sure zinc is one of its main ingredients. Because DNA rapidly forms while a baby is growing inside of a woman, women need larger amounts of zinc than normal. Support your child’s genetic maturation with a prenatal supplement that contains zinc.
Iron: Iron is crucial for women because, during pregnancy, women have almost 50 percent more blood than normal from the baby and the placenta. Iron supports hemoglobin, an essential element of blood cells that performs the oxygen transport function. When pregnant, it’s important that oxygen travels successfully throughout your blood stream and to your baby. An iron deficiency may cause premature birth.
Calcium: All women should ingest calcium, whether they’re pregnant or not. Calcium promotes healthy bones and helps strengthen core areas that are burdened during pregnancy such as the hips and pelvis. In order to prevent bone fractures due to child bearing, be sure your prenatal vitamin contains an appropriate amount of calcium. Eating foods that are high in calcium, like cheese and milk, can help, too.
Remember that when pregnant, women often have intolerance to things they ingest, whether that is food or supplements. Luckily, prenatal vitamins often come in forms that are easy to swallow. So search online or let your doctor suggest some to find the best prenatal vitamins for you.
Women and their babies need proper nutrients and vitamins to keep them healthy during the most crucial developmental stage of their lives. Support your health by finding prenatal vitamins that are easy to swallow. Check out http://www.easy2swallowvitamins.com to find a variety of prenatal vitamins. Contact a doctor or medical professional before taking any supplements.
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