Prenatal Vitamins

You’ve probably heard your doctor say that it’s always preferable to work towards preventing illnesses rather than fighting illnesses once they’ve already begun. This is especially true during pregnancy, when your body is using so many of its resources to nurture your unborn baby. Proper nutrition, including a daily intake of vitamins, is the first step in illness prevention. A few pills a day can go a long way in ensuring that your baby grows healthy and strong in the womb and after birth.

By far the most important prenatal vitamin is folate. Folate can reduce the risk of birth defects like spina bifida and anencephaly, which are caused by neural tube abnormalities developed very early in the first trimester. Folate can protect your baby from these conditions; however, for it to be effective, it must be taken during the first four weeks of pregnancy when the neural tube is forming.  Many women are not certain that they are pregnant until the second or even third month of pregnancy, so if you are planning for a baby, you should start taking folate before you begin trying to conceive. For non-pregnant women, 400 micrograms of folate a day is sufficient; once you become pregnant, you should begin taking 1000 micrograms a day. You can get an adequate dosage of folate in many breads and pastas and in dark green vegetables and orange fruits. If you are unsure if your diet provides enough folate, it’s best to take a daily vitamin supplement containing folic acid.

Preeclampsia is another early-pregnancy condition that vitamins play an important role in preventing. Preeclampsia occurs when the placenta, which delivers nutrients to the fetus, does not form properly in the uterus, leading ultimately to premature birth and even death for the baby. Studies have shown that taking 1000 mg of Vitamin C and 400 IU of Vitamin E a day beginning early in pregnancy can reduce the chance of preeclampsia by a staggering 76 percent. Don’t wait until you have a problem to begin taking prenatal vitamins – they are a preventative measure, not a treatment. As soon as you become pregnant, studies suggest to begin taking 1000 mg of Vitamin C and 400 IU of Vitamin E every day.

If you are unused to taking vitamins, you might find that they cause nausea or constipation. If you can, begin a vitamin regimen before you become pregnant so that your body has time to adapt. If this is not possible, try vitamin powders or children’s chewable vitamins, which are easier for your body to absorb.

Supplementing your diet with vitamins is easy, and the results can be life-changing. So add a little folic acid, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E to your daily intake. Your baby will thank you for it.

Visit www.SafeBabySystem.com for more info on getting the vitamins you need during your pregnancy.