Importance of prenatal vitamins

How important are prenatal vitamins? 

Almost all health resources advise women who are in their childbearing years to start taking certain prenatal vitamins (like Folic Acid) as soon as they decide to get pregnant. However, there are certain women who do not believe in the importance of prenatal vitamins and would rather use other ways and means to improve their overall health. While there is no substitute for eating a healthy and highly nutritious diet, women should realize that the amount of vitamins and minerals present in foods may not be sufficient to meet the increasing demands of their body, especially when it comes to the growth and development of a baby. Therefore, doctors always advise women to get add certain vitamin supplements to their diet, keeping in mind the importance of prenatal vitamins. 

The importance of prenatal vitamins

Most health experts tout the benefits as well as the importance of prenatal vitamins, not just for those women who are pregnant, but also for those women who are planning to have a baby within a year or so. This is because the benefits of prenatal vitamins are not just applicable to the unborn baby, but also to the mother.

Iron 

Iron changes the composition of blood during the course of pregnancy. In case a woman suffers from the deficiency if iron during pregnancy, she could become anemic, especially during the last trimester of pregnancy. This is harmful for the mother, as well as the baby, as it could lead to premature birth and low birth weight.

Calcium 

Calcium is important for the improvement of bone density. However, during pregnancy calcium is absolutely essential for the proper bone development of the baby. It also prevents bone loss problems in the woman who is expecting. 

Folic acid 

This is one prenatal vitamin, which is should be taken even before a woman gets pregnant. This nutrient reduces the risks of any birth defects that are related to the spine and the brain. 

While the importance of prenatal vitamins during pregnancy is well known, women should never underestimate the significance of following a healthy and nutritious diet, which is high in fresh fruits, vegetables, diary products, whole grains, nuts, seeds and lean meat. Moreover, in spite of the importance of prenatal vitamins, women should never take one, without checking with their doctors, for the recommended daily doses. This is because an overdose of any vitamin can lead to serious side effects, which could include a few developmental defects in the baby.