Prenatal Vitamin Supplements: You and Your Baby's Health

Prenatal vitamin supplements are vitamin supplementsvitamins for pregnant women who require extra
that a woman can take on a daily basis to ensure thatvitamin A are those which contain vitamin A in the
she is obtaining appropriate quantities of essentialform of beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is a nutrient that
nutrients during pregnancy. It is important for a womanis found in fruits and vegetables and is converted into
to discuss with her medical practitioner which prenatalvitamin A in the body. Prenatal vitamin supplements
supplements, if any, she should take and which shethat contain vitamin A from animal products can cause
should avoid. It is essential that all prenatal vitaminbirth defects when taken in high doses during
supplements are only taken under the advisement of apregnancy but beta-carotene is a much safer prenatal
medical professional. There are some prenatal vitaminvitamin as it is not toxic in high doses.
supplements that can prove dangerous for a pregnantIt is essential that a woman discusses prenatal vitamin
woman to take and she has to be especially cautious.supplements with her health practitioner at her first
The most important point to consider when decidingprenatal check-up. They can examine her current
which prenatal vitamin supplements to take is whichdietary requirements and assess whether prenatal
one contains certain nutrients that are beneficial to thevitamin supplements are necessary to increase the
woman and her developing baby. The majority ofamount of nutrients that she has available for her
adults do not need additional vitamins as they receivebaby. Often a doctor will recommend that a pregnant
sufficient from a balanced diet but a pregnant womanwoman takes a course of a folic acid vitamin
often needs prenatal vitamin supplements, especiallysupplement during the first trimester of her pregnancy.
for folic acid and iron. However, it is essential that sheFolic acid is the most commonly prescribed prenatal
ensures that the prenatal vitamin supplements that shesupplement for the months prior to becoming pregnant
takes to provide one particular nutrient do not containas well and it is essential for the health and growth of
potentially harmful amounts of another.the baby, especially the brain functions. Iron is another
One of the most toxic types of prenatal vitamin that aprenatal vitamin supplement that is recommended to
pregnant woman has to be extremely cautious of isprevent the mother suffering from anaemia due to the
vitamin A. For this reason the most suitable prenataldemands that the baby puts on her iron consumption.