{"id":5255,"date":"2022-06-04T10:11:07","date_gmt":"2022-06-04T14:11:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/birthyoudesire.com\/?p=5255"},"modified":"2022-05-01T10:32:54","modified_gmt":"2022-05-01T14:32:54","slug":"choosing-your-prenatal-vitamin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/birthyoudesire.com\/choosing-your-prenatal-vitamin\/","title":{"rendered":"Choosing Your\u00a0Prenatal Vitamin:\u00a0Building A Healthy Pregnancy\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Choosing Your\u00a0Prenatal Vitamin:\u00a0Building A Healthy Pregnancy\u00a0<\/span><\/h1>\n

There are many choices when\u00a0<\/span>preparing for a healthy pregnancy<\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Everything from what you eat<\/a>, your prenatal vitamin, and environmental exposures<\/span> may impact your pregnancy and<\/span>\u00a0your growing baby<\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>You can start by\u00a0<\/span>optimiz<\/span>ing<\/span>\u00a0your fertility and\u00a0<\/span>starting with a\u00a0<\/span>prenatal vitamin is the easiest step.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why do\u00a0You Need to Take a Prenatal Vitamin?<\/h2>\n

I<\/span>n an ideal world, it is easy to have access to quality food fro<\/span>m quality sources all year long. The reality is that\u00a0<\/span>modern agriculture<\/span>\u00a0has\u00a0<\/span>depleted\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>soil<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>global warming has affected our growing times<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Our bodies are further stre<\/span>ssed by<\/span>\u00a0busy li<\/span>festyles<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0jobs,\u00a0<\/span>social injustice, pandemics,\u00a0<\/span>and<\/span>\u00a0medications<\/span>\u00a0like birth<\/span>\u00a0control<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0 This means\u00a0<\/span>m<\/span>any\u00a0<\/span>people enter<\/span> pregnancy already nutrient-depleted<\/span><\/a>\u202fand then<\/span>\u00a0there is the<\/span>\u00a0natural increase<\/span>\u00a0of\u00a0<\/span>nutrient<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0need<\/span>ed for<\/span>\u00a0pregnancy and breastfeeding.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, food should always be our first source of nutrition<\/span>\u00a0whenever possible<\/span>. Eating a healthy,\u202f<\/span>colorful, and diverse<\/span>\u202fdiet will<\/span> help you get\u202fmost of\u202fthe vitamins and minerals you need. Of course, p<\/span>renatal vitamins do not take the place of a healthy diet in creating a strong nutrition foundation for you and your baby<\/span>. But t<\/span>hey do <\/span>offer a buffer, <\/span>an extra insurance policy, to help bridge the gaps in what\u2019s missing<\/span>\u00a0in your diet.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Numerous studies show that taking a prenatal vitamin not only\u202f<\/span>improves the baby’s health, but also the health of the <\/span>birthing person<\/span><\/a>. Benefits<\/span>\u00a0include improved fertility<\/span> and a reduced risk of miscarriage<\/span>. During pregnancy, benefits include<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>a reduction in<\/span>\u00a0complications\u00a0<\/span>such as <\/span>gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, preterm birth, low birth weight babies, birth defects, and stillbirth<\/span>.\u00a0 As you can imagine, all of these can have major impacts on the physical and mental health of the family.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>L<\/span>ong-term<\/span>, there is a decrease in<\/span>\u00a0chronic problems\u00a0<\/span>for the children including<\/span> diabetes,<\/span>\u00a0obesity,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0<\/span>cardiovascular disease,\u00a0<\/span>to name a few<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When Should You Take\u00a0Prenatal Vitamins?<\/h2>\n

Pregnancy nutrition is critical from just before the moment of conception. And yet, t<\/span>he reality is that half of the pregnancies in the US are unplanned<\/span>.\u00a0 This means that we need<\/span>\u00a0to optimize\u00a0<\/span>our\u00a0<\/span>nutrition intentionally before pregnan<\/span>cy<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Many providers recommend\u00a0<\/span>a<\/span>nyone<\/span>\u00a0in their childbearing years who are sexually active take a prenatal at best<\/span>\u00a0that contains\u00a0<\/span>at least 800 mcg\/day of methylfolate and 2000 units of Vitamin D.\u00a0<\/span>Methylfolate<\/span> is particularly important (see below) because <\/span>it\u00a0<\/span>is essential for the healthy development of the baby\u2019s nervous system which\u00a0<\/span>mostly<\/span>\u00a0takes place before most<\/span>\u00a0people even have a positive pregnancy test<\/span>!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you are planning on becoming pregnant in the next year, consider\u00a0<\/span>starting<\/span>\u00a0your prenatal vitamins\u00a0<\/span>at least<\/span>\u00a03-6<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0months in advance<\/span>. I<\/span>t is never too late, so start them as soon as possible.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It is common to continue your prenatal vitamins for<\/span>\u00a0at least 3 months<\/span>\u00a0postpartum if\u00a0<\/span>you<\/span>\u00a0are formula feeding, and<\/span>\u00a0at least 12 months<\/span> if you are breastfeeding. Even after you have weaned you will want to continue your prenatal vitamins<\/span>\u00a0to replenish\u00a0<\/span>lost nutrients from pregnancy and recovery.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Depending on your family plans, you may choose to\u00a0<\/span>stay on the prenatal vitamin as a daily nutrient supplement<\/span>\u00a0as your next pregnancy is not that far out<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Which\u00a0Prenatal Vitamin\u00a0Should I Take?<\/h2>\n

All<\/span>\u00a0prenatal vitamins<\/span>\u00a0are not created equal. Many<\/span>\u00a0fall short<\/span>\u00a0and others<\/span>\u00a0are\u00a0<\/span>filled<\/span>\u00a0with additives, fillers, and artificial colors.\u00a0<\/span>What is most important is their bioavailability- or their ability to be absorbed and used by the body.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead of recommending specific brands or products, I want to address the ingredients. You may find all or most of these in a single supplement or you may choose the spread out. You may prefer chewable or pill form.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tips for taking your supplement:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n