Prenatal vitamins are a great way to ensure your baby is getting the nutrients they need. In fact, taking prenatal vitamins before and during pregnancy can help protect your growing baby from a number of nutrient-related problems.
It’s also a good idea to supplement for women who are planning to get pregnant again (or who have been pregnant in the past.) It’s possible that some vitamin deficiencies may have developed when you were pregnant the first time. Whether you choose vegan prenatal vitamins or the conventional type, let’s explore the 13 top reasons to consider taking prenatal vitamins when not pregnant.
What Are the Nutrients in Prenatal Vitamins?
Prenatal vitamins are a good source of folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, zinc, selenium, and coenzyme Q10. They also provide a solid amount of manganese and zeaxanthin, which are antioxidants that help protect your baby’s vision. Besides these essential nutrients, many prenatal vitamins also have minerals such as zinc, selenium, and iron. The nutrients in vegan prenatal vitamins may help protect your baby’s developing nervous system, heart, and muscle tissue.
Why Take Prenatal Vitamins When You’re Not Pregnant?
More than any other reason, the reason to take prenatal vitamins when you’re not pregnant is that you may become pregnant. Half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, which means you could be depriving your growing baby of vital nutrients. Pregnancy is a time when you’re particularly at risk for developing nutrient-related problems. If there’s a chance you could become pregnant or are actively trying, taking prenatal vitamins could be a wise choice.
Here are our seven top reasons for taking prenatal vitamins if you may become pregnant:
- Helps protect your baby from a number of nutrient-related diseases and disabilities
- Ensures the proper development of your baby’s nervous system
- Good source of folic acid, vitamin B, D, E, and K2
- Folic acid helps prevent a number of conditions, such as spina bifida and anencephaly
- Excellent source of iron, zinc, and selenium
- Lowers your risk of developing pregnancy-related diabetes
It can be a good idea to continue taking prenatal vitamins post-delivery as well. Your body has been through a lot and may be low on some of the things it needs for your recovery and your baby’s health. Continuing with prenatal vitamins for three months after your child’s birth can be important for:
- Breastfeeding, especially since you may be low on folate, DHA, Vitamin D, and iodine
- Boosting animal proteins such as B12 in breast milk, particularly if you’re on a vegan or other restricted diet
- Replenishing the blood you lost during childbirth
- Preventing anemia
- Preventing calcium deficiencies
- Enhancing your energy
- Regulating your moods
By taking a prenatal vitamin, you can get a head start on protecting your baby. Even after childbirth, prenatal vitamins can provide many of the nutrients your body needs on a daily basis in the first few months afterward.
Taking Prenatal Vitamins in the Long Term
Prenatal vitamins are great for before, during, and for a few months after pregnancy and childbirth. There are risks associated with taking prenatal vitamins when not truly necessary. Some of these risks include:
- Constipation, diarrhea, or nausea from an excess of iron
- Liver toxicity from too much vitamin A
- Kidney or gall bladder stones from unmetabolized calcium
- Hemorrhagic stroke from too much vitamin E
- Masking a vitamin B12 deficiency, which can lead to diabetes, thyroid disease, balance issues, and tingling in the hands and feet.
If you’re not pregnant, are sure you won’t become pregnant, or haven’t recently given birth, a prenatal vitamin might not be the right choice for you. A better course of action may be taking a regular multivitamin if you’re concerned about keeping up on your nutrients.
Doctor’s Orders
As always, it’s best to consult your doctor before taking supplements of any kind. You want to make sure they’re the right choice for you and your baby and won’t interact with other medications or supplements you may be taking.
Bottom Line
The bottom line is that if you’re pregnant, within three months post-pregnancy, or are expecting to become pregnant, you may not want to miss out on the benefits that a prenatal vitamin can provide your baby. Prenatal vitamins are a great way to ensure your baby is getting the nutrients they need.
Taking them before and during pregnancy can help protect your growing baby from a number of nutrient-related problems. It’s also a good idea to supplement for women who are planning to get pregnant again — or who have been pregnant in the past — because it’s possible that some vitamin deficiencies may have developed when you were pregnant the first time.
And, as mentioned before, don’t take risks with your or your baby’s health. Consult with your doctor before beginning any vitamin regimen.
COMMENTS