Prenatal or pregnancy vitamins are a type of nutritional supplement that pregnant women can take to help their bodies develop. They contain all the recommended daily allowances of vitamins and minerals. A prenatal vitamin is a supplement that contains essential nutrients, such as folic acid, necessary for you during pregnancy. You will only need to take one or two prenatal vitamins each day. You should take prenatal vitamins from conception until the last month of pregnancy.  

After that, you must keep taking them throughout your pregnancy to continue getting everything you need from them. You may find that if you have been taking a prenatal vitamin regularly during early pregnancy, you do not need to take it at all once you begin your second trimester. However, if you have any questions about this, talk to your doctor. 

Why are prenatal multivitamins essential? 

Prenatal vitamins are designed to ensure your body is as healthy as possible before, during and after pregnancy. This is because pregnancy can be stressful for you and your baby, so it's essential to ensure you get all the nutrients you need.  

• Prenatal vitamins contain all the essential nutrients a woman needs during pregnancy, including folate (folic acid), iron, and calcium. They also contain added folic acid to meet the recommended daily daily daily allowance (RDA) of 400 micrograms.  
• Although prenatal vitamins contain no added iron, they may provide some benefits in helping prevent anaemia during pregnancy. Iron is essential because it helps carry oxygen to the baby's cells. If you don't get enough iron while pregnant, your baby may have trouble getting enough oxygen during delivery or after birth (postpartum). This can lead to problems like low birth weight and delayed development in the mother.  
• You may also want to take prenatal vitamins if you have had a pregnancy with complications or previously suffered from anaemia (a lack of red blood cells in the blood). 

What is the best multivitamin for trying to conceive? 

There are several different types of prenatal vitamins on the market today. Some contain more than one vitamin, while others only have one or two. The type you choose will depend on your specific needs and personal preferences. 

• Multivitamin/mineral supplements are designed to provide an extra boost of nutrients during pregnancy. These supplements usually come in a powder or liquid form and can be mixed with water, juice or yoghurt to make a complete meal replacement. 
• Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin) is an essential nutrient that helps keep red blood cells healthy and helps support nerve function. It also helps prevent anaemia during pregnancy by keeping iron stores stable and preventing vitamin B12 deficiency from developing. 
• Folic acid (also known as folate) is a B vitamin that plays a vital role in cell growth and development. It also reduces the risk of specific congenital disabilities, such as spina bifida (gaps in the spinal cord).  

Prenatal vitamins come in different forms, such as chewable tablets, liquid drops, powder capsules and granules. The type of form you choose depends on your personal preference and budget, such as Healthvit's multivitamin tablets for pregnancy. The prenatal vitamins contain 19 essential vitamins and minerals that support the baby's eye, spinal, and brain development and boost the mother's immunity system. 

How much should you take daily? 

The recommended daily allowance for iron is 18 milligrams for adolescent girls and 9 milligrams for adult women starting at age 19 years or older who aren't pregnant or breastfeeding. 

Effects of Prenatal vitamins on mom and baby: 

There are several reasons why you may be thinking about taking prenatal vitamins. You may be worried that your baby is not getting enough nutrients, or you may want to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Many women find that taking prenatal vitamins can help them feel more confident about their health during pregnancy and after the birth of their baby. 

One of the most common reasons women gain weight during pregnancy is that they aren't eating enough nutritious foods with high amounts of protein, calcium and iron. Women who take prenatal vitamins help them through this challenging time by providing them with critical nutrients for healthy weight gain. These nutrients include  

• folic acid, which helps prevent birth defects 
• iron, which helps keep red blood cells healthy 
• Vitamin D3 (also known as cholecalciferol) prevents postpartum depression 
• Vitamin B prevents tiredness and fatigue 
• Vitamin C and Zinc improve both mom and baby's immunity system. 

One of the most important reasons to have multivitamins during pregnancy is co-operating enough folic acid or folate intake. Folate is known as folic acid when it's taken orally, and this form is the most basic form for preventing neural tube defects (NTDs) in babies born to mothers who take folate supplements during pregnancy. Taking oral folic acid supplements decreases the risk of NTDs by 70% or more. However, taking too much oral folic acid can cause side effects such as nausea and diarrhoea. In addition, folate deficiency can lead to megaloblastic anaemia, so it's essential to get enough folate through foods like dark leafy greens, legumes and nuts.