Unfortunately, there may be some negative side effects from taking a prenatal vitamin. What are side effects of taking a prenatal vitamin? But if you find out that you are pregnant unexpectedly, start it as soon as you get a positive test. You should start taking a prenatal vitamin the minute you decide to try conceiving. When should you start taking a prenatal vitamin? 'Hair grows lush in pregnancy due to cessation of the normal lifecycle of hair.' So, hair loss stops temporarily during pregnancy.īecause there's such little data on taking high doses of biotin for hair growth during pregnancy, Minkin doesn't really recommend taking it. 'Prenatal vitamins for hair health is a myth,' Dr. Minkin agree that there isn't a lot of evidence to support the claim that prenatal vitamins boost hair growth. Is it okay to take a prenatal vitamin for hair growth?īoth Dr.

Minkin adds that folic acid and Vitamin D are the most important to intake on a daily basis. Omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA (350 mg minimum): helps brain developmentĭr.Choline (450 mg minimum): promotes baby's brain development and cognition.Iron (depends on patient's lab values but generally, 27 mg minimum): helps produce more blood and oxygen for your baby.Vitamin D (depends on patient's lab values but generally, 1000 IUD): helps reduce chance of miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, low birth weight, pre-term birth, and postpartum depression.Folate/folic acid (400-800 mcg minimum): prevents birth defects, restores ovulation, and boosts egg quality to make getting pregnant easier.Gilberg-Lenz suggests for a daily dosage: So, the best vitamins have the fewest number of ingredients in the right dosage. 'Also, when you have a million things in one vitamin, they literally won’t fit the correct doses.' 'Many new prenatals on the market have good ingredient profiles but the dosages are too low to make a difference,' she notes. Gilberg-Lenz says they should have nutrients that are bioavailable (meaning the body can easily absorb them) in the correct dosages. You should look out for a few things when shopping for prenatal vitamins. What is the most effective prenatal vitamin? 'Women who conceive while on prenatal vitamins with extra folic acid have a lower risk of having a baby born with a neural tube defect,' she says. 'Being aware of glucose and thyroid function, Vitamin D, and folate levels is important because they all have a direct impact on the health of a baby.'Īnd, the data is here to prove it, says ob-gyn Dr. 'The health of a pre-pregnant person has a direct impact on the lifelong health of the fetus and person who develops from that fetus,' she says. After all, your pre-conception health is absolutely vital to the health of your future baby. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, MD, says you should start taking a prenatal vitamin as soon as you begin trying to conceive. Should you take a prenatal vitamin before pregnancy? 'Therefore, it’s so important to check to make sure the prenatal vitamins you are picking up are third party tested and purchased from reputable companies,' says Ehsani. Unfortunately, like other dietary supplements in the United States, prenatal vitamins are not FDA-approved. 'Supplementing with a prenatal can help ensure mom and baby are getting the nutrients it needs to thrive and stay healthy,' she says. 'A pregnant woman needs more overall calories, vitamins and minerals compared to a woman who isn’t pregnant to help support the growing baby, and to ensure they are growing in a healthy manner and developing well.'Įhsani adds that some women during pregnancy may experience morning sickness or food aversions, which can make it more difficult to get enough nutrients. 'To support growing a baby, a mom needs to be healthy first and foremost! During pregnancy, a woman's needs for macronutrients and micronutrients increases,' says Roxana Ehsani, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN, registered dietitian nutritionist in Miami, Florida. Taking prenatal vitamins benefit both mom and baby.

Roxana Ehsani, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN, registered dietitian in Miami, Florida. Mary Jane Minkin, MD, ob-gyn, is a Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Yale University Medical School.

Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, MD, is the author of Menopause Bootcamp. Tiffany Woodus, MD, is an ob-gyn in Dallas. Thomas Ruiz, MD, is an ob-gyn based in Orange County, California. Tiffany Woodus, MD, an ob-gyn: 'Most women simply do not consume enough of the key nutrients that have been shown to give babies the best possible start in life.' And, no matter how healthy you are, it’s likely that your diet alone isn't providing you with all the vitamins needed for your baby's growth and development according to Dr.

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