Before taking multivitamins for pregnant adults, begin with a balanced, healthy diet

Prenatal multivitamin and mineral supplements are an important part of pregnancy nutrition but should not replace a healthy diet¹. Discuss prenatal supplementation with your health care professional.

Even if you are eating well, the amount of many of the important nutrients you should eat daily increases during pregnancy and might be difficult to obtain from your diet alone. The Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) guidelines recommend that you increase your intake of protein, iron, folic acid, vitamins A, B6, B12, and C, zinc, and more². If your daily diet is not able to meet this increased vitamin and mineral intake, supplements will help you fill the gaps.

Why you need key multivitamins for pregnancy

Prenatal multivitamins can help pregnant women maintain their nutrient intake. Here are a few key nutrients and why they are important:

• Folic acid helps develop the central nervous system including brain, spinal cord, and other nerve cells and tissues. Folic acid is especially important during the first trimester.³
• Iron is needed in blood to help oxygenate all other tissues in the body including brain and muscle cells. Iron is critical throughout pregnancy.⁴
• Calcium is an integral component of the foetal bones.⁵

Prenatal multivitamins help make sure you’re getting enough nutrients

Prenatal multivitamins provide essential nutrients, of which you might not consume enough⁶. Your doctor can help you decide which prenatal vitamin and mineral supplement is best for you.

Tips for taking multivitamins for pregnant women

• Always begin by consulting your health care provider about nutritional needs and any nutrient supplements you want to take while pregnant or later, when you are breastfeeding.
• Compare nutrients in prenatal multivitamin tablet, liquid, and chewable forms to be sure they contain all of the necessary nutrients.
• Make it convenient by keeping prenatal multivitamins in clear sight to make them part of your daily routine.
• Take prenatal multivitamins with a meal or snack, or before bedtime to help counter possible nausea.
• Take supplements ONLY as directed in the dose your doctor recommends. Too much of even a good thing can be harmful to you or your baby.
• Choose a prenatal multivitamin and mineral supplement designed for pregnancy rather than a regular multivitamin to get the increased levels of nutrients specifically needed. Your doctor can make a recommendation.
• Remember, no vitamin or mineral supplements can replace a healthy diet, but rather ensure that a woman is receiving enough daily nutrients  while giving your baby a strong start.

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References:

1. https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-health-wellness/pregnancy-vitamins-nutrients. Accessed on 25^th November 2022.

2. Allowances RD. Nutrient requirements and recommended dietary allowances for Indians. National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research: Hyderabad, India. 2009. RDA 2020

3. Balashova OA, Visina O, Borodinsky LN. Folate action in nervous system development and disease. Dev Neurobiol. 2018 Apr;78(4):391-402. doi: 10.1002/dneu.22579. Epub 2018 Feb 6. PMID: 29380544; PMCID: PMC5867258.

4. Georgieff MK. Iron deficiency in pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2020;223(4):516-524. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2020.03.006

5. Hacker AN, Fung EB, King JC. Role of calcium during pregnancy: maternal and fetal needs. Nutr Rev. 2012 Jul;70(7):397-409. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2012.00491.x. PMID: 22747842.

6. Oh C, Keats EC, Bhutta ZA. Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation During Pregnancy on Maternal, Birth, Child Health and Development Outcomes in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2020;12(2):491. Published 2020 Feb 14. doi:10.3390/nu12020491

7. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/healthy-eating-physical-activity-for-life/health-tips-for-pregnant-women. Accessed on 25^th November 2022.