Prenatal Vitamins and Supplements part 1

What a mis-nomer, since you not only take it before you become pregnant but all through your pregnancy and breast feeding!

Before I became pregnant I only took 1 mg of Folic acid per day.

Folic acid is necessary to prevent neural tube defects, and the fetus' neural tube forms in the first four weeks after conception - which is before most people know they are pregnant, thus the reason to start before.

I have a beef with combination pre-natal vitamins, they have way to much of things you don't need like vitamin A (which can cause birth defects if taken in excess) and not enough of other things like calcium and vitamin D.

Since I found out I was pregnant I began to take the following

1. DHA-EPA 1 gram per day: These are the omega-3 essential fatty acids in fish oil—are crucial throughout life, but especially during pregnancy, when a woman's demand for DHA in particular increases substantially. DHA comprises approximately 20% of the fatty acid in the brain's cerebral cortex. That's why DHA is among the most important nutrients for pregnant and lactating women. The DHA consumed by expectant moms sets the foundation for her baby's developing brain, eyes, and nervous system.* 

2. Calcium 500 mg twice daily - Calcium is a nutrient needed in the body to build strong teeth and bones. Calcium also allows blood to clot normally, muscles and nerves to function properly, and the heart to beat normally. Most of the calcium in your body is found inside your bones.
A growing baby needs a considerable amount of calcium to develop. If you do not consume enough calcium to sustain the needs of your developing baby, your body will take calcium from your bones, decreasing your bone mass and putting you at risk for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis initiates dramatic thinning of the bone, resulting in weak, brittle bones that can easily be broken.

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• The U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance (USRDA) for calcium is 1200 milligrams (mg) per day for pregnant and lactating (breastfeeding) women over age 24. The USRDA for women under age 24 is 1200 to 1500 mg. of calcium per day.

Pregnancy is a critical time for a woman to consume more calcium. Even if no problems develop during pregnancy, an inadequate supply of calcium at this time can diminish bone strength and increase your risk for osteoporosis later in life.*

3. Magnesium 400 mg daily - This is a vitamin that works in conjunction with calcium.  It reduces the likelihood of preterm labor, and is important for baby's bone and teeth development.  There is also some indication that magnesium may reduce nausea in the first trimester.  I started taking magnesium years ago to reduce the frequency and severity of my tension headaches.  It also works to calm leg cramps and round ligament pains in pregnancy
Recommended daily allowance in Pregnant women, 19 to 30 years of age: 350 milligrams (mg) of magnesium per day *

4. Vitamin D 5000 Units daily - I live in Minnesota where six months out of the year you would have to stand outside naked for three hours at high noon to make enough vitamin D, so I was already taking this before pregnancy.  It is more important though during pregnancy and lactation.  Vitamin D supports immune function and is needed to absorb and store calcium for bone growth and nerve function.  The previous recommended daily allowance of vitamin d was 400 Units a day, but you should get your vitamin d level checked by a medical provider and discuss appropriate supplementation based on your blood level.*

I defy you to find a pre natal vitamin that contains all of these items at their recommended allowance and less than 4000 units of Vitamin A.

If you have an interest in taking your vitamins and supplements to the next level of craziness please see part 2 of this post.