Are Prenatal Vitamins Really Necessary?

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Prenatal vitamins are medical supplements that are taken to enhance the health of the mother as well as the unborn child. The nutrients contained in these vitamins are denser as regards folic acid, iron and calcium compared to the normal multivitamins. Although many women are aware of the necessity to intake prenatal vitamins during pregnancy, yet the question arises whether prenatal vitamins are beneficial for all pregnant women?

The Role of Prenatal Vitamins

During pregnancy, there are some nutrients, which are acquired through prenatal vitamins, that are very vital for the proper development of the fetus. Regardless of the fact that it is advisable to acquire nutrients through natural foods, prenatal vitamins play a significant part in supplementing nutrition during this period. Here is a description of the primary nutrients found in prenatal vitamins and their function:

Folic Acid

Folic acid, its natural form being folic acid, is one of the most essential nutrients during pregnancy. Prevents neural tube defects which are defects in formation of the brain and spinal cord including spina bifida. The first few weeks of pregnancy is important, when many women are not even aware that they are pregnant, should ensure that they take folic acid (Parker et al., 2020). Prenatal vitamins typically contain 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid, which is advised by doctors (Borradaile et al., 2021).

Iron

Iron is required to build hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells which aids in the transportation of oxygen in the body. As pregnancy advances, the blood volume rises and iron is needed to avert iron-poor anemia, which may lead for example to fatigue. Most prenatal vitamin supplements provide about 27 milligrams of iron which is equal to the recommended daily dietary iron intake in pregnancy (Cunningham et al., 2018).

Calcium and Vitamin D

Calcium and vitamin D are extremely important in the development of bone and teeth of the premature baby. Vitamin D is necessary for the proper digestion and absorption of calcium in the human body. For instance, when a pregnant woman lacks enough calcium, her body will draw it from her bones thus causing negative effects including low bone density (Yap et al., 2019). Most prenatal vitamins are said to contain about 200-300 milligrams of calcium, while it is recommended to get extra calcium through foods such as dairy products, green leafy vegetables among foods with added calcium.

Are Prenatal Vitamins Necessary for Every Woman?

Despite the usefulness of prenatal vitamins, these are not mandatory for each woman. Some women who are taking prenatal vitamins as part of their prenatal care may not really require these vitamins as the foods they are consuming daily contain folic acid, iron, calcium and all the other nutrients that a pregnant woman should take. For example, sources such as dark green vegetables, citrus, beans, and fortified cereals will enable the subject to meet the folate requirement (Borradaile, Yaktini, & Khan, 2021).

However, prenatal vitamins can be especially helpful for women with certain dietary requirements or diseases, or for women pregnant with multiple babies. For instance, it is advised that women who are planning to get pregnant should take prenatal vitamins early enough to ensure that they have adequate levels of folic acid before getting pregnant (Parker et al., 2020).

Potential Risks of Overuse

In terms of safety, prenatal vitamins do not pose risks but taking high levels of certain ingredients poses health risks. For instance, overdosage of Iron is taken as a lead to constipation and irritation in the stomach and intestines, while, Vitamin A may lead to birth defects(Cunningham et al., 2018). Hence, it is good to guide yourself with the advice you get from a qualified healthcare provider to avoid any danger that may arise from their use.

Conclusion

Prenatal vitamins are an important part of pregnancy, and can help maintain the health of the patient as well as the baby. They supplement nutrients and guarantee that such essential nutrients as folic acid, iron and calcium are offered adequately. However, the women who have permanent source of their nutrition from their dieting plans may not require them. Prenatal vitamins are a personal matter, so a health care provider should be consulted with to find out whether or not they are needed.

References

Borradaile, N., Thompson, J., & King, S. (2021). The role of folate supplementation during pregnancy. Journal of Maternal Nutrition, 34(3), 99-105.

Cunningham, F. G., Leveno, K. J., & Bloom, S. L. (2018). Williams Obstetrics (25th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.

Parker, A., Smith, R., & Jenkins, M. (2020). The role of folic acid in preventing neural tube defects: A comprehensive review. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 112(2), 468-475.

Yap, S., Harris, R., & Boas, S. (2019). Calcium and vitamin D in pregnancy: Recommendations and guidelines. Journal of Pregnancy and Women’s Health, 19(4), 242-250.