When you’ve made the decision to add to your family, it’s time to get ready for pregnancy. While you have nine months to prepare a nursery and stock up on diapers and onesies, body preparedness starts now.
Perhaps there’s no more important step to preparing to get pregnant than starting to bolster your folic acid levels. Your fetus is vulnerable to neural tube defects like spina bifida soon after conception, sometimes before you’re aware of your pregnancy.
Dr. Jennifer Moreira and the team at ThriveOB and Women's Wellness in Barrington, Illinois, are obstetrics specialists providing pre-conceptual counseling and prenatal appointments for women planning pregnancy, as well as partnering with you throughout prenatal visits.
We’ve gathered some tips for choosing the right prenatal vitamin for both you and your child, so you’re protected against neural tube defects and other common pregnancy issues that may be avoided through improved nutrition. It’s an easy way to build in a margin of safety for your pregnancy.
It’s a good idea, when you’re shopping for prenatal vitamins, to go with companies that specialize in nutrition. Stick with reputable brands that use third-party testers like ConsumerLab.com, NSF International, or USP to ensure the quality of your choice.
You may also want to cover all the nutritional basics, even if it’s not likely that you have an active deficiency. Here are our best tips.
A comprehensive prenatal daily vitamin should include:
Multivitamins can also contain vitamins A, B, C, and E, as well as zinc. These are fine for most women, as are omega-3 fatty acid supplements. Discuss your particular case with Dr. Moreira.
Choose capsule or pill form over gummies, since these generally don’t contain iron. Gummies may also be less stable, so you’re not assured of full nutritional value.
Prenatal vitamins can sometimes cause constipation or nausea. If you have problems like this, take your vitamin with food and ensure you’re using a formulation that includes chelated iron for easy absorption.
Your regular lifestyle could also affect your nutritional needs. Vegans and vegetarians may require more iron, for example. Once again, have a conversation with Dr. Moreira to customize your personal supplement plan.
Contact ThriveOB and Women's Wellness as soon as you decide to conceive. Call 847-868-2908 to book your visit today.
