Do I Really Need Those Prenatal Vitamins?

During the course of a prenatal ultrasound, the mom asked me, "About those vitamins - do I really need them?" The short answer is Yes and here's why: Mom and her developing baby come as an entry - they both have needs and metabolic demands. While obviously, a health diet is essential, even the healthiest eaters often fall short in a few key areas specific to pregnancy. Mayo Clinic lists two:

•Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects. These defects are serious abnormalities of the brain and spinal cord.

•Iron supports the baby's growth and development. Iron also helps prevent anemia, a condition in which blood lacks adequate healthy red blood cells.

Some other important nutrients are worth asking your doctor or midwife about - Calcium and Vitamin D which among other things are essential for healthy fetal bone development and also Omega-3-Fatty acids, usually found in ample supply in fish. Since many pregnant women are concerned about mercury in fish, you may also wish to talk to your doctor or midwife about omega 3's as well.

Mayo also has a nice list of what to look for in a prenatal vitamin.

Generally, look for a prenatal vitamin that contains:

•Folic acid — 400 to 800 micrograms
•Calcium — 250 milligrams
•Iron — 30 milligrams
•Vitamin C — 50 milligrams
•Zinc — 15 milligrams
•Copper — 2 milligrams
•Vitamin B-6 — 2 milligrams
•Vitamin D — 400 international units

Remember, vitamins are supplements to a healthy diet, not substitutes. Choose wisely for the future may depend on it.