Are You Taking a High Quality Prenatal Vitamin?
By Julie M cGinnis, M S, RD
Bringing a child into the world includes preparation and one of the first things on your list should be your health. Get your body and mind in tip top shape and stop any bad habits that may jeopardize your unborn baby’ s health. Your goals should also include a prenatal vitamin three months prior to conception. By optimizing your nutrient intake at this time, you can significantly reduce the chances of birth defects for your baby. Many recommendations are to take folic acid prior to conception. However, there is research supporting the importance of other nutrients as well that can support your baby’ s health. Eating a well balanced, healthy diet is a challenge for many due to busy schedules, food allergies/intolerances, or budget constraints, so a prenatal vitamin can be an affordable solution to ensure nutrient intake.
These particular nutrients listed are essential for preconception:
Folic acid is important for proper cell division and growth in the fetus. Studies show that women using a multivitamin with folic acid preconception were significantly less likely to have a child with severe heart defects1, neural tube defects, low birth weight, or a pre-term birth. Additionally, studies have found that 50% or more of neural tube defects can be prevented if women consume a folic acid supplement, alone or in a prenatal vitamin, before and during the early weeks of pregnancy2.
Zinc is another important mineral preconception and women with the highest zinc levels before pregnancy had a 35% reduced risk of having a neural tube defect affected pregnancy3. Zinc is important for fetal growth, development, immunity and low levels may affect your baby’ s health.
I ron is another mineral to keep in strong supply prior to and throughout pregnancy. I f you consume limited amounts of iron-containing foods in your diet or tend towards anemia, be sure to take optimal amounts preconception. Your body will soon make 50% more blood for your pregnancy. M ore iron is needed for this increase and it is easy to fall short quickly and become anemic. I ron transports oxygen throughout the body and is involved in the regulation of growth and differentiation of body cells. I ron is also necessary for fetal- placental development.
Choline is an essential nutrient found to be critical for fetal development. A study found that women with higher intakes of choline three months preconception were significantly less likely to give birth to a child with a neural tube defect compared to women with lower choline intakes4.
These nutrients and others are important prior to conception along with a healthy diet full of whole grains, preferably organic fresh vegetables and fruits, regular exercise and a positive state of mind. With a little bit of preparation and intention during the preconception months, both baby and mom will be more prepared for a happy, healthy pregnancy.
Julie McGinnis, M.S., R.D., certified herbalist holds a master's degree in nutrition from the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut, and has been involved in the field of nutrition for 20 years. Upon completion of her herbal certification, she began her career in complimentary health and worked for years in R&D for a professional line of nutrition supplements. She has written professional nutrition and health literature for major health food stores, Pharmaca, and other small businesses. She has instructed many online nutrition classes and has continued a private practice throughout her career.
References
- Botto LD, Khoury MJ, Mulinare J, Erickson JD. Periconceptional multivitamin use and the occurrence of conotruncal heart defects: results from a population-based, case-control study. Pediatrics 1996;98:911–7.
- Czeizel AE. Reduction of urinary tract and cardiovascular defects by periconceptional multivitamin supplementation. Am J Med Genet 1996;62:179–83.
- Velie EM, Block G, Shaw GM, et al. Maternal supplemental and dietary zinc intake and the occurrence of neural tube defects in California. Am J Epidemiol 1999;150:605–16.
- Shaw GM, Carmichael SL, Yang W, et al. Periconceptional dietary intake of choline and betaine and neural tube defects in offspring. Am J Epidemiol 2004;160:102–9.
