Overview

Prenatal vitamins are intended for use during pregnancy and in those who are trying to become pregnant. During pregnancy, the body needs higher amounts of certain nutrients to support the growing fetus and to help prevent birth defects.

Prenatal vitamins are used to prevent birth defects of the brain and spine (neural tube birth defects) and to prevent softening of bones in children, often due to vitamin D deficiency (rickets). They are also used for many other conditions related to childbirth and child health, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.

Prenatal vitamins contain vitamins and minerals that are needed to support a healthy pregnancy. Some of these vitamins and minerals include folic acid, iron, and vitamin D. Not getting enough of these vitamins can lead to problems in the developing baby. Prenatal vitamins that contain folic acid help prevent birth defects of the brain and spine in the baby. Prenatal vitamins containing vitamin D help prevent rickets in the baby. Prenatal vitamins containing iron seem to help prevent anemia during pregnancy.

How does it work ?

Prenatal vitamins contain vitamins and minerals that are needed to support a healthy pregnancy. Some of these vitamins and minerals include folic acid, iron, and vitamin D. Not getting enough of these vitamins can lead to problems in the developing baby. Prenatal vitamins that contain folic acid help prevent birth defects of the brain and spine in the baby. Prenatal vitamins containing vitamin D help prevent rickets in the baby. Prenatal vitamins containing iron seem to help prevent anemia during pregnancy.

Uses & Effectiveness

Likely Effective for

  • Birth defects of the brain and spine (neural tube birth defects). Taking prenatal vitamins containing 600-800 mcg of folic acid during pregnancy helps prevent birth defects of the brain and spine in the baby.
  • Softening of bones in children, often due to vitamin D deficiency (rickets). Taking prenatal vitamins that contain at least 600 IU of vitamin D during pregnancy helps prevent rickets in the baby.

Possibly Effective for

  • Anemia. Taking prenatal vitamins containing at least 27 mg of iron helps prevent iron-deficiency anemia during pregnancy.
  • Cleft lip and cleft palate. A cleft palate is an opening in the lip or roof of the mouth. Patients who take prenatal vitamins containing folic acid during pregnancy have a lower chance of giving birth to babies with cleft palate.
  • Heart problems at birth. Patients who take prenatal vitamins containing folic acid before and during early pregnancy have a lower chance of giving birth to babies with heart problems.
  • Stillbirth. Taking a prenatal vitamin that contains iron and folic acid throughout pregnancy seems to lower the chance of stillbirth by 8%.

Possibly Ineffective for

  • Miscarriage. Taking a prenatal vitamin containing iron and folate doesn't reduce the risk of miscarriage compared to taking only iron and folate.
  • Death of an unborn or premature baby. Taking a prenatal vitamin containing iron and folate doesn't reduce the risk of early infant death compared to taking only iron and folate.

There is interest in using prenatal vitamins for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Prenatal vitamins are POSSIBLY SAFE when used appropriately. Prenatal vitamins contain many different minerals, vitamins, and other ingredients. The amount of these ingredients is not expected to cause serious side effects in people who are not pregnant or are trying to become pregnant. But the safety of prenatal vitamins has not been well studied outside of pregnancy. Males should not take prenatal vitamins. Prenatal vitamins contain too much iron for males. Talk with your health care provider before taking a prenatal vitamin.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Prenatal vitamins are POSSIBLY SAFE when used appropriately. Prenatal vitamins contain many different minerals, vitamins, and other ingredients. The amount of these ingredients is not expected to cause serious side effects in people who are not pregnant or are trying to become pregnant. But the safety of prenatal vitamins has not been well studied outside of pregnancy. Males should not take prenatal vitamins. Prenatal vitamins contain too much iron for males. Talk with your health care provider before taking a prenatal vitamin.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Prenatal vitamins are LIKELY SAFE when used appropriately during pregnancy. Talk with your health care provider about what type of prenatal vitamin is appropriate for you.

Breast-feeding: Prenatal vitamins are POSSIBLY SAFE when used appropriately while breast-feeding. Talk with your health care provider before taking a prenatal vitamin.

Interactions

We currently have no information for Prenatal Vitamins overview.

Dosing

Prenatal vitamins are typically taken once daily. The ingredients vary greatly between different types of vitamins. It is important to ensure the prenatal vitamin supplement you take is right for you. For help choosing a prenatal vitamin, be sure to seek guidance from your physician or other healthcare professional.
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