by Diana Vanderpool

Created on: October 21, 2008   Last Updated: October 28, 2008

When To Take Prenatal Vitamins

So your planning on having a baby. When there are so many things to prepare for and so many decisions to be made, and so many questions to be answered. One important question that comes up more often than not, when should I start taking prenatal vitamins ? Realistically most woman do not get the proper nutrition they need, and are likely lacking some crucial nutrience that is critical in the proper development of your baby. Woman especially with certain health issues, diet restrictions, including vegetarians and vegans, lactose - intolerant or other food intolerance's will be lacking these necessary vitamins to ensure a proper pregnancy. Evidence shows that the mothers body will need enough nutrition "On Board" to ensure the baby's growth will be on track for development. It is recommended that the mother start taking prenatal vitamins 2 - 3 months before even trying to conceive. Within the first trimester of pregnancy all the baby's major organs are forming and developing, including the neural tube, which is the brain and spinal cord. With proper nutrition already "On Board" you will be helping to prevent your baby from having any neural tube defects, such as spinal bifida, that could occur within the first trimester of pregnancy. In order to maintain the proper development of your baby the Food and Nutrition Board recommends a prenatal vitamin with a sufficient amount of, or equal to: 1000 mg. of calcium, 700 mg. phosphorus, 30 mg. iron, 15 mg. zinc, 175 mg. iodine, 360 mg. magnesium, 800 re. vitamin A, 5 g. vitamin D, 10 mg. vitamin E, 70 mg. vitamin C, 600 ug. Folic Acid, 1.4 mg. Riboflavin, 18 mg. Niacin, 1.9 mg. vitamin B6, and 2.6 ug. vitamin B12, all while still eating a healthy diet, which in turn will help process the vitamins more effectively and efficiently. If you are planning on breast feeding your baby after birth, it is also recommended that a prenatal vitamin still be taken. Research showed that vitamins and minerals from these prenatal vitamins passed through the breast milk giving your baby the vital nutrition so desperately needed in the first six months of life. Not only protecting your baby from disease fighting substances, but also lowering the risk of gastrointestinal trouble, respiratory problems, and ear infections. Prenatal vitamins can be obtained from just about anywhere, most likely prescribed by your prenatal doctor, or you can locate them yourself at your nearest drug store. The cost of prenatal vitamins can vary, if buying in bulk, which is typically more cost effective, they will range anywhere from $12.00 and up.

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