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Taking prenatal vitamins before pregnancy reduces the risk of developmental problems such as neural tube defects, low birth weight, and preterm birth. Prenatal vitamins contain extra calcium and folic acid, which benefit both mother and baby, promoting healthy brain and spinal cord development. Additional calcium supplements and omega-3 fatty acid supplements are also recommended for bone and brain development.
If possible, prenatal vitamins should be taken before pregnancy. This will not only prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy, but it will also reduce the risks of some developmental problems that can occur during the early stages of pregnancy. Taking prenatal vitamins before pregnancy reduces the risks of neural tube defects, low birth weight, and preterm birth.
For women trying to conceive, preparing your body for pregnancy often includes taking prenatal vitamins. While prenatal vitamins are similar to regular multivitamins, they do include extra calcium and folic acid, which will benefit both mother and baby. Calcium is especially important for the mother’s health, as she will need stronger bones to support the extra weight associated with pregnancy. Many women also feel stronger and healthier, have more energy, and notice better skin, hair, and nails as a result of taking prenatal vitamins. For the growing baby, the main advantage of starting prenatal vitamins before pregnancy is that the increased levels of vitamins and nutrients needed during pregnancy will be present in the body before conception, allowing the baby to benefit from these nutrients. throughout the pregnancy.
Neural tube defects, such as spina bifida and anencephaly, are developmental problems with the spinal cord and brain. This can be prevented by making sure you get enough folic acid and B vitamins, both of which promote healthy brain and spinal cord development. Most neural tube defects arise within the first four weeks of conception, often before a woman even realizes that she is pregnant. If a woman has not received adequate amounts of folic acid and B vitamins, her baby will be at increased risk of developing these conditions. By starting prenatal vitamins before pregnancy, she can better ensure the healthy development of her baby’s nervous system and greatly reduce the risk of a neural tube defect.
Additional calcium supplements for bone development and omega-3 fatty acid supplements for brain development are other prenatal vitamins that women should ideally start taking before becoming pregnant. Brain development begins within the first month of pregnancy, so taking omega-3 prenatal vitamins before pregnancy will promote healthier early brain development. Calcium will help with healthy bone and tooth development, strengthening bones and teeth to help prevent bone and tooth problems later in life. Similarly, iron is necessary for proper blood and muscle growth, and taking more iron early in pregnancy will greatly decrease the chance of preterm delivery and low birth weight.
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