what happens to your body when you take prenatal vitamins?
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Most women who take prenatal vitamins as directed by their doctor or midwife experience little or no side effects from prenatal vitamins. The iron in prenatal vitamins may cause constipation, and some women complain of nausea. You also may have diarrhea, dark stools, low appetite, and stomach upset or cramps.
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In general, prenatal vitamins should be taken on an empty stomach with water. If you experience nausea while taking your prenatal vitamins, take your vitamin at bedtime and with a light snack. If you experience extreme nausea, immediately consult your primary health care provider.
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How long should you take prenatal vitamins for? It's best to take prenatal vitamins throughout your entire pregnancy. Your healthcare provider may suggest continuing to take prenatal vitamins after the baby is born — especially if you're breastfeeding.
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When do I need to start taking prenatal vitamins? Start taking folic acid at least 1 month before you start trying to get pregnant. The first few weeks of pregnancy are a really important time for fetal health and development. Taking folic acid and other prenatal vitamins can help reduce the risk of some birth defects.
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Since prenatal vitamins are a multivitamin, taking them before lunch is an optimal time to absorb all that they contain. A good prenatal vitamin will include calcium, iron, and folic acid, according to the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG).
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There is no evidence that prenatal vitamins make you gain weight. Most pregnant women gain about 25-35 pounds throughout their pregnancy whether they use a prenatal vitamin or not. And since vitamins contain zero calories, the weight gain is likely just due to the pregnancy itself.
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Some prenatal vitamin brands recommend taking their vitamins on an empty stomach or with a glass of water. If it seems like taking the vitamins first thing in the morning or without food is making you sick, try taking them right before you go to bed.
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Children's vitamins that have folic acid can also be used. If you stop taking a prenatal multivitamin, you should take one tablet of folic acid daily (0.4 mg, which is 400 micrograms per day). Folic acid tablets will not worsen nausea.
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In fact, it's generally a good idea for women of reproductive age to regularly take a prenatal vitamin. The baby's neural tube, which becomes the brain and spinal cord, develops during the first month of pregnancy — perhaps before you even know that you're pregnant.
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If you're planning to become pregnant, your doctor will recommend that you begin taking a prenatal vitamin. You should begin taking a prenatal vitamin with folic acid three months before trying to conceive. Prenatal vitamins contain extra amounts of folic acid, iron, and calcium needed during pregnancy.
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Talking to your Healthcare Provider About Prenatal Vitamins These essential nutrients should be included in every prenatal diet during the second trimester. The Prenate® Vitamin Family helps support expecting moms with robust doses of key nutrients.
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Do Prenatal Vitamins Help Mothers Gain Energy? Although prenatal vitamins are not intended to increase your level of energy, if you are anemic, the iron in such vitamins may help combat that condition and increase your energy, according to Dr. Allison Hill, a Los Angeles-based obstetrician and gynecologist.
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When Should You Take Prenatal Vitamins? Folic acid should be started at least one month prior to conception. It's best to start taking prenatal vitamins while you're trying to get pregnant. The birth defects prevented by folic acid happen within the first few weeks of pregnancy -- before you even know you're expecting.
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Taking a prenatal vitamin is perfectly healthy for someone not looking to conceive. While it won't support fertility, it will replenish folic acid, iron, vitamin D, and calcium stores in the body. This can help keep you strong and prevent potential health complications in an unexpected pregnancy.
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Prenatal vitamins consist of a variety of vitamins and minerals that help your baby get the nutrients that are essential for healthy development. During pregnancy, a woman's daily intake requirements for certain nutrients, such as folic acid (folate), calcium, and iron will increase.
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Taking prenatal vitamins with birth control does not trigger any side effects in the short-term. You may experience side effects common to birth control, such as headaches and tender breasts, as well as side effects common to prenatal vitamins, such as nausea and constipation.
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“There is no evidence that prenatal vitamins do anything for hair, skin and nails.” She also adds, “If you are not expecting, and not planning a future pregnancy, the higher doses of certain vitamins and minerals in the prenatal pill could cause harm if used over a long period of time.