Prenatal Vitamins

Prenatal vitamins provide important vitamins and minerals necessary for a healthy pregnancy. They are also beneficial for women who are breastfeeding or trying to get pregnant. You can buy prenatal vitamins over the counter, but some are only available with a prescription. They come in several forms, including tablets, softgels, chewable tablets, and as a liquid. Side effects may include nausea, constipation, and diarrhea.

 

What Are Prenatal Vitamins?

Prenatal vitamins are multivitamin and mineral supplements that are specifically designed for pregnant women. They are also beneficial for women who are breastfeeding or trying to conceive. Some prenatal vitamins are only available with a prescription (see Prescription Prenatal Vitamins), although several non-prescription forms are also available (see Over-the-Counter Prenatal Vitamins).
 
(Click Prenatal Vitamin Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Do I Need a Prenatal Vitamin?

If you are careful to eat a balanced and nutritious diet, you may not need to take a prenatal vitamin.
 It is particularly important to get enough folic acid, calcium, and iron. However, it is difficult for most women to get all of the nutrients they need just through dietary means, due to a variety of reasons, such as morning sickness, food allergies, restrictive diets (such as a vegetarian diet), or simply busy lifestyles.
 
Because prenatal vitamins are safe and inexpensive, most healthcare providers recommend them for all pregnant women.
 

How Do Prenatal Vitamins Work?

Prenatal vitamins contain a variety of vitamins and minerals that are important for a healthy pregnancy. Most importantly, they contain folic acid, an important nutrient that can prevent certain birth defects (such as spina bifida). They also usually contain iron, calcium, and a variety of other vitamins and minerals.
 
Some prenatal vitamins now have omega-3 fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which may be important for brain and eye development. Also, some contain docusate sodium, a stool softener that can help prevent or relieve constipation (which is common during pregnancy and can be made worse by the minerals in prenatal vitamins).
 

When and How to Take Prenatal Vitamins

Some general considerations for when and how to take prenatal vitamins include the following:
 
  • The vitamins come in tablets, softgels, chewable tablets, and even liquids. Most are taken by mouth once daily, although some are taken twice a day.
     
  • It does not matter what time of day you take most prenatal vitamins. If they seem to make your morning sickness worse, try taking them later in the day.
     
  • Most prenatal vitamins can be taken with food or on an empty stomach. The iron in them may be better absorbed on an empty stomach, but most women find that taking the vitamins with a little bit of food usually helps with stomach upset.
     
  • Let your healthcare provider know if you have trouble keeping the vitamins down or if they cause significant nausea. He or she may have some useful suggestions or may recommend a different prenatal vitamin.
     
  • For the vitamins to work properly, they must be taken as prescribed. Prenatal vitamins will not work if you stop taking them.
     

Side Effects of Prenatal Vitamins

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with prenatal vitamins. However, not everyone who takes the vitamins will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate them quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
 
Some of the possible side effects include but are not limited to:
 
(Click Prenatal Vitamin Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
 

Drug Interactions With Prenatal Vitamins

Prenatal vitamins can potentially interact with a few other medications (see Prenatal Vitamin Drug Interactions).
 

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Prenatal Vitamins?

Talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking the vitamins if you have:
 
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Prenatal Vitamin Warnings and Precautions to learn more, including information on who should not take them.)
 

What If I Take an Overdose of Prenatal Vitamins?

It is not exactly known what to expect from an overdose with prenatal vitamins. It is reasonable to assume that the side effects from taking too much of any of the active ingredients (particularly iron) in them might cause problems. If you think you or someone else may have taken too much, seek immediate medical attention.
 
(Click Prenatal Vitamin Overdose for more information.)
 

What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?

If you forget to take your prenatal vitamins, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose. If you vomit after taking a dose, do not take another dose (it is difficult to tell how much of the vitamins were absorbed into your body). If you regularly vomit after taking a dose, talk with your healthcare provider.
 

Are Generic Prenatal Vitamins Available?

Several manufacturers make generic, low-cost prenatal vitamins (see Generic Prenatal Vitamins for more information).
 
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;