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 prenatal vitamins are also available
(see Over-the-Counter Prenatal Vitamins).
Do I Need a Prenatal Vitamin?
If you are very 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.