PrimaCare
® and PrimaCare One are
prescription prenatal vitamins. In addition to the usual
prenatal vitamins, these supplements contain a blend of
omega-3 fatty acids that are important for eye and brain development, and that may also provide other health benefits. PrimaCare One is taken as just one soft gel per day, while PrimaCare is taken as one soft gel in the morning, plus one tablet in the evening.
PrimaCare products are made by Ther-Rx Corporation.
PrimaCare prenatal vitamins (including PrimaCare One) contain a variety of different vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids that are important for a healthy pregnancy. Most importantly, these products both contain
folic acid (1 mg per day), which is important to prevent certain birth defects. They also contain iron,
calcium, and a variety of other vitamins and minerals.
Unlike older prenatal vitamins, PrimaCare and PrimaCare One both contain a blend of
omega-3 fatty acids, including:
These omega-3 fatty acids provide a wide variety of health benefits. There is some evidence that they may decrease the risk of preterm birth (having a baby prematurely), improve brain function, and improve vision. In the mother, omega-3 fatty acids may lower the chance of
postpartum depression and may be important for bone and heart health. Fish are the main source of omega-3 fatty acids, and the typical American diet is usually deficient in omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, since many pregnant women are instructed to limit their intake of certain fish due to risks of mercury toxicity, it is likely that many pregnant women are not getting enough omega-3 fatty acids.
PrimaCare (but not PrimaCare One) contains docusate sodium, a stool softener that can help relieve
constipation (which is common during pregnancy and can be made worse by prenatal vitamins). Also, omega-3 fatty acids also have some activity as a stool softener.
