As a parent, your main goal is to make the right decisions for yourself and your baby. From what type of formula or feeding method to use all the way down to the daily decisions, you just want to do what’s best for everyone. One thing that you might not think as much about is that there are decisions to make even before the baby is born. Your doctor is likely to recommend that you start taking a prenatal in order to make sure that your little one is getting all the nutrients they need while inside your womb. The question is, which prenatal is the best choice? Here are 5 considerations when choosing a prenatal:
1. Folic Acid
There are a few ingredients that you will want to make sure are included in your prenatal, the first being folic acid. This ingredient helps prevent neural tube defects. These defects can cause serious abnormalities of the fetal brain and spinal cord. That is one reason why doctors recommend starting prenatal vitamins as soon as possible. By finding a prenatal that contains at least 400 micrograms of folate, it may prevent up to 70 percent of neural tube defects.
2. Iron
Another key ingredient when choosing a prenatal vitamin is iron. It helps to support the development of the placenta and fetus. When you are pregnant, your body has to produce enough oxygen to transport to the fetus, which is something that iron can help with. Finding a supplement with iron in it can also help to prevent anemia, a condition in which blood has a lower number of healthy red blood cells.
3. Vitamin D
While all the main vitamins are crucial to have in a prenatal, vitamin D specifically plays an important role. It, along with calcium, is in charge of promoting your baby’s teeth and bones. While you will have to wait a few months before seeing your baby’s first tooth, having a prenatal with the proper amount of vitamin D is the first step. As you can imagine, making sure that your newborn baby’s bones are stable is key. While they will develop and strengthen for several months after birth, establishing a foundation is crucial.
4. Vitamin A
Vitamin A during pregnancy is essential for the development of your baby’s organs, eyes, and bones. In addition, it is helpful in the development of some of your little one’s key organ systems, including the circulatory, respiratory, and central nervous systems. Pregnant women are typically able to get the proper amount of vitamin A between their daily foods plus the use of a prenatal vitamin.
5. Fish Oil
Fish oil during pregnancy can aid in proper development of the fetal neurological system. Fish oil is part of a group of omega-3s known as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that are critical building blocks of the fetal brain and retina. By taking fish oil, a mom can support her child’s proper development. It doesn’t just help the mother, though — fish oil can prevent preterm labor and reduce the risk of preeclampsia!
Our prenatal vitamin, Fundamental Prenatal, has all the vitamins and nutrients that both mother and baby need during this crucial time of life. We want your body and your baby to thrive, which is why our product provides a science-based combination of supplements, vitamins, minerals, and an array of antioxidants that reflect the latest research in prenatal nutrition to provide optional health from preconception to nursing. Be sure to check out our other treatments that can be beneficial for the mental preparations and health that come with motherhood!
