We all know that one of the first things your doctor will recommend that you do when you find out that you are pregnant is to start taking a prenatal vitamin. But with so many different kinds and types of supplements on the market, what’s the best prenatal vitamin to take?
Are prenatal vitamins really that important?
What’s the best prenatal vitamin to take?
ACOG does not recommend one type of prenatal vitamin brand over any other, so in general, it’s best to go with the type of prenatal vitamin your doctor prescribes to you during your pregnancy. Your doctor may be able to tailor your prenatal vitamin prescription based on any of your own specific medical history, or a history with any previous pregnancies.
In general, the Mayo Clinic recommends that you look for a prenatal vitamin that includes:
- Folic acid
- Calcium
- Iron
- Vitamin D
When should you stop taking prenatal vitamins?
Along with taking prenatal vitamins all throughout your pregnancy, you may be surprised to hear that you should also continue to take them after the baby is born. Especially if you are breastfeeding, the postpartum time is a time when your body will get very depleted and go through a lot of drastic changes in a short amount of time, so you can help nourish it through recovery by continuing your prenatal vitamins.
And let’s be honest: Most of us need all the help we can get staying healthy ourselves when all of our attention and focus is on the baby.
"In those hectic first few weeks with a newborn, many moms don't eat as healthfully as they would like to," Melton added.
