A healthy diet is the best way to get the vitamins, nutrients, and minerals you need. However, during pregnancy, you might fall short on key nutrients. If you’re pregnant or hoping to conceive, prenatal multivitamins can help fill any gaps.
Why are Prenatal Vitamins Important?
During pregnancy, you need more iron and folic acid than usual. Why?
- Iron supports the development of the placenta and fetus. Iron helps your body produce blood to supply oxygen to the fetus. It also helps prevent anemia, a condition in which blood has a low number of healthy red blood cells.
- Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects. Neural tube defects are serious abnormalities of the fetal brain and spinal cord. Ideally, you should start taking extra folic acid at least 3 months before you become pregnant.
Why Take Multivitamins During Pregnancy?
Getting the right nutrients is crucial at every stage of life, but it is especially important during pregnancy as you will need to nourish both yourself and your growing baby. Below, we list down some reasons why you should take multivitamins during pregnancy.
- Pregnancy Increases the Need for Nutrients. During pregnancy, macronutrient intake needs increase significantly. Macronutrients include fats, proteins and carbohydrates. For instance, protein intake needs to increase from the recommended 0.8 grams per kg of body weight for non-pregnant women to 1.1 grams per kg of body weight for pregnant women.
While some people are able to meet this growing demand through a well-balanced eating plan, it can be challenging for others. You may need to take multivitamins and mineral supplements for various reasons, including:
- Nutrient deficiencies. Some pregnant women may need a supplement after a blood test reveals a deficiency in a mineral or vitamin. Correcting deficiencies is crucial, as a shortage of nutrients like folate has been liked to birth defects.
- Dietary restrictions. Women who follow specific diets, such as vegans, vegetarians, and those with allergies and food intolerances, may need to supplement with multivitamins to prevent micronutrient deficiencies.
- Poor nutrition. Women who choose foods that are low in nutrients may have to supplement with multivitamins to avoid deficiencies.
- Multiple pregnancies. Women carrying more than one baby have higher micronutrient requirements than women carrying one baby. Supplementing is often necessary to ensure optimal nutrition for both the mother and her babies.
Which Prenatal Vitamin is the Best? Best Multivitamins for Pregnant Women
A run-of-the mill multivitamin won’t cut it when you’re pregnant.
Prenatal vitamins are especially designed multivitamins that deliver the extra amount of nutrients necessary during the different stages of your baby’s development. For instance, they contain folic acid, which is important for your baby’s brain development in the earliest stages. Many also have calcium and vitamin D to build strong bones and teeth during the third trimester of pregnancy.
Plus, prenatal vitamins help ensure that you have enough nutrients such as iron, to not only provide to your baby, but also to ensure that your own body doesn’t become depleted.
Prenatal multivitamins for pregnant mothers are available over-the-counter in nearly any pharmacy. To ensure that you get the best one, talk to your OB-GYN so they can recommend a specific brand.
When choosing a prenatal vitamin – beyond checking for iron and folic acid – look for a prenatal vitamin that contains vitamin D and calcium. They help promote the development of the baby’s bones and teeth. It might also be beneficial to look for a prenatal vitamin that contains Vitamins A, C, E, as well as B vitamins, iodine and zinc.
Furthermore, your healthcare provider might also recommend higher doses of certain nutrients depending on your specific circumstances.
Below, we list down some multivitamins for pregnant women in the Philippines.
- Obimin® Plus Multivitamins + Minerals + DHA + EPA
Obimin® Plus Multivitamins + Minerals + DHA + EPA is a pre- and postnatal supplement to help provide adequate supply of minerals, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids, EPA, and DHA during pregnancy and lactation.
- One A Day Women’s Prenatal 1 Multivitamin
One A Day Women’s Prenatal 1 Multivitamin is a complete prenatal multivitamin specially formulated to provide women with nutritional support before, during, and after pregnancy. This multivitamin contains key nutrients, including calcium, iron, folic acid, omega-3 DHA, and vitamin D.
- Vitafusion Prenatal Essential Multi for Mom & Baby’s Everyday Health Needs
Vitafusion Prenatal Essential Multi packs many of the essential nutrients pregnant women need (including DHA) into a raspberry- and lemon-flavored chew. Vitafusion Prenatal Essential Multi provides essential minerals and vitamins for pregnant and lactating women. Each serving provides 100% DV folic acid and 50mg omega-3 DHA.
- Nature Made Prenatal + DHA Multivitamin
Nature Made Prenatal + DHA Multivitamin is especially formulated to support the development of baby’s brain, nervous system, eyes and bones. And they have clinically-proven absorption of folic acid and iron. With iron, folic acid, and a full vitamin profile including all 8 B vitamins, and vitamins A, C, D, E, and K, you can think of Nature Made Prenatal + DHA Multivitamin as nutritional support for you and your baby!
- Mama Bird Prenatal Multivitamin
Mama Bird Prenatal Multivitamin is unique. This multivitamin only contains methylated vitamins, including methylfolate (natural folic acid), Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate (natural B6), and methylcobalamin (natural B12). It is easy to swallow and ultra-gentle on an empty stomach. One serving a day is convenient and easy to remember. Mama Bird Prenatal Multivitamin is free of yeast, soy, sugar, preservatives, artificial colors and flavors, fish/shellfish, nuts, dairy/lactose, and GMOs. No unsafe lead levels. This product is vegan and halal.
Always talk to your doctor before taking any prenatal vitamins or multivitamins. Not all multivitamins are equal, and what may work for others may not necessarily work for you. Your doctor should be able to recommend the best multivitamin for your specific situation, nutritional needs, and overall health status.
Prenatal Vitamins: Does It Cause Any Side Effects?
Sometimes, the iron in prenatal vitamins can contribute to constipation. To prevent constipation:
- Include more fiber in your diet
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Include physical activity in your daily routine (with your health care provider’s approval)
- Talk to your health care provider about using a stool softener
The Bottom Line
A healthy diet is the best way to get the vitamins, nutrients, and minerals you need. However, during pregnancy, you might fall short on key nutrients. If you’re pregnant or hoping to conceive, prenatal multivitamins can help fill any gaps.
Some of our top recommendations for the best multivitamins for pregnant women are • Obimin® Plus Multivitamins + Minerals + DHA + EPA, One A Day Women’s Prenatal 1 Multivitamin, Vitafusion Prenatal Essential Multi for Mom & Baby’s Everyday Health Needs, Nature Made Prenatal + DHA Multivitamin, and Mama Bird Prenatal Multivitamin.
Always talk to your doctor before taking any prenatal vitamins or multivitamins. Not all multivitamins are equal, and what may work for others may not necessarily work for you. Your doctor should be able to recommend the best multivitamin for your specific situation, nutritional needs, and overall health status.
Disclaimer: The information on this site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All information contained on this web site is for general information purposes only.
