Im Pregnant and now i need to know about the prenatal vitamins?
I just found out im pregnant on thursday 4-30-09 which makes me a little over 5 weeks. I called my doctor and everyone keeps asking me if im going to take prenatal vitamins. Now everyone in my family did not take them but one girl i work with started taking them and now she finds out her baby has spinal bifida. Should i still take vitamins? Im 22 years old 106 lbs (right now) and 5′4".
Im just scared my baby will end up like the one person i know taking the other vitamins. im scared now what do i do. Also this is my 2nd pregnancy first one i miscarried at 10 weeks but never knew i was pregnant.
thanks….
Yes u should definitly still take them. They are a very important key to your health and your babys.
For a mother’s health, and the health of her baby, she is advised to take so-called "prenatal vitamins" during pregnancy. These are specially formulated multivitamins that make up for any nutritional deficiencies in the mother’s diet. While the supplements contain numerous vitamins and minerals, their folic acid, iron, and calcium content are especially important.
Why Do Pregnant Women Need Folic Acid, Iron, and Calcium?
Folic acid can reduce your risk of having a baby with a serious birth defect of the brain and spinal cord, called the "neural tube." A baby with spina bifida, the most common neural tube defect, is born with a spine that is not closed. The exposed nerves are damaged, leaving the child with varying degrees of paralysis, incontinence, and sometimes mental retardation.
Neural tube defects develop in the first 28 days after conception, before many women realize they are pregnant. Because about half of all pregnancies are unplanned, the U.S. Public Health Service recommends that all women of childbearing age get 400 micrograms of folic acid each day. In fact, the FDA now requires that all flour products — such as breads, buns, and bagels — be fortified with extra folic acid. A woman who has had a prior child with a neural tube defect should discuss the appropriate dose of folic acid with her doctor before her next pregnancy. Studies have shown that taking a larger dose (up to 4,000 micrograms) at least one month before and during the first trimester may be beneficial.
There are natural sources of folic acid: green leafy vegetables, nuts, beans, and citrus fruits. It’s also found in many fortified breakfast cereals and some vitamin supplements.
Calcium during pregnancy can prevent a new mother from losing her own bone density as the fetus uses the mineral for bone growth.
Iron helps both the mother and baby’s blood carry oxygen.
While a daily vitamin supplement is no substitute for a healthy diet, most women need supplements to make sure they get adequate levels of these minerals.
Are All Prenatal Vitamins the Same?
No, they’re not. Look for one that contains approximately:
4,000 and 5,000 IU (international units) of vitamin A
800 and 1,000 mcg (1 mg) of folic acid
400 IU of vitamin D
200 to 300 mg of calcium
70 mg of vitamin C
1.5 mg of thiamine
1.6 mg of riboflavin
2.6 mg of pyridoxine
17 mg of niacinamide
2.2 mcg of vitamin B12
10 mg of vitamin E
15 mg of zinc
30 mg of iron
Your doctor or midwife can also advise you on certain brands. In some cases, your health care provider will give you a prescription for a certain type of prenatal vitamin.
its better to be safe than sorry. You can buy the vitamins over the counter at Wal-Mart for like $5 for 100 vitamins. That’s what I do. I am 27 and I was 140. 5′5". It cant hurt you but can help your baby be more healthy.
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The only problem you may run into with taking the vitamins is throwing up or nausea. They will not cause any developmental problems. But may help to prevent them.
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You really are supposed to take prenatal vitamins. They help the baby get proper nutrients that it needs to grow healthily. Most women do take prenatal vitamins, and the number of babies born with spinal bifida is low.
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17w4d.
The prenatal vitamins did not cause the spina bifida. The pills have vitamins that are essential for the baby’s growth and development. It ensures you that you are getting enough of the right vitamins.
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Prenatals are very important and are not the reason your coworkers baby has spinal bifida.
Prenatals provide all the vitamins and minerals for you and your baby since your diet will not have everything you need. Of course millions of women give birth to healthy babies without prenatals, but studies have shown women who take prenatals generally have healthier and smarter babies. Make sure you get ones that have folic acid. It also can’t hurt to take a Dha supplement.
Congrats on your pregnancy!
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Yes u should definitly still take them. They are a very important key to your health and your babys.
For a mother’s health, and the health of her baby, she is advised to take so-called "prenatal vitamins" during pregnancy. These are specially formulated multivitamins that make up for any nutritional deficiencies in the mother’s diet. While the supplements contain numerous vitamins and minerals, their folic acid, iron, and calcium content are especially important.
Why Do Pregnant Women Need Folic Acid, Iron, and Calcium?
Folic acid can reduce your risk of having a baby with a serious birth defect of the brain and spinal cord, called the "neural tube." A baby with spina bifida, the most common neural tube defect, is born with a spine that is not closed. The exposed nerves are damaged, leaving the child with varying degrees of paralysis, incontinence, and sometimes mental retardation.
Neural tube defects develop in the first 28 days after conception, before many women realize they are pregnant. Because about half of all pregnancies are unplanned, the U.S. Public Health Service recommends that all women of childbearing age get 400 micrograms of folic acid each day. In fact, the FDA now requires that all flour products — such as breads, buns, and bagels — be fortified with extra folic acid. A woman who has had a prior child with a neural tube defect should discuss the appropriate dose of folic acid with her doctor before her next pregnancy. Studies have shown that taking a larger dose (up to 4,000 micrograms) at least one month before and during the first trimester may be beneficial.
There are natural sources of folic acid: green leafy vegetables, nuts, beans, and citrus fruits. It’s also found in many fortified breakfast cereals and some vitamin supplements.
Calcium during pregnancy can prevent a new mother from losing her own bone density as the fetus uses the mineral for bone growth.
Iron helps both the mother and baby’s blood carry oxygen.
While a daily vitamin supplement is no substitute for a healthy diet, most women need supplements to make sure they get adequate levels of these minerals.
Are All Prenatal Vitamins the Same?
No, they’re not. Look for one that contains approximately:
4,000 and 5,000 IU (international units) of vitamin A
800 and 1,000 mcg (1 mg) of folic acid
400 IU of vitamin D
200 to 300 mg of calcium
70 mg of vitamin C
1.5 mg of thiamine
1.6 mg of riboflavin
2.6 mg of pyridoxine
17 mg of niacinamide
2.2 mcg of vitamin B12
10 mg of vitamin E
15 mg of zinc
30 mg of iron
Your doctor or midwife can also advise you on certain brands. In some cases, your health care provider will give you a prescription for a certain type of prenatal vitamin.
References :
http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/prenatal-vitamins
Taking vitamins does not cause spina bifida. Quite the reverse, There is extensive evidence that taking folic acid in the early weeks of pregnancy greatly reduces the risk of neural tube defects.
Prenatal vitamins are widely recommended, but are not 100% necessary if you eat a good diet. Your choice.
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Yes you should. Your friends baby didnt get spinal bifida from prenatal vitamins. It helps your baby bones and organs grow and become healthy. You dont have to take them but alot of Obgyns want you to take them for a better chance of a healthy baby.
If you dont know whether or not to take them ask your obgyn for recommendations.
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21 weeks pregnant with a baby girl
I’ve never heard of the prenatal vitamins themselves causing birth defects. Everyone I know has taken them and if they had any problems it was caused by other issues (such as not taking care of themselves, or the fact that miscarriages run high in my family).
I’m taking Nature Made multi prenatal, which was confirmed as a good brand by my doctor. If you’re really worried you could get a subscription to something and/or do research on whatever brand you’re going to get.
Vitamins themselves are nothing more than that. They just can help you make sure you get them all through the course of your day. What really counts is what foods you put in your body, taking care of your body physically, going to the doctors, ect.
Some people think prenatal vitamins are savers, but its just a fall back net. If you don’t eat right, it wont make that big a difference. I make sure to get lots of vitamins through my food and i try to eat as healthy as I can. I drink lots of water. I don’t go to fast foods if i can help it, or drink any caffeine at all.
I think you’ll be fine, but do access what you’re putting in your body, and think about the fact that your baby is sharing your plate. (Don’t overeat though, 2000-2300 calories is all you need in the beginning.)
Hope this was helpful, good luck!
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Vitamins are SO healthy for you AND the baby- and spinal bifida has nothing to do with taking them. That normally occurs when the baby isnt fully developed. Vitamins help the development of the baby to help prevent things such as spinal bifida.
Spinal Bifida:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spina_bifida
Prenatal supplements consist of a variety of vitamins and minerals. During pregnancy, a woman’s daily intake requirements for certain nutrients, such as folic acid (folate), calcium, and iron will increase. Vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, and folic acid are vital for proper fetal growth, development, and healthy adult living.
Prenatal Vitamins:
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/prenatalvitamins.html
To help increase your chances of creating a healthy and nutritious environment in which your baby can develop, it is important that you establish a well-balanced diet and exercise routine before you get pregnant. If you choose to supplement your diet with synthetic nutrients, be sure to keep track of daily amounts that you take and let your health care provider know.
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I can see your concern, but the experience that the girl you work had, is just coincidence. Think of all the women that do take prenatal vitamins and have healthy babies. You doctor will prescribe them and you should take them. In the prenatal vitamins are sources that your body needs extra amounts of that you won’t be able to get from just the foods you eat, no matter how good your diet is. Some of the vitamins actually help prevent miscarriages. Your growing baby will always get the nourishment from your food first, leaving your system depleted. You are wise to get as much information as possible, in this instance I suggest taking the supplements.
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http://www.newmommyteesandjeans.com
Definitely take prenatal vitamins! They are meant to PREVENT birth defects such as spina bifida. Don’t skip taking your vitamins. They are going to help, not harm you and your baby!
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Hello, Spina Bifida has nothing to do with taking prenatal vitamins. It is a genetic disorder that occurs in some births. I have read online that Folic Acid (which is in prenatal vitamins) can prevent this disorder. I took the vitamins with both of my children ages 2 and 8months and they are perfectly normal. Any doctor will tell you to take them and even give them to you for free! If you google Spina Bifida you will see for yourself the causes and treatments. The best thing for you and your baby would be to take the vitamins. They will make your hair shine, your nails grow long and your skin glow. The benefits for your baby are great! The DHA and ARA in the pills help the brain develop. The folic acid prevents things like Spina Bifida. I hope your doctor tells you the same and you take them, it is the best thing for you and baby!
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Mother of 2 healthy babies and tons of research while I was preggo!
prenatal vitamins dont cause defects in babies especially spinal bifida. If you get everything you need a day you dont have to but you should as a precaution to help your baby get the nutrition it needs.
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I would take them just because growing a baby inside of you takes alot of nutrients from you. I also aids in the growth of the baby and makes it healthier. I was prescribed them talk to your dr about the benefits of them and go from there.
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You should definitely take your prenatals. They are just vitamins so they won’t cause birth defects. Developing babies need the extra help since most of us don’t eat a perfect diet. There are certain supplements that your baby will benefit from that you can’t give them with normal eating habits. Like the other person said, better safe than sorry.
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