How long prenatal vitamins should be taken

Find out more about healthy eating if you're pregnant and vegetarian or vegan. You may be eligible for the Healthy Start scheme , which provides vouchers to buy milk and plain fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables at local shops.

You can also get coupons that can be exchanged for free vitamins. If you're not eligible for the Healthy Start scheme, some NHS organisations still offer the vitamins for free, or sell them. Ask a midwife about what's available in your area.

Find out more about the Healthy Start scheme or call to get an application form. Sign up for Start4Life's weekly emails for expert advice, videos and tips on pregnancy, birth and beyond. Page last reviewed: 14 February Next review due: 14 February Home Pregnancy Keeping well in pregnancy Back to Keeping well in pregnancy.

Vitamins, supplements and nutrition in pregnancy. It's recommended that you take: micrograms of folic acid every day — from before you're pregnant until you're 12 weeks pregnant This is to reduce the risk of problems in the baby's development in the early weeks of pregnancy. Where to get pregnancy supplements You can get supplements from pharmacies and supermarkets, or a GP may be able to prescribe them for you. Higher-dose folic acid If you have a higher chance of your pregnancy being affected by neural tube defects, you will be advised to take a higher dose of folic acid 5 milligrams.

You may have a higher chance if: you or the baby's biological father have a neural tube defect you or the baby's biological father have a family history of neural tube defects you have had a previous pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect you have diabetes you take anti-epilepsy medicine you take anti-retroviral medicine for HIV If any of this applies to you, talk to a GP. Vitamin D in pregnancy You need 10 micrograms of vitamin D each day and should consider taking a supplement containing this amount between September and March.

If you think you're pregnant and are not taking a supplement, don't wait until your first appointment for a prescription because you will have missed a crucial developmental period for your baby:.

So start taking an over-the-counter folic acid supplement with micrograms right away. Still have questions when it comes to taking prenatal vitamins? You're not alone. We tackled the most common questions expecting moms have about prenatal vitamins to get you guidance from the experts.

Folic acid helps prevent neural-tube defects; iron is important for the delivery of oxygen to the baby and prevents anemia in the mom; and calcium helps build your baby's bones and prevents bone loss in the mother.

Prescription vitamins are regulated by the Food and Drug administration, but they're not required to contain certain nutrients. Some have a little of everything; others contain only a handful of nutrients. If you have special health considerations, your OB may suggest a supplement with added nutrients to meet your needs.

There's nothing wrong with taking over-the-counter vitamins as long as they have a USP U. Pharmacopeia seal or NSF International certification; these organizations monitor supplement quality. Prenatal vitamins are made specifically for pregnant ladies, and specifically contain the recommended levels of folic acid and iron to support you and your pregnancy. Your body will also need to make extra blood to support the development of your placenta and baby during pregnancy.

This increased amount is usually found in most prenatal vitamins make sure you check your labels! If you take more than the recommended dose, you can harm your baby.

Some of their nutrients include:. The iron in prenatals can cause constipation, and you may also have low appetite, stomach cramps, dark stools, and diarrhea. You can ease your symptoms by:. Other prenatal vitamins side effects that can appear include:. Let your doctor know if you are taking pain relievers, heart medications, high blood pressure pills, sulfamethoxazole, or diuretics, as these can have negative interactions with prenate pills. Your healthcare provider can advise you on when to start taking prenatal vitamins.

Do prenatal vitamins make you fertile? Prenate pills do not increase fertility, but they can help you experience a healthy pregnancy and prevent complications. Women who are planning to get pregnant should take their vitamin three months before conception. Here are the benefits of taking prenatal vitamins before pregnancy:.

So, do prenatal vitamins make you fertile? A recent study does mention that vitamin B, folic acid, omega-3 fatty acids and healthy diets may increase fertility, and you can find some of these ingredients in the Conception Fertility Prenatal Vitamins Product. The Conception Fertility Prenatal Vitamins can help regulate your cycle and prepare your body for pregnancy.