One of the best & easiest ways to support your pregnancy is to start taking a quality prenatal vitamin as soon as you find out you’re pregnant. Not all prenatal vitamins are alike, so it’s important to know what to look for when reading the ingredients list. We’ve compiled a list of key ingredients to look for when choosing a prenatal!
1.Folate
Folate may be absorbed better than folic acid. Taking folate is important to prevent neural tube defects.
2.Iron
Anemia can be common in pregnancy, so it’s important to take iron to support increased blood volume.
3.Choline
Important for fetal brain and spinal cord development.
4.Calcium and Vitamin D
Calcium is important for fetal bone development and Vitamin D aids in calcium absorption as well as supporting immune system.
5.DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
Very beneficial for fetal brain and eye development. DHA isn’t found in every prenatal, so be sure to read the label closely!
6. B6 & B12
B6 is good for combating nausea & B12 for supporting red blood cells.
7. Vitamin A
Important for gene expression and cellular production.
8. Vitamin C
Important for aiding in iron absorption, immune support, & tissue growth.
9. Iodine
Important for maternal thyroid hormone production. The thyroid hormone is necessary for healthy fetal brain development.
Other things to look out for:
Bioavailable forms of vitamins vs synthetic forms.
Please make sure it contains choline and DHA.
Third-party testing to ensure they are free from heavy metals.
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