QuestionHello, I'm curious as to if I should take prenatal vitamins. I am 27 years old, and am thinking about pregnancy. Before my husband and I try, I want to make sure my body is prepared. Currently, I take supplements, and have been for a couple of years now. I'm a vegetarian so I do take extra iron and B-complex vitamins. Here are the current supplements that I take: I'm taking a once a day multivitamin (Centrum performance), a calcium supplement twice a day (which contains 1200 mg of Calcium, 800 IU of vitamin D, 100 mg of magnesium, 15 mg of zinc, 2 mg copper, 3.6 mg of manganese, and 500 mcg of Boron (all of this included in 2 pills). I take a vitamin C supplement of 1000 mg twice per day, an iron supplement of 65mg twice per day, a B-complex supplement twice per day (which contains Vitamin c- 300mg, B1- 200mg, b2-40mg, b3-50mg, b6-4mg, folic acid- 800 mcg, b12-30mcg, biotin-7.6mcg, panthothenic acid-10mg)(all of this in 2 pills). I also take a fruit and vegetable supplement for extra antioxidants. Considering all of this, should I go ahead and take prenatal vitamins anyway, or is what I'm taking enough? Would you recommend anything else, or do you think I'm pretty well covered? Thank you!
AnswerI think you're pretty well-covered! =) It sounds like you know more about nutrition and supplements than most people do. I think you're getting well enough of what you need and a prenatal vitamin would be overkill and might even be harmful. Prenatals are generally designed as all-in-one vitamins for pregnant women to take my themselves.
Since you are into nutrition, though, you may want to check out this site: http://www.blueribbonbaby.org/ Dr. Brewer's dietary guidelines are tried-and-true ones that have helped a lot of expectant mothers. They also have guidelines for vegan and vegetarian mothers as well so it's not one of those "you must eat meat" sites or anything like that.
Please let me know if I can help you further or with anything else.
Best wishes!
Helen =)
