QuestionHello Dr. Ramirez,
I am concerned about the amounts and types of vitamins I should be taking during (early) pregnancy. Prescription prenatals don't list the ingredients, and there does not seem to be any clear cut list anywhere of what pregnant women really need. For example, how much DHA is necessary- I have heard anywhere from 200-1200mg is needed? Also, what about the fat-soluble vitamins A,D,E,& K? I currently take a prenatal (Rx), calcium, B-12, B-complex, extra folic acid (hx of spina bifida in Husband's family), & fish oil. I know there are some vitamins that are toxic in too high doses, and some that can cause serious birth defects if not high enough doses. Is there a resource somewhere, or do you have a list of what is recommended?
Thank you for your help,
Polly
Canton, MI
AnswerHello,
I am not aware of any resource that would list the absolute requirements for vitamins, other than folic acid (1 mg). Prenatal vitamins vary in their content. Recentlly DHA has been found to be beneficial, and therefore has been added to PNV. Same with fatty acids. I am not sure that they really make any difference. As long as you are taking a prenatal vitamin, I don't think you need to worry that you are getting doses that would be detrimental to the pregnancy. Manufacturers are extra careful of that because of the litigation risk.
You might want to querry the ACOG website and see if there is any specific information there. That is the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Sincerely,
Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
