Category: Prenatal care

The baby's neural tube, which forms the brain and spinal cord, develops in the first month of pregnancy—often before a woman knows she is pregnant. This is why knowing how important are prenatals before conception is critical for giving a baby the best possible start.

Recent studies highlight the fact that the source of your prenatal vitamins, whether whole food-based or synthetic, can significantly impact nutrient absorption and overall maternal health. This guide explores the critical differences to help you decide: are whole food prenatal vitamins better than synthetic?

An average fetus accretes about 30g of calcium by the end of full-term gestation, with a large portion transferring during the third trimester. Therefore, understanding what is a good source of calcium during pregnancy is crucial for supporting fetal development and protecting maternal bone health.

Studies show that omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for human health, supporting everything from brain function to cardiovascular wellness. While the term 'pre omega' is not a formal medical term, it commonly refers to the practice of preparing your body for optimal omega-3 intake, particularly in the context of prenatal health.

Up to 85% of pregnant women experience nausea, a symptom that can sometimes be worsened by supplements. So, what do prenatals make you feel like, and how can you distinguish between vitamin-induced discomfort and standard pregnancy symptoms?

According to an analysis involving over 1,000 pregnant women, approximately 30% of expectant mothers do not take prenatal vitamins as recommended. Understanding what happens if you don't take prenatal vitamins daily is crucial for protecting both maternal and fetal health.

According to the CDC, approximately half of all pregnancies are unplanned, making consistent nutrient intake, especially folic acid, critical from the earliest stages. If you find yourself asking, 'Is it bad if I keep forgetting to take my prenatals?', the answer depends on the frequency, but regular forgetfulness can pose risks to both you and your baby's health.

According to the CDC, all women who can become pregnant should get 400 mcg of folic acid daily. Despite public health campaigns, many people still question whether this B-vitamin is the same as iodine, a common misconception that can lead to confusion about proper nutrition.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, folic acid supplementation can reduce the risk of neural tube defects by up to 70%, underscoring the critical difference between a prenatal or multivitamin. This decision hinges on your specific nutritional needs, particularly if you are pregnant, planning to conceive, or are not in your childbearing years.

For optimal maternal and fetal health, most major healthcare associations recommend that all pregnant individuals, or those trying to conceive, take a daily prenatal vitamin. This is why the question, 'Do doctors prescribe vitamins for pregnancy?', is so common, and the answer is that they frequently recommend and sometimes write prescriptions for them to address the specific and increased nutritional needs during this crucial time.