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Prenatal Nutrition

Question

Why are pregnant women advised to take a prenatal vitamin and mineral supplement?

Answer

You should first turn to nutritious foods to meet your vitamin and mineral needs, but the reality is that many women’s diets fall short of the ideal. A prenatal vitamin supplement can fill in the nutritional gaps on those days when you don’t eat quite right. The secret is to supplement sensibly.

A multiple-vitamin-and-mineral supplement that supplies about 100% of the Daily Values for each nutrient (as listed on the label) is sufficient for most adults. However, during pregnancy, iron, calcium, and folic acid are required at higher levels. Therefore, your physician may want you to take a vitamin-and-mineral supplement to help meet your needs.

Pregnancy isn’t the time to experiment with large doses of single nutrients, since megadoses of some of them—such as iron, chromium, vitamin A, selenium, and fluoride—can produce numerous side effects, ranging from mottled teeth to birth defects. Always consult your physician before taking any prenatal vitamin and mineral supplement during pregnancy.

MEET OUR EXPERTS

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Meet Our Experts

The START HEALTHY, STAY HEALTHY™ Resource Center panel of experts offers practical advice, answering many questions typically asked by parents and expecting parents.

Lillian M. Beard, M.D. Pediatric Health

Lillian M. Beard, M.D., is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and an associate clinical professor at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She is a frequent guest expert and spokesperson on national TV programs, discussing issues related to children's health. Dr. Beard practices pediatrics in the Washington, D.C., area.

José M. Saavedra, M.D., FAAP Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

José M. Saavedra, M.D., a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, is a pediatric gastroenterologist with long-term experience and expertise in nutrition. Medical and Scientific Director of Nestlé Nutrition North America, Dr. Saavedra is board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, the Sub-board of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, and the American Board of Nutrition. He is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the Johns Hopkins-Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Roy M. Pitkin, M.D. Prenatal Health

Roy M. Pitkin, M.D. is professor of obstetrics and gynecology and is former chairperson of the ob/gyn department at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), School of Medicine. He is a frequent advisor to national health agencies concerned with women's health issues and has received numerous international honors for this work.

Robert N. Hamburger, M.D. Food Intolerances

Robert N. Hamburger, M.D. is professor of pediatrics emeritus and former head of the pediatric immunology and allergy division at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) in La Jolla, California. Professor Hamburger is a consultant and continues as an educator and clinician in the UCSD Free Clinics in San Diego and Tijuana, Baja California.

Essential minerals for pregnancy My doctor prescribed a vitamin and mineral supplement. Can't I just buy one over the counter? Nutrition for baby and you