Prenatal Vitamins
 Women have very specific nutritional needs, and this is never truer than during pregnancy. Developing babies require a lot of nutrients, and they get them from their mothers. In order to make up the difference and provide the proper nutrition to mother and child, it is often recommended that pregnant women take prenatal vitamins.
There are a variety of vitamins and minerals in prenatal vitamins, but some are more important than others, specifically folic acid, calcium, and iron.
- Folic acid - It is important to make sure your prenatal vitamins include enough folic acid. This nutrient helps reduce the risk of the baby being born with a birth defect called the "neural tube." Spina bifida is the most common type of neural tube defect, and it occurs when the spine doesn't completely close before the baby is born. This causes nerve damage, which may lead to paralysis, incontinence, and developmental problems. Some even believe that prenatal vitamins with high levels of folic acid be taken as soon as you begin to try to conceive to ensure optimum levels of this important nutrient.
- Calcium - This nutrient is important for women who aren't pregnant, but it is especially important for women who are. As the baby begins to develop bone, it takes calcium away from the mother, and many believe that prenatal vitamins containing this substance may be able to help prevent maternal bone loss.
- Iron - Iron deficiencies can cause anemia, which can lead to problems for both mom and baby. Iron also promotes healthy red blood cells and the transport of oxygen within the blood stream, which are very important for the health and development of the baby.
Those taking prenatal vitamins may want to ensure that the formulation they are using includes optimum amounts of these nutrients, as well as the other necessary vitamins for women, to ensure a happy and healthy pregnancy and baby.
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