Prenatal Vitamins

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Although I like to think I take care of myself, truthfully, my diet doesn't meet the recommended food intake of the Canada Food Guide, especially when it comes to fruits and vegetables.  I am working on at least one fruit a day, but veggies..enh..I probably get one to two servings?  I just don't want to be constantly eating as it's such an interference!  Fortunately, there's a 'magic' pill called a multivitamin, that makes up any deficiences I may have in my diet!

For those planning on having a baby, there is a different formulation of multivitamins, one which specifically targets the prenatal woman.  The recommended multivitamin plan is at least 12 weeks prior to trying to conceive until you are done breastfeeding.  Then, maybe go to a regular multivitamin dosing as we probably don't need as much iron (aka constipator).  According to WebMD, a website that in no way should substitute for a real physician, the recommended prenatal vitamin and mineral intake should be

• 400 mcg of folic acid
• 400 IU of vitamin D
• 200 to 300 mg of calcium
• 70 mg of vitamin C
• 3 mg of thiamine
• 2 mg of riboflavin
• 20 mg of niacine
• 6 mcg of vitamin B12
• 10 mg of vitamin E
• 15 mg of zinc
• 17 mg of iron

Folic acid (prevention of neural tube defects), calcium (for mom and fetal bone growth and density), and iron (for oxygen carrying purposes), I would highlight as one of the top 3 most important.  However, like many things, they intertwine in one way or another (think Vitamin D and Calcium) and the sum of all these vitamins/minerals is stronger than nit-picking and taking certain ones.  Plus you only have to take one pill to get everything!

Which one to buy?

You can get presciption ones from your MD, and I think depending on your plan, they will even be covered by your insurance.  I think you would have to be some special case though to get a prescription as multivites are readily available over the counter.

There's also a very popular multivitamin brand that is so so so overpriced when it comes to the others that are nearly identical.  It definitely goes to show that there is money made in trustworthy brands, concept of brand loyalty, and or brands that bring back that nostalgic feeling.  I didn't buy this popular brand though, instead I went with a stores housebrand version that was significantly cheaper, and had fulfilled the recommended dosage amounts and was IDENTICAL in its vitamin/mineral dosing.