A nutritious diet is the best way to fuel your body. Healthy foods like fruit, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains are packed with the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients you need to enjoy your best health.
And when you’re pregnant, it’s especially important to make sure you’re getting all of those essential nutrients. Growing a baby is an incredible feat, and prenatal vitamins are specially formulated to ensure you and your baby are getting what you need.
You should be taking daily prenatal vitamins if you’re pregnant or trying for a baby. But with all of the vitamins and supplements available today, the options can get confusing.
Farly Sejour, MD, Natalie Gould, WHNP-BC, and our team at Solace Women's Care in Conroe, Texas, specialize in prenatal care. If you’re wondering what supplements to take (and avoid) while you're pregnant, you’ve come to the right place.
Most of the time, you get enough nutrients through a healthy diet alone. However, being pregnant creates more demand within your body, and prenatal vitamins are an important supplement to your diet.
When it comes to prenatal supplements, folic acid might be the best-known. It’s a man-made form of folate, a B vitamin. Folic acid plays a critical role in your baby’s neural tube development, which includes their brain and spinal cord.
Folic acid isn’t the only supplement you need, though. A good prenatal vitamin should contain a handful of nutrients, including:
This isn’t an exhaustive list, and every woman’s needs are different. Talk to Dr. Sejour and our team to find out how much of each supplement you should be taking, and get recommendations for a good prenatal vitamin.
If you’re looking for more information about medications that can be taken during pregnancy, take a look at our list of pregnancy-safe medications.
When you’re pregnant, it’s important to make sure the vitamins, supplements, and medications you take are pregnancy-safe. Dr. Sejour and our team are here to help you review your current medications and answer your questions about pregnancy-safe supplements.
In general, you shouldn’t take more than the recommended daily value of any vitamin or supplement. Additionally, certain herbal remedies may be dangerous to take during pregnancy. These include:
If you’re not sure about a supplement, ask us. And remember: Never stop taking a prescription medication or start taking a new supplement without talking to your doctor first — especially if you’re pregnant.
Taking prenatal supplements helps fill gaps in your diet and give your baby their healthiest possible start.
To learn more about the essential nutrients you need during pregnancy, book an appointment at Solace Women’s Care. Send us a message online or call our office at 936-441-7100 today.
