Should you take vitamins while pregnant?

Answer 1

Too much Vitamin A has been seen to cause birth defects and liver toxicity. Vitamin A in the form of Beta-Carotene (carotenoids) is okay, and actually necessary for proper fetus development and post-birth tissue repair. But avoid it in the preformed or retinol form (retinoids). Carotenoids are going to be found in fruit and vegetables, where retinoids are found in animal products (dairy, eggs, meat and liver).

Answer 2

"There is a point at which you should start being careful about vitamin supplements -- some are not recommended for use during pregnancy. Anyway, your OB should be able to fill you in. It should be possible to get everything you need through diet, barring those weird and wonderful (not!) shortages that your body invents during pregnancy -- magnesium/potassium and calcium leap to mind for a few people I know -- when you do need extras."

"Take a multi-vitamin with folic acid (cuts down the chance of neural tube defects)."

"Take a folate supplement. Folate has been shown to lessen the risk of spina bifida and other birth defects of the brain and spinal cord. Folate (also known as folic acid) should be added to your diet and into pregnancy. You can get the 0.4-1.0 milligrams you need from a multivitamin or prenatal supplement or by eating more dark green leafy vegetables, liver, fruit, green beans and whole grains."

You should take the necessary pre-natal vitamins given to you by your OB-GYN. Most pregnant women also are directed by their OB to take Iron tablets since iron deficiency is very common among pregnant women. Beofre taking any additional vitamins, you should ALWAYS ask your OB-GYN to ensure the safety of your baby.

when i found out the other day that i am pregnant, the nurse was telling me about pre-natal pills, and explained to me that they are a very large pill and that most women have a hard time taking them. after telling the nurse i have a hard enough time takig Tylenol, she told me than any MULTI - VITAMIN would do, she said that even a wal-mart no name brand would work. she also informed me that while she was pregnant with her first the thing that kept her baby the healthiest was when she was taking those flinstone chewables.

Actually you can take multivitamins but they have to at least have 800 mcg folic acid in them otherwise you are not getting enough folic acid that you need for healthy development of baby. However, most multivitamins have vitamin A which pregnant women are not supposed to be taking - it causes harm. Talking to you doctor is the best option to find the best prenatal vitamins for you.

Answer 3

Vitamin A is one of the vitamins that has been linked with causing problems in the developing baby. The recommended level is 5,000 IU (international units) of vitamin A a day from all sources, but this varies between governments. High doses are thought to cause kidney damage amongst other things in the baby which may not show up until later in their life. See the Web Links to the left for more information.

Answer 4

A lot of prenatal vitamins will have vitamin D included in the supplement. You should talk to your obstetrician before taking additional supplements for vitamin D but it is recommended you get a proper amount of Vitamin D while pregnant as it supports a healthy bone & immune system. It is rumored to help with preventing illnesses such as the flu & cold as well.

Answer 5

Yes. Some vitamins accumulate and can be detrimental in large quantities