While expecting a baby may be the most exhilarating feeling ever, it’s also the scariest when deciding what’s best for it. Almost everyone who’s expecting has heard of prenatal vitamins as part of a common way to ensure their baby properly develops. So what happens if you don’t take prenatal vitamins while pregnant?
Many people still don’t really understand the health benefits of prenatal vitamins and how important they are in the early stages of pregnancy. That’s why this article is dedicated to informing you about everything that may be a concern with this sort of therapy. Continue reading to learn about the benefits, the consequences of not taking them, and the common side effects.
What Happens If You Don’t Take Prenatal Vitamins While Pregnant?
To keep it short, there’s a risk of developing a few health conditions if you don’t take prenatal vitamins while pregnant. The most common problem is for nutritional deficiencies to worsen during pregnancy due to increased nutritional demands and energy. Other more serious conditions may appear in the form of neural tube defects, such as anencephaly and spina bifida.
Spina bifida is considered the less dangerous of the two. With this condition, babies are prone to having physical disabilities because their spine isn’t formed correctly. On the other hand, anencephaly is fatal for your baby because the skull and brain don’t form correctly.
The main function of prenatal vitamins is to support your body while pregnant and your baby’s development. They do this by helping your body maintain the vitamins and nutrients needed during pregnancy. If you aren’t getting enough supplements crucial for your body while pregnant or trying to get pregnant, your doctor may prescribe you these pills.
It’s important to learn all there is to know about prenatal vitamins to ensure that your pregnancy goes smoothly. Prenatal pills will help you prevent complications and experience a healthy pregnancy, but don’t increase fertility.
When’s the right time to start taking prenatal vitamins?
You can start taking prenatal vitamins as soon as three months prior to your pregnancy. If you’re actually planning on having a baby, it’s wise to start taking them to protect the fetus from defects that may appear in the early stages of the pregnancy.
Even if you haven’t taken any vitamins before getting pregnant, don’t worry. You can still start taking them during the early months of your pregnancy. Moreover, iodine supplements are even recommended while breastfeeding.
It’s recommended to take prenatal vitamins every day at the same time, adjusting the timing to prevent some of the side effects. Depending on the type of therapy you take, you can either take them before, during, or after a meal. For example, if you’re feeling nauseous you should take them with food, while pills that consist of iron should be taken on an empty stomach.
Including this therapy in your daily diet has been researched in a few studies in which they’ve shown to support strong maternal and child nutrition. Furthermore, they have a range of health and well-being-related benefits that are an important part of prenatal care.
Read more: How Much Rice Cereal In Bottle For 1 Month Old
What Are Prenatal Vitamins Made Of?
Prenatal vitamins usually contain several important nutrients. Some of them are:
Iron
Crucial for reducing the risk of anemia, postpartum depression, and premature delivery. Its main role is for the placenta’s development and supplies oxygen to the fetus. Pregnant women are supposed to take 27 milligrams daily.
Folic acid
Also known as vitamin B or folate. It’s used to help with the baby’s development and prevent birth defects. The recommended daily dose is 400 micrograms, the same amount the pills contain.
Vitamin A
Used to support eye development. The recommended daily dose is 800 milligrams, but this increases to approximately 10% to 20% while pregnant.
Calcium
Used for teeth, muscle, and bone development. When pregnant, you need at least 1,000 milligrams of calcium, and the pills usually contain around 200-300 milligrams.
Zinc
Helps reduce preterm births. When pregnant, you should take up to 11 milligrams per day. When breastfeeding, this goes up to 12 milligrams a day. This happens because lactation has a risk of reducing the amount of zinc in your body.
Possible Side Effects of Taking Prenatal Vitamins
Always consult with a medical professional before you begin prenatal therapy. Your doctor will determine the right dose and method you should use. Keep in mind that taking a bigger dose than the recommended one may harm your baby.
Just like every other therapy, there are possible side effects that may occur from taking prenatal vitamins. Some of them include:
- Constipation (caused by the iron contained in the pills)
- Muscle pain
- Hives
- Dry eyes
- Dizziness and blurred vision
- Teeth staining
You should also consult with your doctor if you’re taking any other kind of medication to avoid negative interactions with prenatal pills. This especially concerns you if you’re taking: high blood pressure pills, pain relievers, heart medications, diuretics, or sulfamethoxazole.
It’s important to note that prenatal vitamins aren’t a substitute for a healthy diet. Make sure to eat the right meals rich in minerals and nutrients.
Also read: What Should Newborn Wear to Sleep in Winter?
Conclusion
After reading this article, you should already be informed about what happens if you don’t take prenatal vitamins while pregnant. Knowing what the vitamins actually contain and how they affect your and your baby’s development is always a great way to start. As it’s elaborated on about the most important information on prenatal vitamins, it’s up to you to decide what’s right for you and your baby.
Prenatal vitamins help reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy, vitamin deficiencies, and congenital disabilities. Don’t forget that this can lead to even more severe conditions. The complications may happen to both the mother and the baby, either during or after the pregnancy.
If you’re already expecting and thinking of trying them out, it’s highly recommended to consult with your doctor as soon as possible. As it’s stated above, a medical healthcare professional is the only person who can determine the dose you should take.
