should i take prenatal vitamins if not pregnant?
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You may be tempted to take prenatal vitamins because of unproven claims that they promote thicker hair and stronger nails. However, if you're not pregnant and not planning to become pregnant, high levels of certain nutrients over a long period of time may actually be more harmful than helpful.
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Prenatal vitamins are supplements that contain daily vitamins and minerals you need before and during your pregnancy. Folic acid is the most important vitamin to take when planning a pregnancy. Folic acid is a B vitamin that cells in your body need for growing and developing.
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Best time to take prenatal vitamins Since prenatal vitamins are a multivitamin, taking them before lunch is an optimal time to absorb all that they contain. A good prenatal vitamin will include calcium, iron, and folic acid, according to the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG).
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Taking prenatal vitamins when you aren't pregnant or nursing could cause side effects such as upset stomach, constipation, and heartburn, says Arielle Levitan, M.D., co-founder of Vous Vitamin.
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When Should You Start Prenatal Vitamins? Earlier Than You Think. There are a lot of limits on the types of medications and supplements you can take during pregnancy — but prenatal vitamins are not only allowed, they're strongly recommended.
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Doctors have long recommended that women take folic acid before and during pregnancy to protect against neural tube defects such as anencephaly and spina bifida. Still, the updated folic acid recommendation comes after some researchers questioned whether prenatal supplements really benefit mothers-to-be and babies.
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Our rule of thumb: You should consider taking prenatal vitamins when you're thinking, trying, and when it's time—or in general, aim for 3 months ahead of conception. But let's dive in a little deeper, shall we?
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Take a prenatal. No, you're not pregnant yet — but taking a prenatal vitamin in the months leading up to conception can help prevent serious birth defects, preterm delivery, and — as a just-for-mom bonus — morning sickness. So ask your practitioner for a recommendation and get popping now.
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When Should You Take Prenatal Vitamins? Folic acid should be started at least one month prior to conception. It's best to start taking prenatal vitamins while you're trying to get pregnant. The birth defects prevented by folic acid happen within the first few weeks of pregnancy -- before you even know you're expecting.
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Take care with certain vitamins For example, high doses of vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin D or vitamin E can be dangerous. It's best not to take these vitamins as supplements in pregnancy. It's also best to avoid foods that may be very high in vitamin A, including liver and liver products such as pâté.
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Your health care provider may prescribe a prenatal vitamin for you at your first prenatal care checkup. Or you can buy them over the counter without a prescription. Take a prenatal vitamin every day during pregnancy. If you're planning to get pregnant, you can start taking prenatal vitamins before you get pregnant.
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How long should you take prenatal vitamins for? It's best to take prenatal vitamins throughout your entire pregnancy. Your healthcare provider may suggest continuing to take prenatal vitamins after the baby is born — especially if you're breastfeeding.
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Depending on your diet, your physician or lactation consultant may recommend that you keep taking your prenatal vitamins as long as you breastfeed your baby. The exhaustion that comes from giving birth, especially if you had significant blood loss during delivery, can leave you feeling not just tired, but weak.
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A supplement that contains just folic acid During pregnancy, take a prenatal vitamin each day that has 600 mcg of folic acid in it. Folic acid only works to prevent NTDs before and during the first few weeks of pregnancy. Later in pregnancy, you need 600 mcg of folic acid each day to help your baby grow and develop.
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“We found no evidence to recommend that all pregnant women should take prenatal multi-nutrient supplements beyond the nationally advised folic acid and vitamin D supplements." The researchers reviewed data from dozens of previous studies examining the effects of taking multivitamin supplements in pregnant women.
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Whether or not you're pregnant, you should talk to your doctor before adding any prenatals or other supplements to your health routine. If there's any chance you could get pregnant soon, yes, experts do suggest taking some form of folic acid.
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During pregnancy, take a prenatal vitamin that has 600 micrograms of folic acid in it every day. Take a vitamin supplement with folic acid every day, even if you're not trying to get pregnant.