When is the Best Time to Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins?

When it comes to pregnancy, taking prenatal vitamins is essential for the health and development of the fetus. The best time to start taking prenatal vitamins is before conception, at least one month before trying to get pregnant. A multivitamin complex is a combination of different vitamins and minerals that is usually taken in tablet form. Some multivitamins are specially designed for pregnant women (prenatal multivitamins).

However, they are not a substitute for a nutritious diet. It's important to eat healthy even if you're taking prenatal multivitamins. Taking folic acid and other prenatal vitamins can help reduce the risk of some birth defects. Folic acid should be taken at least one month before trying to get pregnant, as the first few weeks of pregnancy are a very important time for the health and development of the fetus. All pregnant women in Australia should take folic acid, iodine and vitamin D supplements.

Women of reproductive age should consider taking prenatal vitamins regularly. When choosing a prenatal vitamin, check for folic acid and iron, as well as calcium and vitamin D. In addition to these, look for a prenatal vitamin that contains vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, B vitamins, zinc and iodine. It's important to remember that with a healthy diet, you should be able to get the full amount of these vitamins and minerals. If you experience any side effects from taking prenatal vitamins, talk to your doctor about changing the brand or type of vitamins you're taking. Pregnant women may need supplements of other nutrients besides folic acid, iodine and vitamin D.

When you're pregnant, you need more of some nutrients such as protein, folic acid, iodine, iron, and some vitamins. Vitamin B12 and vitamin D are particularly important for supporting the development of the baby's nervous system (B1) and skeleton (D).If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you should be careful when taking vitamins or any other type of supplement. You can get vitamin supplements containing vitamin D for free if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and are eligible to participate in the Healthy Start program.