Proper nutrition, as we all know, is important to a healthy body. To get yourself into the optimal position when you are trying to conceive it is important to be taking a pre-natal vitamin. This will help insure that your body has an abundance of the proper nutrients to help make your chances for conception as successful as possible.
Taking a proper prenatal vitamin will also help to have a healthy pregnancy and as an added bonus will usually help to reduce the episodes of nausea and vomiting during your first trimester!
What to look for in a prenatal vitamin
The proper mix of essential nutrients in your chosen prenatal vitamin is very important. Below we have listed the most important things to look for when buying your prenatal vitamin.
folic acid – Look for at least 400 mcg of this ingredient. Taking an adequate amount of folic acid during both the time while you are trying to conceive and your prgnancy will help to reduce the chances of your child developing neural-tube defects like spina bifida.
Calcium
If your intake of milk products like yogurt is less than optimal then you should be taking at least 1000mg of calcium daily.
Iron
An important nutrient at all times, make sure that your prenatal vitamin has at least 30 to 40mg in it. You may need more if you are anemic but make sure to ask you doctor.
Other Nutrients
Zinc, Iodine, Magenese and B6 are all beneficial to both your fertility and to the healthy development of your baby. Make sure that the vitamin your choose contains these as well.
Other Considerations
Some will find that certain brands will cause more distress to their stomachs than others. Try to choose vitamins that do not use binders like cornstarch or wheat which can irritate.
Special note for vegetarians. vegansIt is very important to make sure that you are getting adequate nutrients and they may be higher than usual needs. Make sure to ask your doctor.