When should I start taking a prenatal vitamin?

I can’t count how many times I have been asked this question. So I thought to myself, why not answer it here!

I first wanted to start by reminding us all that a prenatal vitamin in a supplement. It is not a replacement for a good diet. That means it should come along side a healthy diet rich in nutrients to act as a safety net and top up to your diet intake. We should be seeking to get all those key pregnancy needed nutrients such as folate, choline, and iron from our food primarily and then the prenatal comes in to pick up the slack and increase the amounts where needed. If you are relying solely on your prenatal vitamin to carry you through and not seeking a nutrient dense diet, you may still see yourself suffering with pregnancy anemia, low energy, insomnia, poor immunity, gestational diabetes and constipation.

So when should I start taking a prenatal vitamin? Ideally you want to start on the prenatal at least one month before trying to conceive. I do know many practitioners who recommend that anyone who is sexually active to take a prenatal vitamin as no form of contraceptive is 100% effective. This way, if a surprise baby is created, you can know your little one is getting the vital baby growing nutrients (primarily folate which is needed for neural tube development) they need in the first few weeks to ensure healthy growth.

You may now be wondering, when should I stop taking a prenatal vitamin? After you have given birth it is still a good idea to finish up your bottle of prenatal vitamins as these can provide a good course of vitamins and minerals as you begin to heal postpartum. Then, it is best to work along side a health care practitioner to formulate a new supplement plan that suits your unique postpartum needs.

As always, not one size fits all and you may need supplements in addition to your prenatal. To all my pregnant momma’s I also recommend adding a form of EPA/DHA fatty acids supplementation, something that is not always found in prenatal vitamins but crucial for aiding in healthy fetal development. And most pregnant women will need additional supplementation to help address the root cause of their pregnancy symptoms.

Wondering what your body needs as you grow your little one? Book a FREE discovery call and let’s talk!