| Healthy Baby and Pregnancy Vitamins | | | | with an open spine. |
| Prenatal natural vitamins are expressly for women | | | | There is something you can do to inhibit this birth |
| who are pregnant or nursing their children. Many | | | | defect. You can take the recommended dosages of |
| doctors recommend that pregnancy nutrients be | | | | folic acid prior to and throughout your having a baby. |
| taken prior to conception and even following the | | | | Since this neural tube defect occurs very early in |
| baby is born for general health of mother and child. It | | | | being pregnant, within the first 28 days, all women |
| is very crucial to both the health of the baby and the | | | | should take 400 mcg of folic acid as a matter of |
| health of the mother that she take vitamins just in | | | | course. Folic acid has been shown to thwart neural |
| case her diet does not provide enough of the | | | | tube defects in various studies. |
| nutrients she and her baby need. The nutrients folic | | | | Calcium Prevents Against Bone Loss |
| acid, calcium and iron are especially important. | | | | Growing a new body is a very complex task that |
| Folic Acid Is An Important Nutrient | | | | draws on the mother's body. Taking a calcium |
| Folic acid is a B vitamin. Hans R. Larsen, MSc ChE, | | | | supplement is indispensable to preclude bone loss in |
| cites research showing that 88% of all Americans are | | | | the mother. A lack of calcium sets a mother up for a |
| lacking in folic acid. The Mayo Clinic strongly | | | | greater risk of osteoporosis and a variety of other |
| recommends women of childbearing age who are | | | | health problems. The suggested dose of calcium for |
| planning to become pregnant take 800 micrograms | | | | anybody between the ages of 19 and 51 is 1000 mg |
| of folic acid or folate every day. Following conception, | | | | every day, this includes pregnant women. |
| this level should be increase to as much as 1000 mcg | | | | After age 51, the suggested dose of calcium per day |
| per day. Happily, a diet that is high in leafy green | | | | is 1200 mg. Keep in mind that pregnancy supplements |
| vegetables delivers much of the folic acid needed for | | | | are only meant to complement the diet, not supply |
| good fetal health. | | | | the entire amount of calcium necessary. Most |
| Why is folic acid so important? Folic acid is needed as | | | | pregnancy vitamins provide only 200-300 mg. So, to |
| low levels have been linked to developmental | | | | meet all of your calcium needs and the needs of |
| problems such as Spina Bifida. Babies born with Spina | | | | your baby, it is crucial to eat calcium-rich foods and |
| Bifida are born with open spines and exposed nerves. | | | | not rely solely on your prenatal vitamin for you |
| In other words, the spine and nerves are discernible | | | | calcium needs. |
| and outside of the body because of this defect. | | | | Iron Prevents Low Birth Weight |
| Nerves become damaged and the child can have | | | | Iron is important to red blood cell formation. Red |
| variable degrees of paralysis and other consequences | | | | blood cells carry oxygen to the entire body. Without |
| from being born with an open spine. | | | | enough iron and red blood cells, you will experience |
| Although actual primary research is scarce, folic acid | | | | fatigue and a host of other symptoms. A full 50% of |
| has been shown to significantly reduce the probability | | | | all pregnant women do not get enough iron. Women |
| of this devastating birth defect. These defects | | | | who do not get enough iron have been shown to go |
| develop very early in pregnancy, usually by the 28th | | | | into labor too early and have low birth weight |
| day following conception; this is a time when | | | | children. Pregnant women should get 27 mg of iron |
| numerous women do not know they are pregnant. | | | | each day. |
| This is why it is so critical for women to be sure that | | | | Mother Nature controls most of a baby's growth |
| they are getting the folic acid they need prior to | | | | prior to birth. But, there are things you can influence |
| having a baby. | | | | and defects you can stop by taking the |
| The Importance Of Calcium | | | | recommended amounts of prental supplements. Be |
| Calcium is another important mineral during having a | | | | sure you do everything you can to give your baby a |
| baby. As the baby grows, he or she is using various | | | | good start in life. Take your natural vitamins. |
| of the calcium in the mother's body to grow. Without | | | | You Can avert Birth Defects By Taking Parental |
| enough calcium, the mother's bones can be at risk for | | | | Nutritional vitamins |
| developing osteoporosis. Every adult men and woman | | | | Women who are planning to become pregnant or |
| who is 19-50 years old, including pregnant women, | | | | who are currently pregnant should take pregnancy |
| need 1000 mg of calcium each day. | | | | nutritional vitamin supplements to correct any |
| Beginning at age 51, the calcium requirement | | | | deficiencies in their diets. While pregnancy |
| increases to 1200 mg per day. This is the | | | | supplements will not supply all of the natural vitamins |
| recommended dosage for all people. Prenatal | | | | and minerals a woman needs, they will aid shortfalls in |
| nutritional vitamins are meant to be used as a aid, | | | | the woman's diet. Taking prental nutritional vitamins |
| not to fulfill all of the nutritional requirements a person | | | | will ensure that the baby is healthful at birth and that |
| has. As such, the calcium level of most pregnancy | | | | the mother remains vigorous throughout her being |
| nutrients is only about 200-300 mg. Another source | | | | pregnant. Three natural vitamins and minerals that are |
| of calcium is necessary to meet the suggested | | | | absolutely indispensable during being pregnant are folic |
| number of milligrams per day. | | | | acid, calcium and iron. Being lacking in any of these |
| The Importance Of Iron | | | | can create major health problems for the baby and |
| The recommended iron intake for non-pregnant | | | | the mother, as well as create complications in the |
| women ages 19-50 is just 18 mg per day. When | | | | being pregnant itself. |
| pregnant, a woman's iron needs increase to 27 mg | | | | Folic Acid: A Required B Vitamin |
| per day. Iron supplements will help thwart anemia and | | | | Research revealed that an astounding 88% of all |
| make sure that the mother's and baby's blood have | | | | Americans do not get enough folic acid. According to |
| enough red blood cells to carry oxygen efficiently. | | | | the Mayo Clinic, all women planning a prenatal need |
| Half of all pregnant women are deficient in iron. Iron | | | | 800 micrograms of folic acid each day. Upon |
| deficiency has been shown to increase the risk of | | | | conception the folic acid requirements increase to |
| premature labor and low birth weight. Premature labor | | | | 1000 mcg a day. |
| and low birth weight come with their own sets of | | | | Neural tube defects are one of the most preventable |
| health problems. | | | | birth defects. Folic acid can put a stop to neural tube |
| Prenatal is a time when countless things are out of | | | | defects like Spina Bifida. When a baby is born with |
| your control. Will your baby have all of his or her | | | | Spina Bifida, his or her spine is open and outside of |
| fingers and toes? Will he or she have a birth defect? | | | | the body, not closed and protected. Nerves are |
| Will you miscarry? All of these things are potential | | | | exposed and usually experience a number of kind of |
| problems that you can do nothing about. One of the | | | | damage, which results in paralysis, cerebral palsy and |
| things you can control is whether or not you take in | | | | other health issues that will last a lifetime. |
| enough of the essential vitamins and minerals, | | | | Neural tube defects occur by the 28th day of |
| particularly folic acid, calcium and iron. Give your baby | | | | pregnancy. This is well prior to most women even |
| the best possible start in life. Make sure you are | | | | realize that they are expectant a baby. Research has |
| taking good quality prental supplements throughout | | | | shown that folic acid can stop neural tube defects. |
| your pregnancy and while you are nursing. | | | | Every woman should take 400 mcg of folic acid or |
| Take Your Parental Nutrients And Give Your Baby A | | | | folate per day to make sure their folic acid needs are |
| Great Start In Life | | | | met. |
| Obstetricians and midwives all recommend that | | | | Calcium: A Required Mineral |
| pregnant women take prental supplements to | | | | All men and women, including pregnant women, who |
| complement their diets. A few doctors and midwives | | | | are between 19 and 50 years old need 1000 mg of |
| tell women to begin pregnancy supplements three | | | | calcium per day. The baby uses the mother's stores |
| months prior to conceiving. Making sure that the | | | | of calcium and the calcium that the mother eats. If |
| mother and baby get enough natural vitamins is | | | | the mother is not receiving enough calcium to meet |
| critical. Folic acid, calcium and iron are three of the | | | | her own needs and the needs of the baby, she could |
| most vital during pregnancy. | | | | develop health problems, such as bone loss and |
| Folic Acid Protects Against Neural Tube Defects | | | | osteoporosis. |
| According to Hans R. Larsen, MSc, ChE, about 88% | | | | Starting at 51 years old, calcium requirements for all |
| of all Americans do not get enough folic acid in their | | | | adults increase to 1200 mg per day. Most prenatal |
| diets. This means that there is a good chance you | | | | nutritional vitamin supplements contain only 200-300 |
| are not getting enough. Folic acid is one of the B | | | | mg of calcium. Therefore, they cannot be relied upon |
| nutritional vitamin supplements. Women of childbearing | | | | to supply an entire day's calcium requirements. |
| age who are planning a pregnancy should take 800 | | | | Iron: Required For Red Blood Cell Formation |
| micrograms (mcg) of folate or folic acid every day. | | | | A full half of all pregnant women are deficient in iron, |
| Once pregnant, this amount should be increased to | | | | or anemic. Without iron, the body cannot make the |
| 1000 mcg every day. Ideally, most folic acid should | | | | necessary number of red blood cells to carry oxygen |
| come from foods, including green leafy vegetables, | | | | throughout the body. This results in fatigue and other |
| nuts, beans and citrus fruits. | | | | symptoms, as well as low birth weight and premature |
| What is the big deal about getting enough folic acid? | | | | labor amongst pregnant women. Iron needs increase |
| A deficiency in folic acid can cause a neural tube birth | | | | from 18 mg a day for females who are not pregnant |
| defect, the most common of which is Spina Bifida. In | | | | to 27 mg a day for pregnant females. |
| a neural tube defect, the baby's spine and nerves are | | | | Although thrilling, having a baby can be very taxing. |
| not safely inside of the body. Rather, the baby is | | | | Many women experience concern over the health of |
| born with an open spine and nerves. That is to say, | | | | their baby. And, though much of the growth is out of |
| the spine and nerves are outside of the body, | | | | the moms control, there are a number of things that |
| observable to the eye. In this unprotected state, | | | | the mother can do to give the baby the best |
| nerves are damaged. Even though surgery can | | | | opportunity for health possible. By avoiding alcohol |
| correct this defect, the damage is done to the | | | | and smoking, eating healthy and taking a prenatal |
| nerves and the child will have varying degrees of | | | | vitamin, the mother can do a lot for her developing |
| paralysis and other consequences from being born | | | | baby. |