The Mom-to-Be’s Ultimate Guide to Prenatal Vitamins
If you’re like me, you spent the better part of your 20s and early 30s thinking that pregnancy would never happen to you.
I was convinced that my body was a ticking time bomb just waiting to explode into a million pieces the second I tried to conceive.
As it turns out, I was wrong.
Once I finally decided that I was ready to start a family, getting pregnant was easier than I ever could have imagined.
But even though getting pregnant may have been easy for me, I still wanted to do everything in my power to ensure that my baby was healthy and happy.
That’s why I made sure to take the best prenatal vitamins for first time moms, like folic acid and DHA.
Here’s a list of the prenatal vitamins that I took (and loved!) during my first pregnancy.
Folic Acid
Folic acid is important for all expectant mothers, but it’s especially crucial for those of us who are over the age of 35.
That’s because folic acid helps to prevent birth defects of the brain and spine, including conditions like spina bifida and anencephaly.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends that all women who are of childbearing age take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day—including women who are not trying to get pregnant.
So if you’re over 35 and hoping to conceive, make sure you’re taking a prenatal vitamin that contains at least 400 micrograms of folic acid.
DHA
DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid that’s found in cold-water fish like salmon, tuna, and herring.
DHA is important for pregnant women because it helps to support fetal brain development.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that all pregnant women take at least 200 milligrams of DHA per day.
If you don’t eat fish, you can also get DHA through supplements or by eating foods that have been fortified with DHA, like eggs or milk.
Iron
During pregnancy, your body needs more iron than usual in order to support the growth of your baby—and First Time moms are no exception!
Iron helps carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body (including your growing baby), which is why iron deficiency can lead to fatigue.
The best way to get enough iron is through food sources like red meat, dark leafy greens, beans, and iron-fortified cereals—but many doctors also recommend taking an iron supplement during pregnancy as well.
Talk to your doctor about whether or not an iron supplement makes sense for you.
Prenatal Vitamins
As I mentioned earlier, I took a prenatal vitamin every day during my first pregnancy.
Prenatal vitamins are important because they help fill any nutritional gaps in your diet—and let’s face it, as busy moms-to-be, we don’t always have the time (or energy) to eat as nutritiously as we should!
Prenatal vitamins also help prevent birth defects (like neural tube defects), so they’re worth taking even if you think you’re eating a well-rounded diet.
Be sure to talk with your doctor about which prenatal vitamin is right for you before making a purchase.
The Best Prenatal Vitamins For First Time Moms
There are so many important nutrients that you need during pregnancy—and as a first time mom, it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to prenatal vitamins.
But don’t worry, mama! I’ve got you covered with this list below of the best prenatal vitamins for first time moms.
From folic acid to DHA and everything in between, these essential nutrients will help ensure a healthy pregnancy for both you and your baby!
#1. Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal Multivitamin
This multivitamin is specifically designed for mommy-to-be’s and contains 23 organic fruits and vegetables that are packed with essential nutrients for a healthy pregnancy. It also contains probiotics and enzymes that help break down food into usable energy sources for your body.
#2. Nature Made Prenatal Multi + DHA
Nature Made offers easy-to-swallow softgels that give you all the necessary nutrients for a healthy pregnancy plus DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid that helps support baby’s brain development. This vitamin provides 100% Daily Values of folic acid, iron, zinc, and vitamins A, C, D3 & E.
#3. New Chapter Perfect Prenatal Vitamins
This multivitamin is made from whole foods and herbs like ginger root extract and lemon balm extract that are tailored specifically to meet the nutritional needs of pregnant women. Plus, they don’t contain any artificial colors or flavors.
#4. Rainbow Light Women’s One Multivitamin
Rainbow Light’s Women’s One Multivitamin contains plant sourced enzymes that make it easier to digest plus herbal blends like ginger root extract as well as antioxidants like Vitamin C & E for extra health benefits. It also doesn’t contain any gluten or dairy products making it perfect for those who have sensitivities to these ingredients.
Conclusion
With so many options available, finding the right prenatal vitamin can be overwhelming – but it doesn’t have to be!
The above list offers some of the best prenatal vitamins on Amazon tailored specifically for first time moms.
So relax knowing that whatever you choose will provide all the essential nutrients needed to keep both you and your baby happy and healthy throughout your pregnancy journey!
If you’re an older mom, you know how important it is to get the right nutrients.
But with everything else you have to think about, it can be tough to keep track of what you need.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of the 3 best prenatal vitamins for older moms.
Just click the button below to check it out. And don’t worry, we’ll only recommend products that are safe for both you and your baby.
So go ahead and take a few minutes for yourself. Your body will thank you.