Prenatal Supplements: Over the Counter and Prescription

Prenatal Supplements: Over the Counter and Prescription

July 10th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Almost all women will be told to take a prenatal supplement every day throughout her pregnancy. This multivitamin contains all of the essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs to support a growing baby. Because it can be difficult to get everything you need through your diet, prenatal supplements can fill in the nutritional gaps and ensure that your body is getting what it requires.

Some doctors will merely remind you to take a prenatal supplement, while others may choose to write you a prescription. What is the difference? There are a few things that differentiate these two supplements, which may sway your decision.

The Cost

Depending on your insurance plan, one or the other of these options may be more cost-effective for you. Over the counter (OTC) supplements are as a general rule less costly, however many health plans will cover prescription supplements, which could bring the cost down to similar or less than the OTC choice. Check with your health plan to determine what your cost would be. If you can’t get your supplements covered, you may be able to use funds from a flexible spending account to pay for them. Check with your HR department or health plan. For many women, OTC supplements may be the more affordable choice, but that should be weighed against the other benefits of a prescription.

The Amounts of Certain Vitamins and Minerals

Prescription supplements, because they are more closely scrutinized by the FDA, can carry larger amounts of such important nutrients as folic acid and iron. This FDA examination may also mean the formulas are safer, although all supplements on the market must be approved by the FDA before hitting the shelves.

The Research

Prescription supplements are created and sold by large drug companies, who have the time and money to put in a great deal of research and improve their formula. Prescription supplements will have the latest approved and tested combinations and amounts of essential vitamins and minerals.

Tolerance of Supplements

Because of the higher amounts of vitamins and minerals, some women may find it difficult to tolerate prescription supplements. They may cause nausea or constipation. This does not happen as often with OTC supplements, as they contain smaller amounts of all of the ingredients. Still, some women have difficulty with OTC choices as well. The key to finding the right supplement for you is to try several options until you find one your body can tolerate. There is no point in continuing to take a supplement that is making you sick, whether prescription or OTC. If you are having trouble with your prescribed supplement, talk to your doctor before making the switch to OTC. There may be another prescription choice that is better for you and your baby.

Choosing an OTC Supplement

If you decide to go with an OTC supplement, choose one that is made by a well known company, and is approved by the FDA. Be wary of supplements that have not been tested or approved by the FDA, as there is no way of knowing whether the ingredients or their amounts are safe. This includes natural or herbal supplements. It’s best to talk to your doctor before taking any supplement during your pregnancy.

There are pros and cons to both over the counter and prescription supplements, so work with your doctor to decide what is right for you and your particular situation. Every woman and every pregnancy is a little different, so what is right for one woman may not be right for another. With a little effort, you can find a supplement that works for you.

Nutrition for Mom and Baby

Nutrition for Mom and Baby

July 8th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

When you find out you are pregnant, it is time to take a good look at your nutrition. Eating foods that provide all of the vitamins and minerals your baby needs is absolutely vital during pregnancy, so you will need to pay close attention to what you are eating.

During pregnancy, your body is undergoing major changes and a great deal of strain. It’s important to keep it functioning at peak performance to support the growing life in your womb as well as keep yourself healthy. The best way to do this is with proper nutrition.

Why You Need Good Nutrition

The baby inside you will draw all of the necessary vitamins and minerals from your body through the placenta. This means that your body’s stores of these important nutrients will quickly become depleted if you are not replacing them every day. There are some vitamins and minerals that the body can not produce nor store, therefore you must provide them through your diet. Your baby will take what is needed without regard for what your body requires to function, so you must be conscientious about good nutrition to be sure you can continue to support your growing baby as well as keep your own body healthy.

Keys to Good Nutrition

The number one key to getting all the nutrients both you and your baby need is to eat a varied diet of foods that are nutrient-rich. Including all kinds of fruits and vegetables, as well as lean proteins and whole grains in your diet will give your body the range of vitamins and minerals required. Eat the proper number of servings from all of the food groups, and choose different options from each throughout the week. Each food can provide a different mix of nutrients, and keeping your diet varied will make sure you are getting the most out of the foods you eat.

Removing unhealthy foods that don’t offer much in the way of nutrition from your diet is vital during pregnancy. To make sure that you and baby are getting everything you need, you should make sure every food you eat has some benefit for your body and your baby. Skip high-calorie, low-nutrition foods such as fast food, sugary foods, sodas and junk food like potato chips and candy. It’s ok to have a treat once in a while, but remember that these foods aren’t doing you or your baby any good.

Don’t forget beverages! What you drink can also help to provide you with good nutrition. Choose low-fat milk, 100% juices, and remember to drink plenty of water as well. Hydration is important for you and your baby too!

Prenatal Vitamins

You should take a prenatal vitamin to fill in any gaps in your diet and ensure you get the right amounts of all of the vitamins and minerals. Make sure your vitamin provides everything you need – discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist before making a purchase. You can get your vitamins both over the counter or with a prescription from your doctor; as long as you make sure they contain everything you need.

If you don’t eat properly, your baby doesn’t eat properly either. Keep in mind that everything that goes into your body goes into baby’s body as well. Since you baby can’t make good choices, you will have to be the one to make them for you both.

Why you Need a Prenatal Supplement?

Why you Need a Prenatal Supplement?

June 29th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Even if you are striving to eat a balanced diet from all four food groups, your vitamin and mineral intake can still fall short. During pregnancy, it is especially vital that you get the needed amounts of all of the necessary nutrients to support your health as well as your baby’s growth. In order to help you meet all of your nutritional needs, your doctor will recommend that you take a prenatal supplement.

What Is A Prenatal Supplement?

Like other multivitamins, prenatal supplements offer a combination of all of the vitamins and minerals you need on a daily basis. Just as some supplements are specifically targeted to other populations such as men, women, seniors or children, a prenatal supplement contains specific levels of vitamins and minerals to meet the needs of a pregnant woman. Prenatal supplements generally contain more of the nutrients pregnant women require to remain healthy and nourish the baby growing within, such as folic acid, calcium, and iron.

Where Should I Get My Supplements?

There are two options for prenatal supplements; over the counter and prescription versions are both available. Talk to your doctor about which option is best for you. Prescription supplements often contain larger doses of important nutrients, but can also cause reactions such as nausea and constipation. Over the counter options can be purchased at a drugstore, grocery store or any other store that offers vitamin and mineral supplements. If the options are confusing, ask the pharmacist for help. If your doctor has prescribed a supplement, do not switch without asking first. There may be a reason in your medical history why that particular supplement was chosen for you.

If you are having a really bad reaction to your current supplement, you should be able to switch to a different option with your doctor’s help. It may take some trial and error to find one that you tolerate well.

Can’t I Just Eat Right?

You can, and you should eat right during your pregnancy! But some of the nutrients your body needs may be difficult to get in the right amounts from your diet. Prenatal supplements aren’t intended to replace a healthy, balanced diet, but to support it by filling in any potential holes in your nutrition. Pregnancy isn’t a good time to take chances on getting the right nutrients. Your baby’s health depends on your heath – so take good care of it and take every precaution to make sure you are getting all the vitamins and minerals you need.

Tips for Taking Prenatal Supplements

Some pregnant women struggle with taking their prenatal vitamins due to nausea. If you are feeling sick, try to take your vitamin at a time of day when you are feeling the least nauseous. You may find that taking them with food helps to ward off the nausea as well. To help your body get used to them, try to take them at the same time every day. Remember that if you aren’t eating well due to nausea, it’s even more important to get nutrition into your body in any way you can. If you do miss a day, there is no need to double up on your supplements. In fact, this might not be a good idea as too much of certain vitamins and minerals can be detrimental to your health.

If you are not yet pregnant but planning to conceive, start taking prenatal vitamins as soon as you start trying. You won’t know you are pregnant until your baby has already been growing for several weeks, so make sure you are already providing a healthy body in which your baby can thrive.

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