Why are prenatal vitamins important?

  • Prenatal vitamins are vitamins you take while you are trying to get pregnant and then throughout your entire pregnancy.
  • The vitamins have key nutrients that are important for your baby’s growth.
  • Prenatal vitamins have folic acid, which helps keep your baby’s brain and spinal cord healthy.
  • They also have iron, which helps your baby grow and develop normally.
  • Prenatal vitamins do not mean you don’t have to eat healthy. They work best when they are taken with a healthy diet.

Look for these nutrients when buying prenatal vitamins:

  • Folic acid
  • Calcium
  • Iron
  • Vitamin C
  • Zinc
  • Copper
  • Vitamin B-6
  • Vitamin D

Source: cdc.gov