All Prenatal Vitamins Are Not Equal

If you are pregnant, it's important to remember that not all prenatal vitamins are equal and that more expensive isn't necessarily better. Prenatal vitamins have changed over the years, causing a lot of confusion for consumers and even a lot of doctors. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Prescription prenatal vitamins are not necessarily better than over the counter prenatal vitamins.

2. There are no national standards for what should be included in a prenatal vitamin, since the FDA does not regulate what goes into vitamin and mineral supplements.

3. Many doctors prescribe prenatal vitamins not because the prescription vitamin is better, but simply because it is cheaper for the patient to pay the insurance co-pay rather than the over-the-counter cost.

All prenatal vitamins contain a greater amount of folic acid (folate), iron, and calcium than regular vitamins. I would choose one of the newer prenatal vitamins that also contains iodine from potassium iodine 200 mg (not from kelp, whose absorption is not reliable) and DHA 200 mg. There are a million brands to select from -- over the counter or by prescription. Check your insurance and see which is cheaper for you.

Why DHA? It's a Brain Booster.
The baby's brain continues to develop and grow rapidly throughout pregnancy. Some recent studies suggest that this growth and development can be boosted by a diet rich in the fatty acid DHA. The richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids are found are in fatty fish. However, many of the fish that are rich in these fatty acids are also high in mercury, which can be harmful to the baby's developing nervous system. Two good choices that are low in mercury yet high in DHA are salmon and anchovies. If you are not a fan of fish, then omega-3 supplements are another way to consume all three essential fatty acids, without the worry of mercury contamination. Some experts are now recommending that women who are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or are breastfeeding take an omega-3 supplement containing 200 micrograms of DHA. Some prenatal vitamins now contain DHA for this reason.