Are you TTC or already pregnant and trying to pick out the very best prenatal vitamin to buy? We talked to OBGYN Dr. Gleaton about what ingredients you should be looking for in a prenatal vitamin—and why they’re important.
The list of things to do when you’re trying to conceive or you find out you are pregnant can be daunting. One of the most important things you can do for yourself and your baby is to take a prenatal vitamin, and with so many on the market, we’re here to break down what ingredients you need to be looking for, and why they’re so important.
- Vitamin A is important for the development of bones and teeth.
- The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin A is 770 μg/d
- The tolerable upper intake level (UL) is 3,000 μg/d
- Vitamin C is an antioxidant that aids in maintaining a healthy immune system and protecting the body.
- The RDA for vitamin C is 85 mg/d
- The UL is 2,000 mg/d
- Vitamin D works with calcium to promote strong bones and teeth.
- Vitamin E is helpful for the production of blood cells.
- The RDA for vitamin E is 15 mg/d
- The UL is 1,000 mg/d
- Vitamin B1, also known as thiamin, is important for fetal brain development.
- Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, is essential for ocular health for yourself and your baby. Riboflavin is also great for getting that healthy, glowy skin and development of fetal bones and nerves.
- Vitamin B3, also known as niacin, can help reduce nausea and aid in digestion.
- Vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid, is used for healthy fetal growth and regulation of adrenal glands
- Vitamin B6 is extremely important for fetal brain development as well as preventing low birth weight, maintaining blood glucose, and alleviating morning sickness.
- Vitamin B7, also known as biotin, helps with nails, skin, and hair.
- Vitamin B12 not only helps build red blood cells, but supports growth of the neural tube, fetal brain and spinal cord.
- Folate is also a necessity for development of the neural tube and fetal nervous system. Folic Acid is the synthetic form of folate. Read more on the difference here.
- The RDA for folate is 600 μg/d
- The UL is 1,000 μg/d
- Iron helps build up new red blood cells to carry oxygen around your body.
- Calcium prepares your body to grow new teeth and bones for your baby, and supplementing with calcium ensures your own calcium stores won’t be depleted.
- The RDA for calcium is 1,000 mg/d
- The UL is 2,500 mg/d
- Iodine is important for fetal brain development.
- The RDA for iodine is 220 μg/d
- The UL is 1,100 μg/d
- Magnesium can be helpful in preventing low birth weight and helps regulate and maintain nerve and muscle cells.
- Zinc helps with generating insulin and and enzymes
- Selenium ensures healthy thyroid development and functioning.
- Copper is important for developing and maintaining the fetal circulatory system.
- The RDA for copper is 1,000 μg/d
- The UL is 10,000 μg/d
- Lutein, an antioxidant, helps protect the body against free radicals.
- Manganese aids in the development of fetal bone and cartilage
For more information on what to look for when choosing a prenatal vitamin, read here.
"WHERE DO I START?
Dr. Gleaton and her staff are a phenomenal group of women. Professional, courteous, knowledgeable and all around pleasant . I have never been so comfortable while my feet were in stirrups!
Dr. Gleaton was thorough and showed compassion and concern for my OVERALL health. She went above and beyond her call of duty and I am so excited to be a patient of such a phenomenal team! If I could give 2 more stars I most certainly would because this office deserves it!"
"Excellent service, great rapport/bedside manner, and very knowledgeable. Sadly, this trifecta is a rare find in the medical profession, but Dr. Gleaton exemplifies these qualities with a natural ease. I wish I were staying in the area so that she could continue to be my doctor! Highly recommend."
"I just really loved my first visit with Dr. Gleaton. She was very detailed, personable and made me feel at ease. I went with my instincts and within minutes, I knew I made the right choice."
"Dr. Gleaton is wonderful. She is very energetic and brings a lot of positivity to every appointment. She is also very thorough and answers questions with sincerity."
"Very knowledgeable! She makes you and your family feel like close friends. She is also very caring and considerate. She takes the time to make sure she explains things to you so that you know what is going on in regard to your health. Wish I could put infinity stars!!!"
"When I read the reviews yesterday that she was excellent someone actually said ( like having coffee with a friend) I thought ” no way” that’s way out there..how can anyone say going to a gyn is like having coffee with a friend… but now after seeing Dr Kenosha I have to agree 😀 it was such a great appointment she is excellent at what she does and her bed side manners amazing. God bless you Dr Kenosha"
"I love Dr. Gleaton, she is through, very professional with a wonderful personality and very caring. I am 60 years old and I do not think I have ever experienced a better Dr."
"I have referred a few friends and family members to her. She is one of the best. Not only is she great at what she does, but an overall genuine, compassionate, empathetic, loving human being."
"It was my first time meeting Dr Gleaton, I appreciated her addressing all of my concerns. I travel 2 1/2 hrs well worth it for a Fantastic Doctor oh and let’s not forget her wonderful staff! Not enough starts for my great experience. Thank you all very much."
"Dr. Gleaton took me on as a patient 24 weeks into my pregnancy, which I really appreciated. She and her staff provided excellent care, were very caring, personable, and seemed to keep up-to-date on the research. Dr. Gleaton was also very open-minded and supportive about the unique circumstances of my child’s birth. On a few occasions I saw other providers in her office, and the other providers were great as well, but Dr. Gleaton is definitely my favorite."