It's Important To Take Them Religiously
Contributed by Victoria Clayton
Some docs prescribe prenatal vitamins that end up costing $80 to $100 per month, even with insurance. Yet a great prenatal can be had for a fraction of that cost, says Duffy MacKay, N.D., a naturopathic physician and spokesman for the Council on Responsible Nutrition, a trade group that represents supplement manufacturers and ingredient suppliers. "You can get a less expensive prenatal vitamin at the drugstore and, as long as it has the essential nutrients and you take it regularly, it's terrific," MacKay says.
He recommends looking for a prenatal that doesn't require swallowing a bunch of pills (less opportunity for missed doses) and contains these ingredients:
- Folic acid: 800 to 1,000 micrograms
- Iodine: 150 micrograms
- Iron: 20 to 45 milligrams
- Calcium: 150 to 300 milligrams
- Magnesium: 150 to 300 milligrams
Read more: 10 (surprising!) Prenatal Power Foods >>
Ask your OB or midwife about whether you should take additional calcium as well as vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid supplements. For more information, head over to our Prenatal Vitamins Made Easy page for expert advice and answers to the most frequently asked questions about prenatals from moms-to-be!
Read more: How To Get the Vitamins You Need >>
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