PregnancyNewbornInfantToddlerPreschoolerSchool AgeHealth & Medical
August 29, 2008 SEARCH drSpock 
Ask Our ExpertsMessage BoardsToolsConsumer AlertsTelevisionBooksA-Z Topics
DrSpock.com

HOT TOPICS
*Pregnancy Symptoms
*Read with Your Kids -- It's Fun!
*Take Our Quizzes
*Play with Your Baby
TOPICS
health-
Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
Birth Defects
Breathing and Respiratory
Colds and Flu
Colic
Constipation
Crying
Dental Care
Diapering Baby
Diphtheria
Ear Infections
Ear Problems: Miscellaneous
Eyes
Fever: Overview
Fever: Treatment
Fifth Disease and Parvovirus B19
GI Problems: Miscellaneous
Genital Issues
Getting Good Care
Health Promotion
Immunization Myths
Immunizations: General
Immunizations: The Shot Visit
Infections of Childhood
Insects: Bites and Stings
Medicines
Menstruation
Mononucleosis
Mouth and Throat Problems
Newborn Care
Newborns: Problems
Nose and Sinus Problems
Pneumonia
Rashes and Skin Care
Safety
Seizures
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Sickle Cell Disease
Strep Infections
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Urinary Tract Problems
Vomiting and Spitting Up
-----------
feeding+
-----------
behavior+
-----------
families+
-----------


Parents are talking about their children.
Join the discussion.



Prescription Prenatal Vitamins

by Elisa Ross, MD
reviewed by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D.
Prenatal vitamins come in many formulations, but most have a few things in common. Prescription prenatal vitamins have more folic acid, iron, and calcium than the usual daily vitamin supplement. The exact ingredients are listed on the packages.

Prescription prenatal vitamins usually have 1 mg (or 1,000 ug) of folic acid in them. The extra dosage is not needed for protection of a fetus' spinal column, but is thought to help the baby make DNA building blocks and allow the mother to produce new red blood cells faster. Therefore, while it is not necessary to take prescription prenatal vitamins before pregnancy, it's not harmful, either. Over-the-counter multivitamins or folate supplements are also fine.

The reason a prescription is needed for these prenatal vitamins is that the extra folic acid could possibly mask anemia caused by a rare disease that leads to deficiency of vitamin B12. If you have a family history of pernicious anemia, it is probably best to avoid more than .4 mg of supplemental folate until you are checked for anemia, a regular part of the blood tests you'll receive early in your pregnancy.

Different kinds of prescription prenatal vitamins
Different brands vary their product slightly to appeal to certain groups of mothers-to-be. Formulations are constantly changing, so ask your practitioner or pharmacist for up-to-date information. Here are some recent examples:
  • Prenate Advance contains a stool softener.

  • Obegyn is a powder to be mixed with water or juice.

  • NataChew is chewable. It has no calcium.

  • Nestabs FA is small, odorless, and has no aftertaste.

  • Natafort is small, doesn't contain calcium, and is kosher certified.

  • Chromagen OB is a gelatin capsule (but fairly large).

 RELATED INFORMATION
*  Healthy Eating during Pregnancy
*  Medications in Pregnancy


Created August 01, 2001
Reviewed August 09, 2001
OUR ADVERTISERS



OUR ADVERTISERS

About Us | Contact Us | Our Partners
Privacy Policy | Ethics | Advertising Policy | Terms of Service

© Copyright 2004 The Dr. Spock Company. All Rights Reserved.

THIS SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. The information drSpock.com provides is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your health care professional if you have a specific health concern. Mention or advertisement of any product, service, or brand does not constitute endorsement, guarantee, or recommendation by The Dr. Spock Company. Please read our full Terms of Service.