Everybody knows it is important to take prenatal care when you are pregnant. However, only a few women start preparing themselves even before they get pregnant. Taking prenatal care makes your body ready to receive a child, and there are higher chances of having a healthy baby.
While you’re trying for a baby, it is essential to start taking steps to make your body the perfect home for your child. The first step is choosing a South Charleston board-certified OB-GYN doctor who can offer you expert prenatal advice.
Pre-pregnancy checkup
As the name suggests, a pre-pregnancy checkup is a medical checkup of your body that takes place before you get pregnant. These checkups are important because they determine whether your body is ready or healthy enough to keep and nurture a child for nine months.
Moreover, if you have one or more medical conditions, the doctor can warn you about the complications. Therefore, it is vital to go for a complete body checkup before you try for a baby.
Prenatal Vitamins
Prenatal vitamins are supplements taken by women to give their bodies the nutrition they need for a healthy pregnancy. It is medically recommended to start taking them at the time of pregnancy and before you plan for pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins fill the nutritional gaps in your diet.
Even if you are not trying to get pregnant, it may be good to take these supplements every day. This is because most of the pregnancies in the USA happen by accident. Some vitamins are vital for the baby’s early development. Therefore, if you are unaware of your pregnancy, your child still gets the nutrients.
Significance of Prenatal Vitamins
- Folic acid
Taking in folic acid is essential for the early developmental stage of the baby as it forms the neural tube and prevents significant congenital disabilities of the baby’s brain and spinal cord. It is medically suggested that women take 400 mcg of folic acid each day before and during pregnancy.
- Calcium
Calcium makes sure your baby develops strong bones and teeth. It is also beneficial for the heart, nerves, and muscles. Women are suggested to consume 1000 mg of calcium every day through vitamins or dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt, etc.
- Iron
Iron makes hemoglobin in our body which is an essential protein in the RBCs as it contains oxygen. If you’re pregnant or planning to be, taking 27 mg of iron every day is essential.
Besides taking the necessary supplements, the mother must give up smoking, drinking, and other drugs at least a year before she plans to get pregnant. Contact Patel & Patel, M.D., Inc. to discuss whether your body is ready for pregnancy.
