Prenatal vitamins are crucial for expectant mothers: they provide the building blocks for a healthy baby, and should be taken starting a few months before you attempt to conceive. If you’ve just started taking prenatal vitamins or are planning to start soon, you might be wondering whether you’ll deal with any pesky side effects.
What are the Common Side Effects of Prenatal Vitamins?
Unfortunately, prenatal vitamins—which contain many of the same ingredients as a multivitamin but in higher doses—can cause unwanted reactions. And because some of these symptoms are similar to those typically experienced in the course of pregnancy, it can be difficult to distinguish the cause: does your stomach feel funny because you’re expecting or because of the vitamins you’re taking?
Here are three common side effects you might experience when taking prenatal vitamins and how to manage them. As always, be sure to consult your physician about how you’re feeling on your prenatal regime.
Constipation
Iron is critical for expectant mothers and their babies. But the high iron content in prenatal vitamins can contribute to constipation.
Simple changes can help ease the constipation brought on by increased iron intake, like drinking plenty of water, eating more fiber, and (to the extent recommended by your doctor) exercising. You may also want to talk to your doctor about a stool softener.
Nausea
Do prenatals make you nauseous? Yes, your prenatal may cause nausea. At least 70% of pregnant women experience morning sickness, which can present as nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss. The smell or taste of fish oil in your prenatal, the act of swallowing the pills, and certain components of the pill all have the potential to trigger an uneasy stomach.
Thankfully, numerous dietary changes can help ease nausea. These include eating a few plain crackers or toast to settle the stomach first thing in the morning; eating more bland foods; staying hydrated; drinking ginger tea; and eating smaller meals throughout the day rather than three large ones. It can also help to avoid lying down after eating.
Changes in skin and hair
Vitamins A and E are essential components of a prenatal supplement; Vitamin A is crucial for fetal development, including vision, and getting enough Vitamin E can help prevent complications like preeclampsia.
But these vitamins can sometimes cause skin and hair changes, including hair loss, skin itchiness and dryness, a skin rash, or easy bruising. Talk to your health care provider about options for relief from uncomfortable symptoms.
Finding a prenatal routine that works for you
Ovaterra’s Advanced Prenatal Vitamins with Choline, developed by leading fertility doctors, come in daily pouches convenient for taking on-the-go, and a monthly subscription ensures you’ll always have enough on hand. Most importantly, they were developed with high-quality ingredients based on the latest science about women’s prenatal needs—including a full daily dose of choline, a nutrient essential for your baby’s developing brain.
