Do Prenatal Vitamins Have Side Effects?
Your body will drastically change the moment you get pregnant. Aside from taking care of yourself throughout the entire pregnancy, you also have to exert time and effort in making sure that your unborn child is healthy. You’re basically living for two people—yourself and the baby—when you’re pregnant. This is the reason why most expecting mothers take prenatal vitamins.
Prenatal pills can give the right amount of nutrients required during this time. If you’re planning to take the same direction soon, set your expectations by paying attention to the side effects of prenatal vitamins, as well.
Mothers have used prenatal vitamins for decades. This is a medical innovation which guarantees the health of the mother and the unborn child. But contrary to popular belief, prenatal vitamins aren’t the be-all and end-all to a pregnant woman’s condition; in fact, taking this actually comes with several side effects, such as:
1. Nausea
It’s common for pregnant women to feel nauseous during their pregnancy. More often than not, nausea is one of the most common symptoms of pregnancy. However, when you start taking prenatal vitamins, the symptoms can get worse depending on the person. This discomfort might even become severe to the point where you can no longer fulfill your daily responsibilities. Thankfully, there are easy solutions to this problem.
If you want to lessen or avoid nausea, never take your prenatal vitamins on an empty stomach—always do it with your meals. If possible, opt to take your prenatal vitamins at night so you can be asleep once the sensation of nausea kicks in.
2. Excessive Intake Of Nutrients
Everything in this world should be taken in moderation; going overboard can have adverse effects on one’s well-being. The same notion is also applicable when taking prenatal vitamins. When a pregnant woman already follows a high-quality and nutrient-dense diet, taking prenatal vitamins can lead to an excessive intake of nutrients. Once this happens, a woman can experience complications during her pregnancy. This can have long-term consequences to her health, and to the health and development of the unborn child as well.
Make sure that you don’t experience any of these by being cautious about the prenatal vitamins that you intake. Never use prenatal vitamins that are not well-regulated and always choose trusted brands which have undergone third-party testing by well-known laboratories and companies. You should only take prenatal vitamins that are USP-verified and sealed to ensure their quality and benefits. You should also only take the recommended dosage on the bottle.3. Constipation
There are several reasons why women feel constipated during their pregnancy. Usually, this sensation is caused by the increased levels of progesterone (the sex hormone associated with pregnancy and a woman’s menstrual cycle), and the baby’s size. As the baby grows, he or she will crowd other organs in the body, causing a woman to take bathroom breaks more often. In addition to this, constipation can also be attributed to prenatal vitamins because of their iron content, making the digestive tract sluggish.
You can save yourself from constipation by merely taking a prenatal vitamin which has a stool softener. If you’re currently taking one which doesn’t have this component, see your doctor and ask to switch brands. You can also try taking DHA-enriched vitamins in addition to your prenatal pills. DHA vitamins work as a natural stool softener and aid in the baby’s brain development. Make sure you have your doctor’s approval before this, though.
4. Stomach Pains
Because of its high iron content, expect that you’ll experience stomach pains after taking prenatal vitamins. This is normal for some women because the body is still adjusting to the iron you’re receiving. If you don’t regularly take iron supplements before the pregnancy, your body might be in shock because of the sudden iron intake. This sensation is nothing to be worried about, but if the pain becomes too unbearable, talk to your doctor. You should still be able to carry out your daily responsibilities even when you’re taking prenatal vitamins.
5. Change In Urine Color And Odor
As mentioned, a pregnant woman will take more bathroom breaks than usual. This is a normal part of pregnancy. But if you’re taking prenatal vitamins and notice that your urine has a different color or odor, don’t fret. B Vitamins found in prenatal vitamins can be the culprit why this happens. Noticing these changes can be alarming at first, but these are considered harmless.
Ask For Help From The Pros
Pregnancy is a rewarding but challenging time in a woman’s life. A newborn child might strengthen the relationship of a couple, but carrying it for nine months will require a lot from the woman’s body. If you think taking prenatal vitamins can help you get through this situation, ask your doctor for professional advice first.
