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If you’re trying to get pregnant, it’s wise to think about getting your body healthy and ready. Doing so gives your baby the best start from conception until birth.

Things to think about before getting pregnant include stopping doing things that can harm your baby such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking certain medications.

It also includes eating healthy foods and taking vitamins to boost certain nutrients. Learn why vitamins are helpful before getting pregnant and what vitamins to take when trying to get pregnant.

Vitamins To Take When Trying To Get Pregnant

It’s always best to get your vitamins and other nutrients by eating healthy foods daily. But let’s face it; sometimes, that’s difficult to do.

Think of a multivitamin or prenatal vitamin as insurance. It helps cover any gaps in your diet by adding the extra nutrients you need to stay healthy.

Regular multivitamin-mineral supplements are fine if you’re not pregnant. But doctors suggest special prenatal vitamins if you’re trying to conceive or are already pregnant. Compared to regular vitamins, prenatal vitamins provide more of these crucial nutrients for your baby’s growth:

• Folic acid. This B vitamin helps prevent neural tube defects — a serious defect in a baby’s brain and spinal cord. Prenatal vitamins provide 600-800 mcg of folic acid. If you don’t take a prenatal vitamin, take a daily multivitamin with 400 mcg of folic acid.
• Iron. It’s vital for making healthy red blood cells. While pregnant, your body produces more red blood cells to carry oxygen and nutrients to you and your baby. Prenatal vitamins provide the extra 9 mg of iron needed while pregnant.
• Calcium. Both baby and mom need this mineral for healthy bones and teeth. Your bones might suffer later if you don’t get enough calcium while pregnant. Prenatal vitamins provide extra calcium, but you should still eat a calcium-rich diet.
• Iodine. This mineral helps make thyroid hormones. It’s also necessary for your baby’s brain and nervous system, so you need more when pregnant. Most prenatal vitamins provide the required 220 mcg.
• DHA. This omega-3 fat is the same one found in fatty fish. It plays a vital role in normal brain and eye development. DHA is in some, but not all, prenatal vitamins.

Most prenatal vitamins provide the daily suggested amounts for these and other nutrients while pregnant. But not all formulas are the same. Ask your doctor if there’s a brand they suggest.

When to Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins

Women’s health experts suggest starting prenatal vitamins at least three months before getting pregnant. Since you can’t predict when you’ll conceive, take a daily prenatal vitamin once you start trying for a baby. You can keep taking it while pregnant and breastfeeding.

Starting a prenatal vitamin before you conceive has many benefits. Mainly, it boosts your nutrient levels and prevents deficiencies. That helps keep all parts of your body (including your reproductive organs) healthy and working well.

Some research suggests taking a prenatal vitamin may boost your chances of getting pregnant or reduce the time to get pregnant. It may help prevent a miscarriage and raise your chances of a healthy mom and baby.

Your body undergoes significant changes during the first few weeks of pregnancy — before most people even know they’re pregnant. That’s when a baby’s brain and spinal cord form, and your blood volume rises fast.

If you’re low in certain nutrients before getting pregnant, you run a higher risk of health issues for your baby. Low folic acid levels make your baby more likely to develop a neural tube defect. And you are more likely to develop anemia if your iron levels are already low.

Starting a prenatal vitamin early also helps you get into a daily habit. That means you’re less likely to forget when you do become pregnant.

And there’s one more reason to think about starting a prenatal vitamin before you get pregnant. Starting one early may reduce morning sickness once you get pregnant.

Can Men Take Prenatal Vitamins?

Men can take vitamins before conception. If they’re missing certain nutrients from their diet, taking a supplement can help close those gaps. That may help support overall health and sperm quality.

But men have different nutrient needs than women. A prenatal vitamin isn’t going to hurt them, but they don’t need anywhere as much iron or folic acid. And men don’t require higher amounts of other nutrients because they don’t have to support a growing baby.

So it’s best not to share prenatal vitamins. Instead, men should choose a general vitamin and mineral supplement designed for their sex and age group. And just as with women, it’s always best to start with a healthy diet and use vitamins as a supplement.

How to Get Prenatal Vitamins

If you and your partner are thinking about getting pregnant, think about a preconception visit with your doctor. They can check you out and ensure your body is healthy and ready to be pregnant. A preconception visit is also an excellent time to discuss your health needs before, during, and after being pregnant.

Your health care provider can suggest any changes to your diet or refer you to a dietitian for a prenatal visit. They can also suggest the best prenatal vitamin for you, and they may provide a prescription.

If you don’t have a prescription, don’t worry — you don’t need one. You can easily buy prenatal vitamins over the counter at any drugstore or supermarket. If your insurance covers prescriptions at the pharmacy, it could reduce your out-of-pocket costs.

Prenatal vitamins have many benefits, even if you’re not pregnant. They’re worth taking if you’re thinking about getting pregnant. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about the best vitamin to meet your needs.