Pregnancy Need to Knows - Pre-Natal Vitamins

To most people, pregnancy is one of the happiest things that could happen in a lifetime. Although not everyone has a child, a lot of parents agree that nothing can be as thrilling and as fulfilling as finding out that you are about to bring a baby into the world. Of course, that being said, a lot of couples really only end up feeling that sense of true responsibility when they are about to become parents. Although pregnancy is a marvelous thing, there is no denying that it is a lot of work for the mother of the child as well as the father. Among the responsibilities of being pregnant is the responsibility of taking care of your child and this responsibility doesn't begin from birth but rather the moment that the child is conceived.

Once you are pregnant there are plenty of things that you should be looking into. You have to look into exercises, food, medical care for delivery and a host of other things. One thing that is especially important before birth is the type of pre-natal vitamins that you take. Pre-natal vitamins provide nourishment for both you and your baby and are essential in ensuring that both of you get the nutrients that you need.

Essential Vitamins for Pregnant Women
Although there are plenty of vitamins available over the counter there are some which are regarded to be the building blocks. These vitamins are the most essential and most recommended. Here is a list of them:

• Folic acid - Folic acid is great for the baby that you are carrying. It is a nutrient that plays a major role in helping your baby's spin develop. There is a particular condition called spina bifida which is essentially a gap in the spinal cord. Folic acid helps to reduce the likelihood that your child will end up with this condition. Although you can take pills, there are also some foods which are high in folic acid. If you find it difficult to drink pills then try leafy veggies or citrus fruits.

• Iron - Although iron is great when you are pregnant, it is also an important vitamin for everyday life. Iron acts as a binder for oxygen which is why hemoglobin in the blood contains iron.

• Calcium - Calcium is something that is essential for the proper functioning of the body. It is a vitamin that helps the neurons in the body function properly and at the same time is essential for bone growth and development. This is especially important in pregnancy because as a baby grows in its mother's womb it absorbs the calcium from its mother. Taking vitamins can help the baby while at the same time helping the mother maintain a healthy calcium level for her own bone density.

Vitamins provide nutrients and a means for you as a mother to take care of your child while you are preparing for birth. It is important for you to make sure that you talk to your doctor about the vitamins that you need to take and at the same time ensure that you are taking the recommended dosage. With the right vitamins you lessen the risk of birth defects and problems later on in your child's life.