Well, yes and no. The thing is, what I was carrying at that time were my prenatal vitamins. I never took any vitamin pills before I got pregnant. My diet sufficiently provided all the nutrients and minerals I needed. But pregnancy changed all that. After all, my body was carrying and nurturing another body (in my case two bodies since I was carrying twins) and I needed all the help I could get it terms of vitamin supplements. This would ensure that the baby(ies) get all they needed to develop and grow normally without starving mommy in the process.

What Are The Prenatal Vitamins We Need?

According to the recommendations of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, we need higher doses of vitamins and minerals during pregnancy. Most of these we can get in a proper healthy diet while avoiding certain foods, but sometimes we need extra supplementation for others.

Those vitamins that are sufficiently available from our daily diet, thus not routinely recommended for supplementation during pregnancy are:

• Vitamin A, available from green leafy and yellow-orange vegetables

• Vitamin B-1 or thiamine, available from milk and whole grains. Vitamin B-2

• Vitamin B-2 or riboflavin, available from green vegetables, dairy products, eggs and fish.

• Vitamin B-6, available from most vegetables you eat

• Vitamin B-12, available from animal proteins

• Vitamin C or ascorbic acid, available from fruits and vegetables

• Vitamin D or the sunshine vitamin, available from exposure to sun and vitamin-D-fortified milk

• Vitamin E, available from animal fats and proteins

• Vitamin K, available from green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, dairy products, and eggs

• Niacin, available from poultry, fish, and nuts

Some vitamins and minerals are not sufficiently available in our daily diet for many reasons. Thus, in order to ensure the well-being of both mom and baby, supplementation is recommended.

Most Commonly Prescribed Prenatal Vitamin Supplements

• Folic acid/folate is available in vegetables and grains but in small amounts. In the US and many countries, flour is fortified with folate, the synthetic version of folic acid. However, even this fortification is not sufficient for pregnant women, thus folic acid supplement is highly recommended during pregnancy. Folic acid deficiency has been linked to neural tube defects in fetus (e.g. spina bifida) and to maternal megaloblastic anemia. If you are planning to get pregnant, taking folate supplements in advance is advisable. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of folate supplement for pregnant women is 0.6 mg. In women who had a previous child with neural tube defects, the RDA may even be increased up to 10 mg.

• Iron is available in our daily food but the absorption in the gastrointestinal tract is rather inefficient. Iron is essential for the production of hemoglobin that enables our blood to transport oxygen. In a pregnant woman, hemoglobin is very important in supplying blood to the placenta and the fetal tissues. Iron deficiency anemia is a common complaint during pregnancy. Thus, iron supplementation is highly recommended, with an RDA of 30 mg.

• Calcium is essential in the synthesis of bones. It is not surprising that as the baby grows in the uterus, the calcium requirement of the mother also increases. The RDA for calcium in pregnant women is 1200 mg.

I remember that I took my vitamin supplements each separately. However, nowadays, there are certain formulations which put the needed nutrients (and then some) in one multivitamin pill. According emedicine WebMD, the standard prenatal vitamin pill should contain the following:

• Iron – 30 mg

• Zinc – 15 mg

• Calcium – 250 mg

• Vitamin B-6 – 2 mg

• Folate – 0.4 mg

• Vitamin C – 50 mg

• Vitamin D – 5 mcg

The formulations, however, can vary and in some cases and may be customized to a woman’s specific nutritional needs. The following situations, for example, require special supplementation considerations.

When Special Supplementation May Be Needed

• Vegetarian diet – When a woman is vegetarian or vegan, then she would need supplementation of vitamins the she can only get from animal fats and proteins (e.g. Vitamins B12 and E).

• Lactose intolerance – Women who are lactose intolerant and therefore cannot drink milk or eat dairy products may need extra calcium supplementation.

• Cultural and behavioral considerations – In some countries, women may have minimal exposure to the sun, e.g. women in Muslim countries wearing the veil, or those intentionally avoid the sun for aesthetic or medical reasons. In such cases, pregnant women are usually prescribed vitamin D supplements.In developed countries, some women, especially the very young, might have the fear of having the so-called “baby fat” during pregnancy and would therefore try to cut down on their food intake. In these cases, obstetricians as well as family members should watch out for eating disorders to make sure the baby is not starved.

Multiple Pregnancies

Multiple growing babies require more vitamins and minerals than just one. I remember that when I was carrying my twins, my doctor had to increase my supplementation at a certain point. Folate and iron supplements may be increased and Vitamin B-6 supplement may be prescribed.

For more info about prenatal vitamins, check out:

• Prenatal Nutrition from WebMD

• Prenatal Vitamins: American Pregnancy Association

• Nutrition During Pregnancy: ACOG Education Pamphlet AP001 — American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Not only do women experience it, but their partners, other children and family members experience it as well. Your mood swings can affect you and those around you.

Mood swings generally start during the first trimester as a woman’s hormone levels start rising. They can level off during the second trimester, but tend to come back full force during the third trimester, as the impending labor draws near. For first time mothers, the thought of labor and being completely in charge of another human being’s survival and happiness can cause fear and terror.

Some women are on cloud nine throughout their pregnancies, some women cry, and others start to do things like laugh all the time. Angelina Jolie recently admitted that while pregnant, she can’t stop giggling.

While mood swings during pregnancy are completely normal, if you feel like you aren’t acting normal, or there is something peculiar about your mood swings, be sure to talk to your doctor or midwife about it. In a few cases, the mood swings may actually be masking prenatal depression. Most of the time, your doctor can prescribe something to help you feel better, and feel more like yourself.

For some the decision is simple. Women who either have medical problems or have had a previous c-section and know that they are going to have another one, choose to see an obstetrician because only they can perform c-sections. However, for most women, the choice isn’t as obvious, and careful research must be undertaken to determine what choice is best for her and her family.

Midwives
Prior to labor, during office visits, a mother to be might find that a midwives’ office is much more personal, friendly, and quicker than a doctor’s office. The wait isn’t as long, and the midwife is willing to listen and answer all your questions no matter how long it takes. While in labor, either at home or the hospital, a midwife will generally not leave the mothers side until labor is over, remaining with the mother to give constant support.

Midwives are generally believed to be more personable and more willing to listen, and to do exactly what the mother-to-be wants during her pregnancy and birth. Midwives generally support and believe in a more natural, comfortable birth for the mother and baby, as well as using less traditional birthing aids such as birthing balls and water births. A midwife also is knowledgeable about perineal massage to help avoid tears and episiotomies during labor, as well as using oils and teas to help your cervix soften and prepare for labor. Also, if a mother-to-be wants to have a homebirth, a midwife is who she would choose to assist her.

Doctors
Doctors can offer a lot of benefits as well. Often a doctor can come with a lot of recommendations from friends. Also, if you register with a group of doctors you will have more than one option of who to see. Many times you will actually see all the doctors at different appointments so you’ll get to know each one. You will also be able to get several different opinions regarding any problems you might be having in your pregnancy in one place, rather than having to go elsewhere for a second opinion. Another benefit is that if your doctor is ill, or has to deliver a baby, you probably won’t have to reschedule your appointment because there should be another doctor that you could see in the practice that day.

Often, you will find that the doctor’s office is packed and you have to wait for your appointment. When you finally get in to see your obstetrician, he is rushed and doesn’t want to take the time to answer your questions. These are common complaints from women who have a doctor versus a midwife for their prenatal care.

Obstetricians can also support and believe in a more natural method of childbirth, but they can also be quick to recommend pain medication during labor. They might also be quick to recommend a c-section if labor is not progressing as fast as they want. You also often won’t find the doctor at the hospital or in your room until it is time to actually deliver the baby, instead leaving the labor, early pushing and delivery up to a nurse to take care of.

The choice between an obstetrician and a midwife is purely personal for each mother-to-be. It is a decision to be weighed carefully and not taken before first getting all the facts. In the end, the mother-to-be wants to be happy and 100% comfortable with whoever she chooses, because this is the person she is going to be depending upon to bring a new life into the world safely.

1. Smoking – Smoking is not only bad for you, but bad for your baby as well. Smoking during pregnancy reduces the amount of oxygen that the baby receives and increases the risk of miscarriage, bleeding, and morning sickness. Chemicals inhaled while smoking may lead to other health problems with the baby. Reduced birth weight, premature birth, increased risk of SIDS, and stillbirth are other possible consequences. Pregnant women should also avoid second hand smoke.
2. Alcohol - Drinking can cause fetal alcohol syndrome, including symptoms like low birth weight, medical problems, and behavior abnormalities. As soon as you know you are pregnant, stop drinking. For more detailed information on problems that can be caused by alcohol, visit www.nofas.org.
3. Caffeine – There are many conflicting studies about caffeine and pregnancy and some believe that caffeine is not as harmful as it was once thought to be. Nevertheless, the FDA warns against caffeine consumption during pregnancy and suggests quitting or reducing consumption at the very least. Caffeine has been shown to affect fetal heart rates and awake time (fetuses grow when sleeping). Decaffeinated coffee can also be harmful since producers often add additional chemicals to remove the caffeine. Caffeine can also increase risk of stretch marks. Suddenly quitting coffee intake can cause headaches; so most experts recommend gradually reducing the amount consumed.
4. Drugs and Herbal Remedies – Always be careful about drugs or herbal remedies that are not prescribed by a doctor. These substances may affect the development of your unborn child.
5. Nutrition – Good nutrition is crucial to a developing child, particularly getting enough folic acid. Lack of folic acid can cause birth defects. At least 400-1000 micrograms of this B vitamin is suggested (about ten times more if you’ve already had a child with neural tube birth defects) starting one month before pregnant and throughout the entire pregnancy. Leafy vegetables, orange juice, and beans are some natural sources of folic acid. Many stores sell vitamins with folic aci! d.
6. Exercise – Moderate exercise is helpful as it improves the mother’s mental state and can increase oxygen flow to the fetus. However, over-exertion can be dangerous. Most experts recommend reducing your exercise intensity during pregnancy. Activities like walking, swimming, and yoga are popular for pregnant women.
7. Prenatal Care – Regular doctor visits are important to your baby’s development. The body undergoes many changes during pregnancy. Some side effects may be completely normal, whereas other may not. Regular monitoring by a professional will help ensure that your baby will be born healthy.
8. Multiple sex partners – Multiple sex partners can increase risk of STD’s, which in turn may lead to birth and pregnancy complications, like low birth weight or premature birth.
9. Exposure to chemicals – During pregnancy, reduce exposure to unnatural chemicals, particularly pesticides in food. Many people now eat organic produce, which is grown without chemicals. The simplest precaution to take before consuming vegetables or fruits is to wash them thoroughly. Also, removing the outer surface of vegetables can be helpful since most pesticides will rest on the outside of the vegetable or fruit.
10. Other factors – Many other factors can affect fetal development, including heart disease, the mother’s age (before 15 years and after 35 years is riskier), asthma, excessive stress or depression, diseases, and bleeding. ! Consult your physician if you are affected by any of these conditions.

About the Author
Criss White is a professional web writer on baby and new mother topics for baby and pregnancy websites. For more articles on baby showers, check out our Baby Shower Ideas and more baby articles at Baby Lullaby.

The effects of pesticides on the health of a young child are not fully known at this time, but the brain of the developing child is probably at risk. It certainly seems prudent to reduce the amount our children are exposed to. One way is by using organic fruits and veggies.

Organic produce is getting easier to find in regular supermarkets as the demand and production increases. Still, it’s often two or three times as expensive, and the choices are likely to be limited. One way to bring organic into the reach of your budget is to take up organic gardening. Even just a few cherry tomato plants can make a big difference in the overall amount of toxins you ingest.

It might be impossible to buy all organic fruits and vegetables. If you can’t, try to go organic for at least those fruits and veggies that tend to be loaded with pesticides. The top offenders among fruits are peaches, apples, strawberries, nectarines, cherries, pears, and imported grapes.

Among veggies, watch out for bell peppers, celery, spinach, lettuce, and potatoes. The twelve foods just mentioned are called by some the “Dirty Dozen.” Buying these foods as organics can eliminate the bulk of pesticides from your diet. The next most contaminated vegetables after the top dozen are carrots. Since we tend to use carrots frequently, you might want to opt for organic ones, especially if you use them in juicing.

Safest selections among non-organic produce include onions, frozen corn and peas, broccoli, cabbage, kiwis, bananas and pineapple. (Data was determined by the Environmental Working Group, a non-profit agency.)

What about washing produce to remove pesticides? Washing helps to remove substances like bacteria, but don’t trust washing and peeling to get rid of the pesticides. Studies have shown that the residues work their way into the very cells of the fruit or vegetable.

Don’t forget about your non-diet exposure to pesticides. Use simple natural insect repellents in your home. If you have a serious insect infestation, there are bait-type insecticides that are much safer to use than sprays that go everywhere. And just forget about those bombs. They leave residue on everything in your house