What are the side effects of taking prenatal vitamins when not pregnant?

What are the side effects of taking prenatal vitamins when not pregnant?

Taking too much folic acid each day can have the adverse side effect of masking a vitamin B-12 deficiency. Excess iron can be a problem, too. Getting too much iron is associated with health problems like constipation, nausea, and diarrhea.

Can taking prenatal vitamins hurt you?

Most women who take prenatal vitamins as directed by their doctor or midwife experience little or no side effects from prenatal vitamins. The iron in prenatal vitamins may cause constipation, and some women complain of nausea. You also may have diarrhea, dark stools, low appetite, and stomach upset or cramps.

What do prenatal vitamins do to your body?

Prenatal vitamins give you extra amounts of these three key nutrients for pregnant women: Folic acid helps your baby’s brain and spinal cord develop correctly. This nutrient reduces the risk of serious birth defects called spina bifida and anencephaly. Calcium protects your bones as your baby grows.

Do prenatal vitamins change your hormones?

You experience lots of changes in your body when you’re having a baby, so it might be hard to distinguish which are prenatal vitamins side effects and which are pregnancy symptoms. Some prenatal vitamins side effects may, in fact, be similar to what you’d feel as your hormone levels shift.

Do prenatal vitamins make you gain weight if you are not pregnant?

Will They Make Me Gain Weight? There is no evidence that prenatal vitamins make you gain weight. Most pregnant women gain about 25-35 pounds throughout their pregnancy whether they use a prenatal vitamin or not.

How long should you take prenatal vitamins before getting pregnant?

Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects. Ideally, you’ll begin taking extra folic acid at least 3 months before you become pregnant.

Can prenatal vitamins cause weight gain?

The answer is no, there is no evidence that prenatal vitamins make you gain weight. Most pregnant women gain about 25-35 pounds throughout their pregnancy regardless if they take a prenatal vitamin or not. The weight gain is likely due to the pregnancy itself and your growing baby.

When should a woman start taking prenatal vitamins?

When you decide to try to conceive, it’s a good idea to begin taking a daily prenatal vitamin right away. Ideally you should start prenatal vitamins at least one month before pregnancy—and CERTAINLY during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy when baby’s development is at its most critical point.

Do prenatal vitamins make you gain weight?

There is no evidence that prenatal vitamins make you gain weight. Most pregnant women gain about 25-35 pounds throughout their pregnancy whether they use a prenatal vitamin or not. And since vitamins contain zero calories, the weight gain is likely just due to the pregnancy itself.

Can I take prenatal and multivitamin at the same time?

Avoid taking any other multivitamin product within 2 hours before or after you take your prenatal multivitamins. Taking similar vitamin products together at the same time can result in a vitamin overdose or serious side effects.

What are negative effects of not taking prenatal vitamins?

Not taking prenatal vitamins can cause iron deficiency, leading to fetal and maternal anemia. In this condition, the risk of premature labor and low birth-weight drastically increases. This condition can also cause delivery complications that require blood transfusions.

Are there any vitamins I should not take during pregnancy?

While prenatal vitamins are a healthy regimen during pregnancy to ensure that you are getting adequate nutrients for you and your baby, there are certain vitamins that should be avoided during pregnancy. The main vitamin that should be avoided in excess quantities is Vitamin A . In large doses as a supplement, it has been shown to have a potentially negative effect on fetal development. Carrots and vegetables, on the other hand, do not contain vitamin A itself but carotene.

When should I stop taking prenatal vitamins?

Women who are trying to become pregnant should start taking a prenatal vitamin a few months beforehand to prepare the body for pregnancy. If you chose to breastfeed your baby and are ready to start trying for the next one, your doctor may advise you not to stop taking your prenatal vitamin at all.

Is it dangerous to take prenatal vitamins when not pregnant?

You may be tempted to take prenatal vitamins because of unproven claims that they promote thicker hair and stronger nails. However, if you’re not pregnant and not planning to become pregnant, high levels of certain nutrients over a long period of time may actually be more harmful than helpful.