Enter any keyword(s) to search our Blogs.

11/6/19 11/6/19

Can Prenatal Vitamins Cause Weight Gain?

Moms want to feel health and vibrant during pregnancy. Taking a prenatal vitamin is part of taking care of you and the baby, but with so many options, how do you know what vitamin is best for you? How do you know if the prenatal vitamin might cause unexpected weigh gain? To learn all the details on this important topic, read this informative blog.

I work with mothers every day and often we dive into other topics besides sleep. In fact, once we get their child sleeping through the night, it opens the door for moms to actually consider having another baby since they finally feel well-rested and there is harmony in their household. Thus, our conversations turn to all things pregnancy and how to prepare and make the next pregnancy healthy and vibrant. I have a relationship with a great blog called Moms Love Best and Caitlin Goodwin MSN, RN, CNM, who is a Certified Nurse-Midwife, clinical instructor and educator, had some amazing information to share on prenatal vitamins and weight gain. https://momlovesbest.com/pregnancy/maternity-health/prenatal-vitamin-weight-gain

Are you currently expecting and worried you’re gaining too much weight too quickly? Do you wonder if your prenatal vitamins could be contributing to your weight gain?

It’s never too early to start taking care of your baby, and a prenatal vitamin will get you both off to a healthy start. But are there any risks associated with prenatal vitamins? Could they possibly cause weight gain or any other side effects?

We will discuss why it’s important to take a prenatal vitamin and when you should start taking one. We’ll also consider whether they cause weight gain, and what to do if you’re experiencing sudden weight gain or other possible side effects from your prenatal vitamins.

Table of Contents

Why Take A Prenatal Vitamin?

Proper nutrition is important for you and your baby’s health. Your baby depends on you for all of their nutrition needs, and it’s likely your diet could be lacking in vitamins and minerals needed to support a healthy pregnancy.

Taking a prenatal vitamin will fill those nutritional gaps essential for healthy fetal development. It’s even more important to take a prenatal vitamin if you have any dietary restrictions, health issues, or pregnancy complications (1).

Other benefits of prenatal vitamins include:

Reduced nausea: Vitamin B6 has been shown to reduce nausea associated with morning sickness. Women who use prenatal vitamins before conception tend to have less nausea in the first trimester than those who don’t.
Fertility boost: Research proves that taking a prenatal vitamin boosts your chances of conceiving a healthy baby faster.
Reduced risk of congenital disabilities: The biggest reason to take a prenatal vitamin is to ensure you get enough folic acid. Folic acid drastically reduces the risk of neural tube defects in your growing baby (2).

While it’s true that supplementing with Vitamin B6 reduces nausea, prenatal vitamins do not have the same effect. Many women experience nausea after taking their vitamin due to the iron (3).
Some mothers cut down on nausea by splitting their vitamin in half and taking it twice a day. Others prefer to take the vitamin after dinner.
If you are absolutely unable to take typical prenatal vitamins, consider a gummy prenatal vitamin until your nausea subsides.
However, switch to a conventional prenatal vitamin after the first trimester because gummy vitamins don’t have the iron your body and baby need.

Can’t I Just Take A Multivitamin?

Prenatal vitamins are specifically formulated to meet you and your growing baby’s nutritional needs, whereas a multivitamin will only meet the needs of your body.

Pregnancy increases your daily intake requirement for vitamins and minerals to support proper fetal development. Prenatal vitamins typically provide higher doses of folic acid (folate or folate supplements) which help prevent neural tube defects. They also supply iron which prevents anemia and supports baby’s development, and calcium to support bone development.

Most prenatal vitamins also contain DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) to support the development of the baby’s brain, eyes, and nervous system.

When Should I Start Taking Them?

Healthcare professionals recommend starting a prenatal vitamin three months before you conceive to prepare your body to grow a baby. However, we all know pregnancies aren’t always planned. So if you were just surprised with a positive pregnancy test, start taking a prenatal vitamin right away.

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. And since vitamins contain zero calories, the weight gain is likely just due to the pregnancy itself.

The Iron in prenatal vitamins can cause constipation and bloating, making your clothes feel tighter. But no one can definitively proclaim them as causing you to gain weight.

When experiencing constipation and bloating, I recommend that moms increase fiber and fluids, but if that’s not enough they can take docusate sodium.

But Why The Sudden Weight Gain?

If you experience sudden weight gain at any point throughout your pregnancy, visit your doctor as soon as possible. If combined with a severe persistent headache, visual changes, or right upper abdominal pain, this could be a sign of preeclampsia (4).

Preeclampsia is nothing to mess with. It can have severe effects for both you and your baby, such as low birth weight, miscarriage, stillbirth, seizures, and even maternal death.

Other Side Effects Of Prenatal Vitamins

There is no way to tell if prenatal vitamins can make you gain weight, but they can cause other minor side effects for some women, such as:

Nausea and vomiting.
Constipation or diarrhea.
Dark stools.
Metallic taste.
Sleeplessness.
Loss of appetite.
Bright yellow or green coloration in urine.

However, most of these side effects are symptoms common with pregnancy, so it can be difficult to determine if it is truly the prenatal vitamin causing them. Talk with your healthcare provider about any side effects you may have from taking prenatal vitamins (5).

To Sum it Up

Taking a prenatal vitamin will support you and your baby’s health. They’ve even been shown to boost fertility, increase iron levels, and reduce the chances of birth defects. By taking a prenatal vitamin three months before planning to conceive, you will receive enough folic acid, calcium, and iron to support a growing baby.

Although prenatal vitamins can cause constipation, bloating, and other minor side effects for some women, there is no proof they can cause weight gain. Because they contain zero calories, your weight gain is most likely just from the pregnancy itself.

Take Note

If you are experiencing sudden weight, contact your physician as soon as possible, as this can be a sign of serious pregnancy complications.

Did you experience any side effects while taking prenatal vitamins or experience any abnormal weight gain during pregnancy? Share your experiences with us in the comments and be sure to share this post with your expecting mama friends.

To see the original post by Caitlin Goodwin, MSN, RN, CNM go to https://momlovesbest.com/pregnancy/maternity-health/prenatal-vitamin-weight-gain

Caitlin Goodwin MSN, RN, CNM is a Certified Nurse-Midwife, clinical instructor and educator. She has ten years of nursing experience and enjoys blogging about family travel and autism in her free time.

GOT KIDS? NEED SLEEP?

Solve your child’s sleep struggles once and for all — so everyone finally sleeps again.

I help sleep-deprived families get where they need to be: well-rested.

There Is No Need To "Cry-It-Out"

I Offer Guilt-Free, Gentle Sleep Coaching

Easy and calm bedtimes, quiet, peaceful nights, reliable naps and confident parenting are yours.

With proven, evidence-based methods, an expert, signature process, and full-service support,

I help you tenderly teach the “skills of sleep” to your child.

I’ve Helped Over 800 Families Sleep Through The Night.

That’s More Than 2,400 Family Members Now Sleeping Better.

Let Me Help Your Whole Family Sleep Better, Too.

Click HERE to schedule a live 45 minute Sleep Strategy Session where you can gain expert insights into how to tackle the sleep struggles once and for all!

9/6/19 9/6/19

3 Simple Ways New Parents Can Save on Pregnancy and Baby Needs

Did you know that pregnancy can cost anywhere from $9,000 - $250,000, depending on whether the mother has health insurance?

But that amount doesn’t even take into account other pregnancy necessities, such as maternity clothes, pregnancy books, prenatal vitamins, morning sickness meds, body pillows, noise machines, stretch mark prevention cream, and more--that are essential for getting through any pregnancy comfortably (or as comfortably as possible!)

Emily Graham of MightyMoms.Net has some advice on budget-friendly pregnancy preparation. My hope is that these tips and resources provided will help alleviate at least some of the money worries new moms face.

Do you have a new baby on the way soon? If so, you may feel overwhelmed by the pressure to prep for the months ahead. That pressure can be even more intense when you are prepping for a new baby on a tight budget, but it doesn’t have to be when you use these simple savings tips.

Stock Up on Baby Supplies Without Spending a Cent

If you’re like most expectant moms, you’ve likely got a lot of items on left to buy on your shopping list. Little things, like nursing bras and bottles, can really add up, but you want to at least make sure you have a few items that will make life as a new mom easier. One such thing is a nursing bra made for hands-free pumping from a company such as Kindred Bravely. Stocking up on a couple of these can be a lifesaver for busy new moms, especially when they are back at work and still need to pump. You may need to cover the costs of your nursing bras, or you could luck out and have your insurance help out with this expense. One thing that’s for sure is that a breast pump must be covered by your health insurance, per insurance laws. Being able to cross this must-have maternity item off your budget can be so helpful. You can put the savings toward more nursing bras or other items on your nesting checklist. Want even more free baby gear? Look online for new mom freebies that can cut down your new baby budget even more.

Check Out Online Coupons to Trim Your Pregnancy Prep Costs

As a new parent on a budget, online coupons and promo codes are a simple way to save. Many corporations, like Procter and Gamble, offer coupons on their website, but you can also browse dedicated coupon and discount sites. You should be able to find plenty of coupons and promo codes to help out with pregnancy and baby costs, but you should also make the most of your effort to find those great deals. Most grocery stores and retailers allow customers to stack coupons on eligible products, and you could end up paying little to nothing for the items in your shopping cart. Of course, the big savings do not have to stop with stacking. Once you checkout, be sure to save your receipts, and remember to use a rebate app to put even more money back into your budget. You can save up for cash back or choose from gift cards to help you snag more baby and pregnancy products for less cost.

Talk to Friends and Family Members About Throwing a Baby Shower

If you have a network of friends and family nearby, chances are they have offered to help during your pregnancy. So, take them up on that offer and ask them to help organize a baby shower. You can even provide your host or hostess with some budget baby shower tips, so you can have a baby shower without feeling guilty about the costs. Help your friends out by providing some inexpensive parting gifts for attendees (hint: you likely already have a few around your home) or see if someone has some leftover decor that can be used for your shower. You can help your hosts and guests out even more by registering for budget-friendly gifts. Be sure to include some pregnancy and baby basics on your registry, but look for easy ways to save on those essentials, such as opting for previous models or sale items. Once the shower is over, also be sure to thank your friends and family for their generosity by sending timely thank yous. Most people are happy to help you welcome your new bundle of joy with a few shower gifts, and it’s a good way to get the gear you need without going over your own budget.

Being ready for a new baby takes some planning, especially when it comes to sticking to a budget. So, use the tips above to add more savings to your pregnancy prep budget plan, and make sure you, your home, and your bank account are all prepared for the new arrival.

Sleep Matters...For Everyone

Do you want to stay up-to-date on all the incredible information and interviews I have to share?

If so, please join my Facebook and Instagram tribes.