From the Guidelines
It's generally not recommended to take a multivitamin in addition to your prenatal vitamin during pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins are specifically formulated to provide the nutrients pregnant women need, including higher amounts of folic acid (400-800 mcg), iron (27 mg), and other essential vitamins and minerals 1. Taking both supplements could lead to excessive intake of certain nutrients, particularly fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin A, which can be harmful at high doses during pregnancy. Vitamin A toxicity may cause birth defects, and too much iron can cause gastrointestinal issues and potentially interfere with zinc absorption. Some key points to consider:
- A balanced diet resulting in appropriate weight gain generally supplies all the vitamins and minerals needed for pregnancy 1.
- Prenatal vitamin and mineral supplements are often prescribed because of uncertainty of nutritional status and intake 1.
- If you're concerned about nutritional gaps, speak with your healthcare provider who might recommend specific individual supplements rather than a second complete multivitamin.
- Most pregnant women can meet their nutritional needs through a combination of a balanced diet and a single prenatal vitamin.
- If you're experiencing specific symptoms or have dietary restrictions, your doctor can help determine if you need additional supplementation tailored to your individual needs. Key considerations for pregnant women include:
- Folic acid supplementation to prevent neural tube defects 1
- Iron supplementation to support maternal and fetal health 1
- Zinc supplementation for women with low pregravid weight and low plasma zinc levels 1 It's essential to consult with your healthcare provider before taking any supplements during pregnancy to ensure you're getting the necessary nutrients while minimizing potential risks.
From the Research
Taking Multivitamins on Top of Prenatal Vitamins
- It is generally recommended that pregnant women take prenatal vitamins to ensure they are getting all the necessary nutrients for a healthy pregnancy 2, 3.
- However, some women may also consider taking a multivitamin on top of their prenatal vitamin to fill any nutritional gaps.
- According to a study published in the Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada, women should be advised to maintain a healthy folate-rich diet and take folic acid/multivitamin supplementation to achieve the red blood cell folate levels associated with maximal protection against neural tube defects 2.
- Another study published in Maternal health, neonatology and perinatology found that many prenatal supplements vary widely in content and often contain only a subset of essential vitamins, suggesting that increasing prenatal vitamin supplementation to recommended levels may reduce the incidence of many pregnancy complications and infant health problems 3.
Key Considerations
- Women at high risk for neural tube defects or other folic acid-sensitive congenital anomalies may require a higher dose of folic acid, which can be achieved by taking a multivitamin with 1.0 mg folic acid or more 2.
- The American journal of public health study found that 97% of women were advised to take multivitamin-mineral supplements in prenatal care, but only 67% of Black mothers took supplements during pregnancy, compared to 84% of White mothers 4.
- Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy is also important, as low maternal vitamin D status may be associated with a higher risk for pregnancy complications and infant health problems 5.
Healthcare Provider Recommendations
- A study published in Ethnicity & disease found that a provider recommendation highly motivates early postpartum women to consume multivitamins, and this period likely represents an interpregnancy interval and is an opportune time to educate and encourage women to take multivitamins 6.
- Healthcare providers should advise women on the benefits of folic acid in a multivitamin supplementation during medical wellness visits, whether or not a pregnancy is contemplated 2.