Prenatal Vitamins Group 1: Rojan Eric Sahar Kyle Zahra Stephen Introduction Prenatal Vitamins are a combination of different vitamins and minerals indicated for women before, during and after their pregnancy. Introduction: Why is it necessary to take vitamins prior to conception, during pregnancy, and also postnatal? - - - Before: Reduce the risk of neural tube defects According to the March of Dimes, 3,000 pregnancies each year result in neural tube defects. During: a woman’s daily intake requirements for certain nutrients, such as folic acid (folate), calcium, and iron will increase which they are required for proper fetal growth development, and healthy adult living. After: providing essential vitamins and nutrients to supplement the diet . In addition to that breast milk also helps protect your baby against infection. Prenatal Vitamin (Main Ingredients) ● ● ● There are various types of prenatal Vitamins in the market. As a pharmacist, it's important to make the best recommendation for each patient. The more important ingredients for a prenatal vitamin to have are: ○ Folic Acid ○ Vitamin D ○ Calcium ○ Iron Mechanism of Action -FOLATE: Folate helps the body make DNA, enhances brain function, and plays a role in cell growth. For pregnant women, it can help reduce the risk of birth defects related to the brain and spinal cord. -IRON: Iron keeps your risk for anemia (a common issue in pregnancy) in check and supports baby’s physical growth. Anemia results in inability to make enough hemoglobin to fill its new red blood cells. Principle component of two proteins; hemoglobin in rbcs and myoglobin in muscle cells. -CALCIUM: Calcium is important in cell-signaling pathways. Deficiency in Ca can lead to muscle spasm, rickets, osteomalacia, osteoporosis. Calcium is the most abundant mineral. It is integral part of bone structure. -VITAMIN D: responsible for absorption and utilization of Ca. Needed for building and maintaining bone health. Ca and Vit D are used for developing an infant’s skeleton. Instructions on how to take Prenatal Vitamins 1) Take these vitamins orally once daily or as directed. 2) It is best to take on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals with a full glass of water. 3) In case of GI upset take them with food. 4) Take regularly and at the same time each day. PATIENT COUNSELING POINTS 1. Prenatal vitamins come in different forms like pills, capsules, gummy bears. Its prefered to take vitamin that’s chewy and soft easy on stomach. 2. National institute for clinical excellence (NICE) recommends women to take 400 mcg of folic acid each day, 10mcg vitamin D, 30 mg of iron a day. 3. Also start taking vitamins 3 months before pregnancy until the end of 1st trimester (first 12 weeks) 4. Avoid taking it with Antacid, dairy products, tea, coffee 2 hrs before or after medication because it might reduce the effectiveness. Side effects Folic Acid: Because it is water soluble it is generally considered to be nontoxic. Calcium: Mostly considered non-toxic. High dose may cause lethargy, mental imbalance, weakness, dehydration, Nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and even heart arrhythmia. Iron: Iron unlike the other two above can be fatal in severely high doses. Toxicity symptoms can be upset stomach, stool changes, and constipation. Vitamin D: Elevated Calcium levels causing calcification of tissues and kidney damage. Prenatals: Facts or Myths ● Prenatal vitamins can fix poor nutrition intake ○ FALSE: Although they can help pregnant women reach their daily nutrition requirement the DON’T replace healthy eating habits. ● All prenatal Vitamins are the same ○ FALSE: Most do contain the same vitamins and minerals but some can have extra supplements that a person may need ● A pregnant women must take prenatal vitamins. ○ FALSE: It isn’t necessary to take prenatal vitamins but it is highly recommended. It is also recommended that pregnant women check with their doctor to see what extra supplements the may need. Thank you for listening!!! References 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Chapter 23: Essential and Conditionally Essential Nutrients’; Mary M. Bridgeman and Carol J. Rollins; Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs: An Interactive Approach to Self-Care, 19th Edition. November 2017 Dietary Supplement Ingredient Database. (n.d.). Retrieved March 20, 2019, from https://dietarysupplementdatabase.usda.nih.gov/ Folic acid for the prevention of neural tube defects: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Ann Intern Med. 2009; 150 (9):626-631. Parenthood, P. (n.d.). What Are Prenatal Vitamins? | Which to Take Before Pregnancy. Retrieved March 20, 2019, from https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/pregnancy/pre-pregnancy-health/what-are-prenatalvitamins Pregnancy and Prenatal Care | Gateway to Health Communication | CDC. (2017, September 15). Retrieved March 20, 2019, from https://www.cdc.gov/healthcommunication/toolstemplates/entertainmented/tips/PregnancyPrenatalCare.htm Prenatal Vitamin Ingredients. (2018, November 24). Retrieved March 20, 2019, from https://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/prenatal-vitamin-ingredients
