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What are One a Day® Prenatal Vitamins?

Matt Brady
Matt Brady

One A Day® prenatal vitamins are multivitamins made for pregnant women by Bayer Healthcare. One A Day® prenatal packages contain two pills: a tablet loaded with high amounts of folic acid and iron, and a liquid gel capsule containing DHA, an Omega-3 fatty acid. The tablets contain extra folic acid because it's believed that a diet rich in folate might help prevent brain and spinal cord birth defects in infants. The higher amounts of iron are intended to help increase oxygen flow to fetuses. The DHA liquid gel capsules help with fetal brain and eye development.

Medical experts generally recommend that pregnant women take some kind of prenatal vitamin to ensure healthy fetal development and to ensure daily intake requirements are met. It doesn't necessarily have to be One A Day's®, as there are other competitive over-the-counter brands as well as prescription vitamins that a doctor might recommend. As always, one should consult a doctor before making significant dietary changes.

One A Day® prenatal vitamins might be the choice for some pregnant women.
One A Day® prenatal vitamins might be the choice for some pregnant women.

Most One A Day® prenatal vitamins come packaged in boxes containing 60 pills, broken up into 30 tablets and 30 DHA liquid gel capsules. Each pill is supposed to be taken daily, although it's typically fine to take them separately at different times of the day. Pregnant women usually experience increased needs for iron, calcium and folic acid; One A Day® prenatal vitamins help ensure that those increased needs are met. DHA liquid gel capsules are also especially important, as they're probably the safest source of Omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy.

Taking One A Day prenatal vitamins during pregnancy may help reduce the chances of birth defects.
Taking One A Day prenatal vitamins during pregnancy may help reduce the chances of birth defects.

When not expecting, women can normally get their Omega-3 intake from fish. While pregnant, however, regularly eating fish is usually not recommended. By taking DHA liquid gel capsules, women and fetuses are able to safely intake the recommended amount of Omega-3s.

Perhaps one of the most common questions surrounding One A Day® prenatal vitamins is when to start and stop taking the vitamins. It is generally recommended that women begin taking prenatal vitamins when trying to conceive and to continue taking them while breastfeeding. When nursing, babies still stand to gain a lot from prenatal vitamins passed through their mothers' milk, especially from DHA liquid gel capsules, which continue to help stimulate eye and brain development.

One A Day prenatal vitamins include a capsule of the Omega-3 fatty acid DHA.
One A Day prenatal vitamins include a capsule of the Omega-3 fatty acid DHA.

Not all prenatal multivitamin brands require taking two pills a day. Many bunch all the nutrients into one simple pill. As such, choosing the right prenatal pill often comes down to a matter of preference. Some don't mind taking two pills, while others find it cumbersome. Choosing a prenatal vitamin is also something that should be discussed with a physician, so a person can take into consideration their individual health history, such as allergies and special dietary needs.

Discussion Comments

ysmina

I took One A Day prenatal vitamins and also a calcium and vitamin D capsules during my pregnancy, it worked well for me. I particularly like One A Day vitamins because they have different vitamins available for different age groups and needs. So you know that their prenatal vitamins are made specifically for pregnant women. I'm not entirely sure, but taking other regular vitamins might have additives that might not be necessary or beneficial for the baby.

I think if you are pregnant or trying to conceive, it's always a good idea to visit your gynecologist and ask for their suggestion. Also because your body might have a certain deficiency in a vitamin or mineral and it would be good to determine that as soon as possible.

candyquilt

I have a question about the Omega 3 capsule in one a day. Is it made from fish oil?

I'm a strict vegetarian and do not want to take fish oil. My doctor said that I need to take prenatal vitamins that have DHA and omega 3. I know that some Omega 3 comes from algae and some comes from fish oil. Can I take one a day vitamins?

turquoise

I have been taking prenatal vitamins. We're trying to conceive and the doctor suggested that I start taking the vitamins now.

The only problem I have with it is that it causes headaches. I asked my doctor about it and she said that if my vitamins have a lot of vitamin A, it might cause headaches. The headaches are generally better when I have more water. But I still want to switch to a different brand.

One A Day doesn't have vitamin A right?

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    • One A Day® prenatal vitamins might be the choice for some pregnant women.
      By: hartphotography
      One A Day® prenatal vitamins might be the choice for some pregnant women.
    • Taking One A Day prenatal vitamins during pregnancy may help reduce the chances of birth defects.
      By: Syda Productions
      Taking One A Day prenatal vitamins during pregnancy may help reduce the chances of birth defects.
    • One A Day prenatal vitamins include a capsule of the Omega-3 fatty acid DHA.
      By: Nomad_Soul
      One A Day prenatal vitamins include a capsule of the Omega-3 fatty acid DHA.
    • Folic acid, iron and the omega-3 fatty acid DHA are commonly included in prenatal vitamins.
      By: Rohit Seth
      Folic acid, iron and the omega-3 fatty acid DHA are commonly included in prenatal vitamins.
    • Prenatal vitamins may cause constipation and indigestion in some women.
      By: Langstrup
      Prenatal vitamins may cause constipation and indigestion in some women.