If you are thinking about becoming pregnant or recently found out you are pregnant, then you need to take a daily prenatal vitamin. As always, it is a good idea to check with your physician before taking a new medicine. When looking at the sea of choices at your local pharmacies it can be overwhelming. Most medical providers are now recommending a prenatal with DHA. Here are a few things you can do to ensure you are choosing a good prenatal vitamin:

• Ask the pharmacist which brand she would recommend and make sure it is third party tested. This helps to ensure the potency level listed on the bottle is accurate and is free of contaminants and/or heavy metals.
• Make sure that it is enteric coated to prevent a fishy aftertaste. This is something you definitely don’t want when you are pregnant and possibly experiencing nausea.
• Once you have started prenatal care, ask your medical provider if you should continue to take your over-the-counter vitamin or start taking a prescription. If you can, bring your OCV with you to your first visit to ensure it contains the correct amounts of folic acid, iron and calcium with D3. Here’s a more detailed description of the exact amounts of each vitamin and mineral.
• Many people have sensitive stomachs and may need to also look for a prenatal that does not contain artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
• Some people have a hard time swallowing pills or feel nausea during the first trimester when taking a vitamin. You can contact your local medical provider for help choosing a different prenatal or try a gummy, liquid or chewable vitamin.
• It is important to remember that a vitamin is a supplement and should be used in addition to a diet that contains lots of fruits, veggies (especially leafy greens for calcium), and good sources of protein.