Human Health Hub

What Are Prenatal Vitamins? Prenatal vitamins are supplements made for pregnant women to give their bodies the vitamins and minerals needed for a healthy pregnancy. Your doctor may suggest that you take them when you begin to plan for pregnancy, as well as while you’re pregnant. Eating a healthy diet is always a wise idea -- especially during pregnancy. It's also a good idea to take a prenatal vitamin to help cover any nutritional gaps in your diet. What to Look for in Prenatal Vitamins Prenatal vitamins help ensure that you get the nutrients you need for a healthy pregnancy. Look for prenatal vitamins that have: 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid 400 IU of vitamin D 200 to 300 milligrams (mg) of calcium 70 mg of vitamin C 3 mg of thiamine 2 mg of riboflavin 20 mg of niacin 6 mcg of vitamin B12 10 mg of vitamin E 15 mg of zinc 17 mg of iron 150 micrograms of iodine Prenatal vitamins typically contain higher levels of certain vitamins and minerals that are crucial for fetal dev...

Heartburn is a common symptom during pregnancy. Changes in your hormones and body shape can contribute to acid reflux and heartburn. A few dietary and lifestyle changes can prevent and relieve symptoms. What is heartburn? Heartburn is when you have a burning feeling in your chest. The uncomfortable sensation can move up your throat. You may also have a bitter or sour taste in the back of your throat. Though it’s called “heartburn,” it’s not related to your heart. It happens because of acid reflux, which occurs when stomach acid moves from your stomach up to your esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that carries food, liquid and saliva to your stomach. A muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) sits between the esophagus and stomach. It opens to allow food to pass, then closes so acid doesn’t travel back up your esophagus. But if the LES doesn’t close properly, the acid can move into your esophagus, causing heartburn. Why does heartburn happen during pregnancy? Heartburn i...