Trying to conceive? You shouldn’t be waiting for the
positive pregnancy test to start making some changes to prep your body. One of the most important things you can start doing right now is as simple as taking a
prenatal vitamin.
- Increasing some nutrients is critical during your fifth week of pregnancy, that's just 1 week after your missed period when you may not even know you’re pregnant!
- Folate needs increase from 400 to 600 micrograms per day when you’re pregnant. Folate is important for preventing birth defects of the brain and spinal cord.
- Iron becomes important as your uterus expands. Blood vessels are forming at this time to nourish your baby and iron is necessary in this process. Daily needs increase from 18 to 27 micrograms per day while you're pregnant.
- While you’re trying to conceive, most prenatal vitamins are fine as long as they include the right amount of those two nutrients. Although there is not an increased need at this time, you may also want to consider finding one that includes 1000 mg of calcium. Most women don’t consume enough calcium on a regular basis and building up your reserves prior to pregnancy will definitely give you an advantage.
Regardless of the time it takes for you to conceive, having the nutrient stores ready will make sure you and that little one you’re hoping for are on the right track from the beginning!
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