Taking a daily vitamin with the nutrients you’ll need during pregnancy is a good idea when you’re trying to conceive (TTC). A prenatal vitamin will definitely give you the vitamins and minerals you need while preparing for pregnancy, but a regular multivitamin will probably also do the trick.
In the past, prenatal vitamins were the only vitamins that contained the amount of folic acid needed for a baby’s healthy development during pregnancy (especially early pregnancy), so it made sense for women who were TTC to take a prenatal vitamin. However, most multivitamins on the market these days contain at least 600 mcg of folic acid, which is the daily recommended value during pregnancy.
The benefits to choosing a prenatal vitamin while TTC over a daily multivitamin are that you’re taking a vitamin designed for pregnancy and you can get acclimated to a particular prenatal that you could continue taking once you conceive. But at the end of the day, you just want to make sure you’re getting enough Vitamin C, Vitamin B12, and folic acid. If you can get those nutrients from a daily multivitamin you already like, feel free to stick with it! And if you haven’t started a vitamin regimen yet, kick it off with the vitamin that works for you.
Your benefits
If you’re trying to conceive, you may want to consider setting up a preconception appointment with your healthcare provider. This appointment is a great opportunity to go over the ins and outs of trying to conceive and early pregnancy, allowing you to discuss things like which prenatal vitamin might be best for you.
To review the specifics of your health plan, find a doctor or pharmacy, download a digital ID card, and much more, log in to your secure account. You can also call Member Services at the number on the back of your health plan ID card (TTY: 711).
