Prenatal vitamins are specially formulated multivitamins that will help with any nutritional deficiencies that the mother has due to bad eating habits, overindulged cravings as well as illnesses that the mother may have. They include extra vitamins and minerals such as folic acid, iron and calcium. Folic acid in particular is extremely important because it reduces the risk of having a baby who is inflicted with spina bifida which is a serious birth defect of the spinal cord and can cause problems within the brain. When the baby is born the spine is not closed which leaves the nerves exposed and possibly damaged which can lead to paralysis, as well as other ailments.

The calcium and iron are also important for different reasons. When pregnant, women can lose some of their own bone density because they are lacking in calcium due to the fact that the fetus is taking most of it. Calcium will help keep the mother’s bones stronger. Iron is essential as most women lose their iron as their blood flows to the fetus as well, not to mention it helps the blood both to the mother and baby carry the necessary oxygen they need. Although prenatal vitamins are no substitution for a healthy diet, they bring benefits to both the mother and the baby’s well-being to help to insure a healthy baby.