When I was a young newlywed and ready to start a family, I knew that I needed to make sure my body was healthy and able to handle the strain of pregnancy. I limited processed foods and sugar in my diet, ate plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and took a multi-vitamin every day. And because I had done some research about pre-natal health, the vitamin I chose was Nestlé Materna, which contains thirteen essential vitamins including 1 mg of folic acid.
I’m not alone in my knowledge of the importance of folic acid during pregnancy. In fact, in the recent Nestlé Materna Pre-natal Poll of Canadian women, 91% of those polled knew pregnant women should take a multi-vitamin containing folic acid. But what many women don’t realize is that they should be taking that multi-vitamin before becoming pregnant as well. About half of all pregnancies are unplanned and often, women don’t know they are pregnant until they’ve missed their first period. But folic acid is especially important in the first four weeks of pregnancy in order to prevent Neural Tube Defects such as spina bifida.
And the benefits of a daily multi-vitamin continue even after giving birth, especially for women that are breastfeeding. Nestlé Materna also provides iron, calcium and vitamin D to ensure that a woman’s body is capable of producing milk for her baby without compromising her own health in the process. As someone that doesn’t eat a lot of meat, getting enough iron is something that’s always been a challenge for me and I tend to bruise quite easily as a result. I still remember how the bruises on my legs faded in mere days once I started taking Nestlé Materna. That was enough evidence for me that it was providing nutrition my body desperately needed!
One of the other findings in the Nestlé Materna Pre-natal Poll was that for many women, simple healthy choices such as taking a multi-vitamin containing folic acid decline after the first baby. In fact, there is a 13% drop in the number of women who take pre-natal vitamins with folic acid when comparing the first pregnancy to third and later pregnancies. I have to admit, I understand how this can happen. After all, with a first pregnancy, a mother has the luxury of focusing completely on her body and the needs of the baby growing inside her. But with future pregnancies, a mother is already caring for a child as well as for herself, and women have a tendency to put their needs last when it comes to caring for their children.
But when something as simple as one small multi-vitamin each day can help prevent serious disorders and ensure a healthy life for your baby, it’s important to find a way to remember to take that vitamin! One of the best ways I’ve found to remember a daily vitamin is to keep the bottle out and visible on the counter. I never seem to take my vitamins when the bottle is hidden away in the cupboard, but when the bottle is visible, remembering is much easier! And if you’re an on-the-go woman that is often out of the house, fill up a pill container and download a pill reminder app to ensure that you always remember to take that vitamin no matter where your day takes you.
When it comes to ensuring that you’re doing the best you can for your body and your baby, taking a daily multi-vitamin like Materna as soon as you start trying for a baby and continuing until you finish breastfeeding is one of the easiest and most effective choices you can make. Women can learn more about the pre-natal and post-natal nutrition at NestléBaby.ca. Remember, Health Canada recommends all women who could become pregnant, as well as those that are pregnant or breastfeeding, take a multi-vitamin containing at least 0.4 mg of folic acid such as Nestlé Materna. So if you’re starting a family, make sure you make a pre-natal vitamin part of your daily routine!
Sounds an awful lot like an infomercial. Did you research different alternatives in pre-natal vitamins? Is all your information straight from Nestle? How is Materna different than the store brand products?
It’s certainly up to every woman to use what they feel is best for themselves, Christina. Personally, I chose Materna both because my doctor recommended it and because it had the levels of iron, calcium and folic acid I was looking for. You might prefer a different brand. This particular post is more about the results of the poll and the importance of taking a pre-natal vitamin not just during pregnancy, but when planning a family as well.
I used Materna when I was expecting Sara and she is 25 now! I remember I would make a shake for myself with protein powder and take one of the vitamins and I felt great…that was after 3 month of morning, noon and night sickness!! LOL
Oh that must have been so hard to go through, Teresa! For me, it was tiredness, but I had a lot more energy when I started remembering to take that vitamin every day!
I will share this with my friends that are trying to have kids. :)
I took Materna throughout both of my pregnancies and breastfeeding. I would recommend it, as my doctor did to me
I used these for both of my pregnancies! Great stuff!
I was very surprised at the percentage that didn’t take the vitamin after the 1st pregnancy.
I think that was actually the fact that shocked me the most too, Erin. While I do see how it can happen, that is a huge drop!
They are great vitamins! A definite must if you are planning to start a family.
used them through my pregnancies
I noticed when I was on pre natal vitamins that is when my fingernails started growing naturally long and stronger than ever! I think there are benefits to taking these kinds of vitamins even when not pregnant.
I agree, Yvonne! The iron and calcium in them are so beneficial for women in general, I think!
definitely need to keep this in mind for anyone i know having kids!