A woman who becomes pregnant is prescribed by her obstetrician prenatal vitamin supplements. And one of the most important of these is folic acid. Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate; folate is an essential B vitamin that plays an important role in many bodily functions. Folic acid supplementation has helped prevent many birth defects over the years, especially spina bifida. What many of us may not know is that flour and grains in most developed countries, including the US, are also fortified with folic acid for more than a decade now.

Unfortunately, recent research studies are casting doubt on the benefit of folic acid fortification and supplementation. Several clinical trials have shown for example that folic acid does not reduce risks of developing chronic diseases and may even have some adverse effects. Below I summarize some of the studies on folic acid supplementation.

Folic acid and its effects on the genes of offspring

Researchers from the University of Toronto have observed in mice that folic acid supplementation during pregnancy induces changes in the genes of the offsprings. The changes may consist of either silencing or activating genes that suppress tumors. This suggests that maternal supplementation with folic acid can have an effect on the susceptibility of the offsprings to cancer.

Folic acid and heart disease

This clinical trial of Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston followed up 5,400 female health professionals for about 7.3 years. The results suggest that folic acid did not lower levels of the amino acid homocysteine, believed to be a biomarker for cardiovascular disease. Thus, folic acid supplemention does not reduce cardiovascular risks.

Folic acid and cancer

This study by researchers at Harvard Medical School looked at the effect of folic acid, vitamin B₆, and vitamin B₁₂ in reducing cancer risk in women. The results showed that a combination of these three vitamins did not protect women from breast cancer or total invasive cancer.

This recent research results raise the question of the benefits of folic acid fortification of food for the general population. Could it be that people in developed countries like the US are consuming too much folic acid? Could it be that long-term consumption of folic acid (as found in our food) can increase development of cancer in some people? Could folic acid supplementation during pregnancy increase cancer risk in the unborn child?

Currently, there isn’t enough evidence to change the clinical practice of taking folic acid supplementation during pregnancy. Several studies are ongoing to try to answer the aforementioned questions.

This is one recall that concerns pregnant women so please read!

The generic drug manufacturing company Ethex Corporation (a subsidiary of KV Pharmaceuticals) have recalled some of their vitamin and iron supplements normally prescribed to pregnant women, according to this US FDA safety alert. Although some recalls were at the wholesaler level, some drugs have already reached retailing pharmacies and maybe even the consumers.

The recalls started in 2008 and have now been expanded to include more than 60 generic products. The drugs that have reached the retailers are hydromorphone HCl and metoprolol succinate.

The reason for the recall is the fact that the products were manufactured under conditions that were noncompliant with good manufacturing practices (GMP) guidelines and is mainly a precautionary measure. The company press release and recall announcement did not specify any reported cases of adverse events associated with the products.

Pregnant women currently on the said prenatal vitamins are advised NOT TO STOP taking them because sudden cessation of certain medications can be hazardous to the health. Patients should therefore continue taking the medications but should talk to their doctors should they experience problems.

For a list of the products being recalled, check out

• press release on the FDA site
• company website

Have you and your partner decided to get pregnant? If you have, congratulations. Trying to get pregnant can be a snap for some couples, but for others, it may take awhile. Before you and your partner take the plunge however, you’ll be ahead of the curve if you try to at least do some of the following. You’ll not only feel healthier, it may even better your chances of conception and a healthy baby in the end.

1. Make a visit with your ob/gyn or general physician. Tell them of your plans, they’ll most likely due a routine examination and then tell you of anything you should work on. Whether it be weight, blood pressure, diabetes, etc. If you’re given an all-clear, they’ll most likely prescribe you some prenatal vitamins.
2. Regularly take the prenatal vitamins. Physicians usually recommend taking the vitamins for at least two months, so you’re body is nice and stocked with the essential vitamins that helps you while pregnant. The most important of this is folic acid, which aids in the baby’s brain development for the first few months and helps avoid any potential brain defects. You need at least 400 grams of folic acid and you’re prenatal vitamins is the one that will pack the appropriate punch.
3. Start exercising and stick to it. It’s more important now than ever before to get healthy. I wish I had gotten ultra-fit before I tried to get pregnant. Studies show that the fitter you are before getting pregnant, the faster you’ll get back to your pre-pregnant weight. And let’s face it, that’s mom’s top desire immediately following the desire to have a healthy and happy baby. You’ll also be able to carry the added weight of pregnancy if you’re exercising, be less stressed, and more limber. All of which could greatly help in labor.
4. Avoid alcohol and cigarettes, even second-hand smoke. Both can get in the way of getting pregnant, and it’s not healthy having any of the carcinogens in cigarettes or any alcohol in your system even at the very beginning of conception.
5. Start eating healthy. The healthier you are, the better your body is prepared to start conceiving and nurturing a baby inside you. Getting into a habit now will help stave off the “I’m pregnant so let me eat what I want” excuse. Your future baby will soon be ingesting everything you put into your mouth, so watch what you eat.
6. Start saving. Babies cost money. A LOT of money. Even with generous parents or friends, you’ll want a nice cushion to help you once the baby comes. You’ll suddenly find you absolutely need that new and top of the line infant swing once you heard it helps babies get to sleep faster. It’s also nice to have savings so you are not beholden to your company’s stingy maternity leave (for those who aren’t as lucky as others).
7. Start looking at your health insurance policy. The earlier you’re forearmed with knowledge, the better. I had a top-notch insurance policy. All I had to pay, literally, were $300 out of pocket. My best friend’s brother’s family however, had to fork out $2000 because their policy wasn’t as inclusive.
8. Start investigating your work-place’s maternity leave? How much money will you need to save up if you plan to stay home for 6 months after the baby’s born? Is your job save if you wish to stay home that long? Be in the know.
9. Find out when you ovulate. There are many different methods. You can time your periods, take your temperature (there’s a small spike in body temperature when ovulating), etc. Research the different methods and time your bedroom forays on the right day.
10. Last but not least: Relax! Do yoga, practice meditation, and breathing exercises. The more relaxed you are, the better your chances at conceiving.

Good luck!

Here’s another reason to take your pre-natal vitamins. Moms who get enough vitamin D while pregnant have babies with healthier teeth, according to Canadian researchers.

Moms who were deficient in vitamin D while pregnant had children who had significantly more tooth problems, such as weak tooth enamel and tooth decay.

Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, important for healthy teeth and bones.

There’s vitamin D in prenatal vitamins, and in vitamin D-fortified milk, soy milk, and breakfast cereal. Vitamin D is also found naturally in fatty fish like salmon, catfish and tuna, and in eggs.

The sun also makes vitamin D: going out in the sun without sunscreen for a couple of minutes a day produces vitamin D in the skin. The sun helps you make vitamin D year round in the southern US, but only in the summer in the northern states. So northern moms like me definitely need vitamin D supplements, especially so in the winter.

There’s somewhat of a conflict between what we’ve all been told to do – wear a hat, wear sunscreen, wear sunglasses in the sun. I admit I do get lazy about sunscreen when I’m only out in the sun for a couple of minutes, so I guess I am making plenty of vitamin D, even though my dermatologist would tell me off.

So most dermatologists recommend covering up in the sun, and wearing sunscreen, and getting your vitamin D from food and supplements.

And once baby is born, breastfeeding moms should keep up their vitamin D supplements. Your baby’s pediatrician may recommend vitamin D supplements for exclusively breastfed babies. Formula has vitamin D added, but breast milk is naturally low in vitamin D.

You have to make some trades when you’re pregnant. You might get huge, but you have that whole glow thing going on. You might be tired beyond belief, but people encourage you to rest and relax because of your condition. All in all, it’s not all that bad.

One of my favorite perks of being pregnant was the effect it had on my hair and nails. My hair suddenly got thick and shiny. My fingernails were suddenly strong and growing like mad. Keep in mind that my hair has never been very thick and I’ve had a constant battle with my fingernails. I was really impressed by what my body could pull off.

I’ve read that the hair and nails thing is a result of the pregnancy hormones surging through the body, but I’ve also read that it has more to do with prenatal vitamins. I’m not sure which one to thank, but I was extremely grateful.

The only problem is that after this taste of incredible hair and fingernails, it goes away after the baby is born. My once-fine-then-thick hair became fine once again, and my nails became a lot more brittle than they were during the pregnancy. For lack of a better term, it was a real bummer.

I don’t miss being huge and I don’t miss having to pee every thirty seconds, but I do miss the fabulous hair and nails that come along with pregnancy.

Doctors recently learned that moms who go into labor before 37 weeks often have lower levels of vitamin C than average. Vitamin C is an important component of the amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby and doctors suspect a lack of vitamin C may trigger early labor.

Most vitamin C comes from fruit and vegetables. Here’s some foods that are rich in vitamin C.

• Many fruits, especially blackcurrants, oranges, guava, kiwi fruit, melon, lemon, mango, papaya, grapefruit and strawberries.

• Lots of vegetables, like broccoli, spinach, cauliflower, red bell peppers, potatoes and cabbage.

• Fruit juices are rich in vitamin C or are fortified with vitamin C, breakfast cereals

usually have vitamin C added, but check the label.

And of course, pre-natal vitamins. Another reason to take those pre-natal vitamins especially if you don’t eat many veggies.

Source – International Medical News Group

Long before my husband and I actively started trying to have a baby we made an appointment with our family doctor for a preconception appointment. I know that many people just jump right into trying to conceive without doing this, but since I like to plan everything I figured it couldn’t hurt.

If you plan on having a preconception appointment with your doctor, here are some of the things you can expect:

1. Your doctor will weigh you. If you are overweight you’ll probably be urged to lose a little weight and get into a regular exercise program long before getting pregnant. If you’re underweight, your doctor will probably suggest you get up to a healthy weight before getting pregnant.

2. Your doctor will review your current list of medications. If you currently take anything that might not be okay for pregnancy then your doctor will talk with you about alternatives.

3. Your doctor may suggest you start taking prenatal vitamins, or at least a vitamin with extra Folic Acid. My doctor actually prescribed prenatal vitamins to me, but you can buy some types over the counter.

4. Your doctor will chat with you about any questions or concerns you have. My doctor was a real trooper and answered all our questions: “Can I drink coffee while I’m pregnant?” “How long do I have to wait to take a pregnancy test?” “Can I take Tylenol for a headache while trying to conceive since I might be pregnant?” We’re lucky to have a great doctor.

Your doctor may have a different method to get through a TTC appointment, but the important thing is that you’re able to get all your questions answered. If you’re thinking about getting pregnant and want to start out as healthy as possible, an appointment to check your health and get questions answered certainly can’t hurt.