How to choose a prenatal vitamin (PNV) with pharmacist Dr. Azelia Brown Fast Facts -IF YOU ARE OF CHILDBEARING AGE YOU SHOULD BE TAKING A PNV -MOST WOMEN (97%) TAKE A PNV BUT ONLY AFTER THEY ARE FOUND TO BE PREGNANT -TO AVOID THE DELAY IF YOU ARE NOT PREGNANT START TAKING A PNV TODAY Why do we need a prenatal vitamin? -VITAMINS & MINERALS ARE NEEDED FOR GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. -THERE ARE 13 IMPORTANT VITAMINS: BACKED OR IN OTHER WORDS VITAMINS B (DIFFERENT ONES) A, C, K, E, D. -APART FROM VITAMIN D, WHICH WE GET FROM SUNLIGHT, MOST VITAMINS COME FROM OUR DIET. -DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE IN THE WORLD, OR YOUR ETHNICITY IT IS QUITE COMMON FOR PEOPLE TO BE LOW IN VITAMIN D (1 BILLION IN DEFICIT) -DEPENDING ON YOUR DIET YOU MAY BE LOW IN FOLIC ACID (VITAMIN B9). -THESE VITAMINS ARE IMPORTANT IN PREGNANCY. -YOU CAN BOOST YOUR LEVELS BY TAKING A VITAMIN SUPPLEMENT IRON -ANOTHER COMPONENT OF MOST PNVS IS IRON -IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA IS COMMON IN PREGNANCY -AS IRON NEEDS INCREASE IN PREGNANCY (40-45% BLOOD VOLUME) -SUPPORTS DEVELOPMENT OF PLACENTA AND FETUS -SOURCES – MEAT, FISH, BEANS, LEGUMES, BLACK STRAP MOLASSES -RECOMMENDED 27 MG DAILY -IF ANEMIC YOUR PROVIDER WILL RECOMMEND ADDITIONAL SUPPLEMENTATION THAT SHOULD BE PAIRED WITH VITAMIN C TO INCREASE ABSORPTION DHA -AN OMEGA-3 FATTY ACID -IMPORTANT FOR FETAL VISUAL AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT -DEMANDS INCREASED IN LAST TRIMESTER -RECOMMENDED 300 MG DAILY -EAT 2 SERVINGS OF SAFE/LOW MERCURY FISH (WILD CAUGHT SALMON, SHRIMP) Folic Acid Shout Out -PREVENTS NEURAL TUBE DEFECTS -SEVERE BIRTH DEFECTS OF THE BRAIN & THE SPINE -SUCH AS SPINA BIFIDA & ANENCEPHALY -400 MCG OF FOLIC ACID IS RECOMMENDED FOR MOST -4 MG FOR OTHERS DEPENDING ON MEDICAL HISTORY -START 1 MONTH PRIOR TO CONCEPTION -HAVE CONVERSATION WITH HEALTHCARE PROVIDER Choline Shout Out -REDUCES NEURAL TUBE DEFECTS -INDEPENDENT EFFECT REGARDLESS OF FOLIC ACID SUPPLEMENTATION -IMPROVES COGNITION, ATTENTION SPAN, MEMORY AND PROBLEM SOLVING (APA, 2023) -BEST SOURCE ARE EGG YOLKS, BEEF LIVER, BEEF, SALMON -RECOMMEND 450 MG -Nature Made PNV with Folic Acid + DHA+ Choline - Women's Prenatal Gummy Vitamin | Nature Made® How to choose??? -A healthy, well-balanced diet in combination with prenatal vitamins is the best way to ensure that you get all your necessary daily vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids. -As with any over-the-counter dietary supplement or medication, choosing a prenatal vitamin is a discussion to be had with your healthcare provider. Pro Tips -Let provider know the type of PNV that you are taking -Bring a bottle in for them to review during a visit -Take PNV with food -Take daily when of childbearing age Beef, Iron & Wine -contains pre-digested beef -believed to be a medicinal tonic - sold under different brands -some contained alcohol up to 22% -some overproof -Not for pregnant moms! Guest Information DR. AZELIA BROWN IS CLINICAL PHARMACY SPECIALIST WITH OVER 5 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE HOSPITAL SETTING. SHE COMPLETED HER UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA. SHE THEN RECEIVED HER DOCTOR OF PHARMACY DEGREE FROM MERCER UNIVERSITY AND COMPLETED POST-GRADUATE TRAINING AT WELLSTAR ATLANTA MEDICAL CENTER. THOUGH SHE PRIMARILY PRACTICES IN THE CARDIOLOGY AND CRITICAL CARE SETTING, SHE HAS EXPERIENCE TAKING CARE OF A WIDE VARIETY OF PATIENT POPULATIONS. SHE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT HELPING HER PATIENTS OPTIMIZE THEIR MEDICATION THERAPY AND IMPROVING THEIR HEALTH OUTCOMES. References -ACOG. (2022). NUTRITION DURING PREGNANCY. RETRIEVED FROM HTTPS://WWW.ACOG.ORG/WOMENS-HEALTH/FAQS/NUTRITION-DURING-PREGNANCY -AMERICAN PREGNANCY ASSOCIATION (2023). PRENATAL VITAMINS. RETRIEVED FROM PRENATAL VITAMINS | EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW (AMERICANPREGNANCY.ORG) -BIOSSAT, G. (2019). PRENATAL VITAMINS: A SMALL INTRODUCTION TO A BIG PILL. RETRIEVED FROM PRENATAL VITAMINS: A SMALL INTRODUCTION TO A BIG PILL - CHICAGO HEALTH (CHICAGOHEALTHONLINE.COM) -NHS. (2023). VITAMINS, SUPPLEMENTS AND NUTRITION IN PREGNANCY. RETRIEVED FROM HTTPS://WWW.NHS.UK/PREGNANCY/KEEPING-WELL/VITAMINS-SUPPLEMENTS-AND-NUTRITION/ Disclaimer: The primary purpose of this podcast is for private, non-commercial use. It does not constitute medical or professional advice. https://linktr.ee/fourth.trimester.np?subscribe
