Intro
Most pregnant women know the importance of taking prenatal vitamins. It’s a great way to ensure you have all your nutritional bases covered during the intense process of growing a baby. But what about after labor and delivery?
Should you keep taking prenatals? Or is that the ideal time to switch to a postnatal vitamin? What's the difference?
We're discussing prenatal vs. postnatal vitamins and when you should make the switch.
What is the Difference Between Prenatal and Postnatal Vitamins?
Prenatal vitamins are optimized to provide the body with nutrients needed during pregnancy (such as folate, choline, and iron), while postnatal vitamins are formulated to support the body after birth. Prenatal vitamins have been on the market for decades, while postnatal vitamins are relatively new.
You don’t necessarily need to switch to a postnatal vitamin after you give birth—it’s completely fine to stick to your trusty old prenatal if that’s what you prefer. The reality is that your needs during pregnancy and postpartum are more similar than you think, so choosing a comprehensive prenatal vitamin can still meet your needs for both phases.
But because the experience of pregnancy and birth can be very depleting, you may decide to try a vitamin that’s specifically designed for the postpartum period. After all, you don’t suddenly stop needing extra nutrients once your baby is born. On the contrary, you'll need adequate support for your recovery and breastfeeding, too.
The Importance of Prenatal Vitamins During Pregnancy
You may wonder, do I even need a prenatal vitamin during pregnancy? Especially if you tend to eat a very balanced diet.
It’s a fair question, but the truth is that the nutrient demands of pregnancy are so high, that even the best modern diet is unlikely to be able to meet your needs. Take Choline, for example. You’d need to eat four eggs each day to get 400 mg. To get enough Folate, you’d need 10 cups of raw spinach or three avocados every day.
Add in the nausea many pregnant women feel during early pregnancy, which can make keeping down even the most nutrient-dense food feel like a chore. A comprehensive prenatal vitamin contains the optimal forms and amount of nutrients to support you and your growing baby.
What to Look For in Prenatal or Postnatal Vitamins
How should you choose a prenatal or postnatal vitamin? What nutrients should you look for? Here are some of the nutrients that are vital for your health throughout pregnancy and postpartum.
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Vitamin D: Supports bone health and immunity for both mother and baby. It can also support mood, making a big difference in the postpartum period.
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DHA (Omega-3 Fatty Acids): Supports maternal mental health, cognitive function, and brain and eye development for the fetus.
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Collagen: Aids in repair from childbirth for both tissues and skin.
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Iron: Supports red blood cell production and placenta development. Also fights fatigue and helps with blood loss from delivery and lochia (the postpartum period of bleeding)
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Calcium: Supports oral health and bone health. Breastfeeding draws calcium from the mother's body, leading to a 4-6% loss of bone mass during nursing. Adequate calcium intake helps replace this loss.
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B vitamins (including B12 and folate): These support mood, energy, and cognitive function.
The above is just an example. You should check with your healthcare provider to figure out what additional nutrients you may need.
First Trimester
These first three months are all about fueling your body with the vitamins and minerals that support your baby’s developing neural tubes while meeting your nutritional needs during this crucial time.
Look for a vitamin that includes:
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Folate: This is key to prevent neural tube defects. Look for 5MTHF or Methylfolate in supplements. Avoid folic acid.
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Choline: Also supports neural tube development. Look for choline bitartrate.
Vitamin B12: Aids in fetal development. Look for 150 mcg of adenosylcobalamin and methylcobalamin. Avoid cyanocobalamin.
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Zinc: Essential for DNA synthesis and cell division. Look for zinc bisglycinate. Avoid supplements with folic acid or copper, which hinder absorption.
- Magnesium: Supports relaxation and elimination. Look for magnesium glycinate.
Second Trimester
The next few months are all about focusing on vitamins and minerals that create an optimal environment for your baby during this time of rapid growth and development.
Look for a vitamin that includes:
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Vitamin A: Supports baby’s vision and organ development. Look for a balance of retinyl palmitate and beta carotene in supplements (NOTE: There is some clinical evidence that too much vitamin A may cause fetal defects, so stick with the recommended daily value).
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Vitamin C: Aids in connective tissue synthesis. Look for ascorbic acid.
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Vitamin D and K2: Helps with bone and teeth development in baby and immune function for you.
- Iron: Supports oxygen transport as blood volume increases. Look for ferrous bisglycinate chelate, which is more bioavailable and has a lower risk of GI side effects.
Third Trimester
During the home stretch of your pregnancy, the baby's bones and brain are developing quickly. Nutritional intake should support this critical growth and your overall health and wellness.
Look for a vitamin that includes:
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Calcium: Supports baby’s skeletal development (baby absorbs 250 mg daily). Look for di-calcium malate. Avoid high doses that may hinder iron absorption.
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Magnesium: Supports your sleep and muscle function.
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Vitamin C: Supports tissue repair and boosts immunity in preparation for birth.
- Omega-3: Supports baby’s brain development and replenishes your stores.
What Do Nutrient Needs Look Like In the Fourth Trimester?
Nutritional needs during the fourth trimester, the weeks following labor and delivery, are significant. Your body is working hard to replenish calcium, vitamin B6, and folate while you are likely surviving on little to no sleep and caring for a new baby.
If you had multiples, closely-spaced pregnancies or were deficient in nutrients before or during pregnancy, taking a postnatal vitamin may be even more important.
Postnatal vitamins have become common because mothers want to avoid nutritional deficiencies after birth. They contribute to or exacerbate existing imbalances in hormones and autoimmune conditions. One common issue, postpartum thyroiditis, affects anywhere between 5-10% of women. Nutrient deficiencies can also impact the health of subsequent pregnancies.
When Should You Make the Switch from Prenatals to Postnatals?
If you decide to switch from prenatals to postnatals, when should you do it? Should you pack a bottle of postnatals in your hospital bag and pop one the day after birth? Not necessarily!
Honestly, it’s up to you—if you want to keep going on prenatals for a few days or weeks after giving birth, that's fine. Or you can start taking postnatals directly after birth or even a few days or weeks into the fourth trimester.
Nutrient needs are still pretty high after birth. Pregnancy and postpartum are among the most nutritionally demanding phases of your life. Your body isn't just healing after giving birth. It's repairing itself, regulating hormones and, in many cases, making nutrient-dense breast milk. That's all the more reason to keep taking a prenatal, or start a postnatal vitamin.
Will Postnatal Vitamins Help With Breastfeeding?
Absolutely! Postnatal vitamins for breastfeeding are a great way to support both you and your baby during those early days, months, and even years. Breastfeeding increases your nutrient needs, and some essential nutrients are only passed to your baby through your diet and supplements.
Key nutrients that support your baby’s brain development—like omega-3 fatty acids, choline, vitamins A, C, D, iodine, and B vitamins—depend on your nutritional intake. A high-quality postnatal vitamin ensures you’re giving both yourself and your little one the best start.
In a recent review of clinical data, authors wrote, “There seems to be a positive association between nutritional supplementation of the lactating mother and the concentration of certain nutrients in human milk.”
However, it's important to note that no vitamin can guarantee an increase in milk supply; that's determined by several different factors.
What If I'm Not Breastfeeding?
It’s still a great idea to incorporate a vitamin into your daily regimen, even if you’re not breastfeeding. After all, your body is recovering from the difficult work of growing and birthing a human—why not give it a little extra nutritional love?
For example, postnatal vitamins with iron can support your body’s iron needs after any blood loss experienced during birth. Adequate nutrition supports balanced hormone levels and ensures you get the necessary vitamins while not breastfeeding.
How Long Should You Take Postnatal Vitamins After Giving Birth?
Whether you decide to stick with your prenatal or go for a postnatal vitamin, it's a good idea to stick with one for at least the fourth trimester (12 weeks following birth) and, if possible, six months to one year after birth.
Recovery looks different for everyone, so you can continue to take a vitamin longer than that year, especially if you find that it helps you feel better.
Consult with your doctor or midwife about your specific situation—if you have special nutritional needs, it may also be useful to see a dietitian who specializes in women’s health.
At Needed, we believe that your pregnancy deserves the proper nourishment. That’s why we formulated our Complete Plan for optimal nutrition before, during, and after pregnancy.
FAQs:
Can I Keep Taking Prenatal Vitamins After Pregnancy?
Yes! It’s fine to continue taking prenatal vitamins after you give birth. Doing so can ensure both you and your baby are getting adequate nutrients, especially if you are breastfeeding or pumping. A good prenatal vitamin will continue to support you during the fourth trimester and beyond.
Can I take prenatal vitamins instead of postnatal?
Yes! There’s no need to switch to postnatal vitamins unless you want to. Both prenatal and postnatal vitamins are formulated in a similar way, designed to cover the intense nutritional needs of both pregnancy and postpartum. So, either one should be a good choice for you.
Should you take a prenatal or postnatal while breastfeeding?
It’s up to you! Both prenatal and postnatal vitamins are formulated to support the special nutrient needs during pregnancy, postpartum, and lactation, so either one will be a great choice. Just be sure to supplement your nutrition with one of them to ensure you are getting the best nutrients (and your baby is, too, through your milk!).
When to stop taking postnatal vitamins?
You can stop taking postnatal vitamins about six months to a year after birth or when you stop breastfeeding (whichever comes first). This is to ensure your body has enough time to replenish nutrients after the intense experience of pregnancy, birth, and lactation.
Can I continue taking prenatal vitamins after birth?
Yes! It’s just fine to continue taking your prenatal after you give birth. Doing so will ensure that you have enough nutrients to help your body recover from birth and make milk. Most prenatal formulas are designed with the required amounts of vitamins and minerals needed for your best health, just as they did during pregnancy.
