Choosing the Right Prenatal Vitamin for You

Written By Lora Shahine, MD

What role do prenatal vitamins play in fertility and pregnancy? When should you start taking them to support a healthy pregnancy? And how do you choose the best prenatal vitamin with the right nutrients?

In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Shahine explores the essential role of prenatal vitamins in supporting both fertility and pregnancy. She explains the importance of these supplements, when to start taking them, the difference between folic acid and folate, and what key nutrients to look for. She also discusses recommended daily intakes and how different vitamins—like folic acid, iron, calcium, and DHA—contribute to the health of both mother and baby.

Listeners will learn how to evaluate the quality of prenatal supplements and ensure they meet expert guidelines, including recommendations from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Whether you're trying to conceive or already pregnant, this episode is full of the knowledge to make informed choices about prenatal nutrition.

In this episode you’ll hear:

[1:09] Why prenatal vitamins are essential

[2:43] When should you start taking a prenatal vitamin?

[3:32] Key nutrients in prenatal vitamins

  • Folic acid vs folate

  • Iron

  • Calcium

  • Vitamin D

  • Others

[15:21] Choosing the right prenatal vitamin brand

[15:55] Making an informed choice 

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Lora Shahine, MD

Dr. Lora Shahine, reproductive endocrinologist at Pacific NW Fertility and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Washington in Seattle, completed her residency in OBGYN at the University of California in San Francisco and fellowship in reproductive endocrinology at Stanford University. She is dedicated to educating and advocating for increased awareness of infertility, miscarriage, and the impact on environmental toxins on health through an active social media presence, teaching, clinical research, and authoring multiple blogs and books including best selling, ‘Not Broken: An Approachable Guide to Miscarriage and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss.’

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