Some women have trouble getting enough of certain foods. For example, lactose intolerant women may be unable to have milk products. A prenatal vitamin and mineral supplement should be taken once a day to help fill the gap. One vitamin, called folic acid, deserves special mention. Getting at least 0.4 mg of folic acid every day in the months preceding pregnancy and the first 6 weeks of pregnancy has been shown to decrease the incidence of spina bifida, a common birth defect.
Many women take prenatal vitamins or multivitamins while they are trying to get pregnant.
Foods rich in folic acid include green leafy vegetables and whole grains. Finally, keep in mind that more is not always better. Some vitamins, such as vitamin A, are harmful in high dosages. If you're taking any vitamin or herbal supplement, be sure to talk to your health care provider about it. And you should avoid any that aren't labeled for use during pregnancy.