12 Key Pregnancy Benefits of Liquid Prenatal Vitamins
Eating a well-balanced diet is crucial for obtaining all the essential nutrients your body needs. However, if you're pregnant or planning to conceive, it can be challenging to get all the nutrients required from food alone. This is where liquid prenatal vitamins play a vital role in supporting your health.
These supplements provide a convenient way to ensure you receive the necessary vitamins and minerals for you and your developing baby. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about liquid prenatal vitamins, including their benefits, tips on how to take them, and more.
Why Liquid Prenatal Vitamins Are a Great Choice
Liquid prenatal vitamins provide numerous benefits of prenatal vitamins, making them a superior option compared to traditional pills, gummies, or powders. Their liquid form offers faster absorption and is easier to digest, which is especially helpful for pregnant women who may struggle with morning sickness or swallowing large pills.
Additionally, liquid prenatal vitamins are often gentler on the stomach and can be mixed into beverages, making them more convenient and customizable. Here are some of the key advantages they offer over other prenatal supplements:
The Ease of Taking Liquid Prenatal Vitamins
Nearly three out of ten people find it difficult to swallow pills — a condition known as dysphagia. Liquid prenatal vitamins are easier to swallow than pills, as you can simply add them to water, juice, or your favorite smoothie.
Liquid Prenatal Vitamins Are Gentler on the Stomach
Some pill supplements contain harmful additives that can cause stomach upsets. In contrast, many liquid prenatal vitamins are less likely to cause digestive issues because they don't contain additives. For instance, all our liquid prenatal vitamins use organic ingredients, so you can have peace of mind they won't irritate your tummy.
Rapid Absorption with Liquid Prenatal Vitamins
Liquid prenatal vitamins are absorbed into the bloodstream faster. Compared to pills, liquid supplements don't require as much stomach acid and enzymes to break down since they're already dissolved.
Liquid Prenatal Vitamins Are Better Suited for Morning Sickness
Certain prenatal vitamins can worsen your condition if you're experiencing morning sickness and feeling nauseous. Liquid prenatal vitamins are more palatable than pills, making them ideal for women who experience morning sickness.
Top Benefits of Liquid Prenatal Vitamins
The best liquid prenatal vitamins can provide numerous benefits to both you and your unborn child. Some of the benefits of taking liquid prenatal supplements include:
Supports Healthy Neural Development
Studies show that taking prenatal vitamins, particularly those rich in folate, can significantly minimize the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida, anencephaly, and encephalocele.
Promotes Healthy Formation of Organs and Tissues
Besides reducing the risk of neural birth defects, prenatal supplements rich in folic acid can significantly reduce the risk of congenital disorders like cleft lip, cleft palate, and certain heart conditions.
Supports Blood Pressure and Circulatory Health
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy disorder that causes high blood pressure, excess protein in urine, and swollen limbs. In some cases, it can even lead to more serious health complications such as strokes, seizures, or organ failure.
Taking prenatal supplements that contain magnesium can prevent eclampsia — a severe type of preeclampsia that causes seizures.
Helps Prevent Iron-Deficiency Anemia
Women require roughly 18 milligrams (mg) of iron daily. However, expectant women require about twice as much iron. Unlike women who aren't pregnant, pregnant women require more iron to support the developing fetus and placenta.
Taking prenatal iron supplements can support a healthy pregnancy and prevent iron-deficiency anemia — a condition that can cause fatigue, poor concentration, and shortness of breath.
Encourages Full-Term Pregnancy
Liquid prenatal vitamins can prevent preterm births — births that occur before the 37 weeks of pregnancy. In particular, studies show that taking supplements with DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid) can lower the risk of preterm labor.
Boosts Energy and Mood
Pregnancy can take a toll on the body and cause pregnancy fatigue. Taking prenatal liquid vitamins rich in B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin C, magnesium, and iron can boost your energy levels and elevate your mood.
Supports Bone Health During Pregnancy
Consuming enough calcium can lower your risk of developing high blood pressure and preeclampsia. Additionally, getting enough calcium can prevent your developing body from drawing calcium from your bones, which can adversely impact your health. Taking prenatal calcium supplements can prevent calcium deficiency during pregnancy.
Promotes Strong Bone Development to Guard Against Rickets
Babies born to mothers with severe vitamin D and calcium deficiency are at a high risk of being born with rickets. Rickets is a condition that affects bone growth and development, resulting in bone pain, skeletal deformities, and fragile bones. Consuming prenatal supplements with vitamin D and calcium can significantly minimize the risk of your child contracting rickets.
Supports Infant Health and Well-Being
Congenital disabilities, preterm births, and maternal pregnancy complications are some of the leading causes of infant mortality. Prenatal supplementation can prevent these issues, lowering the risk of infant mortality.
Fortifies Immune Health During Pregnancy
Immunity changes during pregnancy. When you're pregnant, your immune system is suppressed to prevent your body from rejecting the fetus. This makes you more vulnerable to catching infections such as colds, flu, and other diseases. Prenatal liquid vitamins are packed with nutrients that can boost immunity during pregnancy, such as vitamins A, C, D, and zinc.
Supports Blood Sugar Balance
Pregnant women are susceptible to gestational diabetes (GDM) — a unique form of diabetes that causes elevated blood sugar levels during pregnancy. Taking vitamin D prenatal vitamins may prevent gestational diabetes, though studies are inconclusive.
Ensures Comprehensive Nutrient Intake
While taking a well-balanced diet can provide all the essential nutrients required for a healthy pregnancy, it might not suffice. Liquid vitamins for pregnant women are specially designed to provide all the essential nutrients required for good maternal and fetal health.
For example, our Prenatal/Postnatal Multivitamin with DHA has all the vital nutrients necessary for a healthy pregnancy, such as B vitamins, vitamins A, C, D, E, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and more.
Key Nutrients to Look for in a Liquid Prenatal Vitamins
Not all liquid supplements for pregnant women are created equal. When looking for a liquid prenatal vitamin, here are the key nutrients to look for:
Folic Acid
Folic acid, also known as folate or vitamin B9, is integral to a healthy pregnancy because it prevents congenital complications, such as spina bifida or anencephaly.
Look for a liquid prenatal vitamin that has at least 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid to support your pregnancy.
Iron
Iron supports the production of hemoglobin, which helps deliver blood and oxygen to the fetus. Since pregnant women require up to twice as much iron than women who aren't pregnant, supplementation is crucial.
Look for a liquid prenatal vitamin that has at least 30 mg of iron to prevent iron-deficiency anemia.
Calcium
Calcium is vital to the growth and development of your child's bones and teeth. If you don't get enough calcium, your child will draw calcium from your bones, resulting in temporary bone loss.
Look for a liquid prenatal vitamin rich in calcium to prevent reduced bone density.
Vitamin D
Like calcium, vitamin D is crucial to bone and teeth development because it promotes calcium absorption. Look for a liquid prenatal supplement with vitamin D, preferably one also with calcium.
DHA
DHA is integral to your baby's brain and eye development. Additionally, pregnant women who take supplements with high doses of DHA are less likely to have preterm births.
Look for a liquid prenatal vitamin rich in DHA, particularly if you don't consume fish.
Iodine
Many pregnant women don't consume enough iodine during pregnancy because iodine requirements increase by more than 50% during pregnancy. Yet, iodine is essential to the development of your baby's nervous system.
Look for a liquid prenatal vitamin with iodine, especially if you don't take seafood, dairy products, or eggs.
Choline
Many liquid supplements for pregnant women don't contain choline. Yet, multiple studies suggest that the nutrient might play a huge role in promoting child brain development and preventing neural birth defects.
When and How to Take Liquid Prenatal Vitamins
You should start taking a daily prenatal vitamin at least one month before pregnancy and during the first three months after pregnancy, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
In addition, here are some other tips to remember when taking pregnancy supplements for the first trimester:
Enhance Your Maternal Health With Quality Liquid Prenatal Vitamins
Liquid prenatal vitamins offer numerous health benefits. They can reduce the risk of multiple maternal and fetal complications, enhance immunity, and address nutritional deficiencies.
Ready to experience these benefits? At Liquid Health, we offer a variety of prenatal vitamins that are 100% vegan, free from artificial ingredients, gluten-free, cruelty-free, and third-party tested, so you can rest assured you're getting supplements that meet the highest quality standards.
Shop now and get free standard shipping for orders above $75.
FAQs
Are Liquid Prenatal Vitamins Better Than Pills?
Liquid prenatal vitamins offer several benefits over other supplement forms like pills, powders, and gummies. They're easier to swallow, absorbed faster, and gentler on the stomach. They're also ideal for women with morning sickness because they're more palatable compared to pills.
When Should I Start Taking Liquid Prenatal Vitamins?
Healthcare experts recommend starting a liquid prenatal vitamin supplement regimen at least a month before pregnancy.
What Are the Most Important Nutrients for Pregnancy?
While it's essential to take a diet rich in all nutrients during pregnancy, some of the most vital nutrients during pregnancy include folic acid, iron, calcium, DHA, iodine, choline, vitamin D, and B vitamins.
Do Liquid Prenatal Vitamins Have Side Effects?
Liquid prenatal vitamins are generally safe for consumption if consumed under the advice of a physician. However, some prenatal vitamins can cause gastrointestinal issues, particularly those containing iron.
Should I Opt for Organic Liquid Prenatal Vitamins?
Organic liquid prenatal vitamins are made entirely from natural ingredients and don't contain artificial binders, sweeteners, or preservatives. If you're concerned about buying vitamins that may contain potentially toxic additives, you'll want to opt for an organic liquid prenatal vitamin.