Prenatal Pop Quiz: 10 Vitamin Questions

Prenatal vitamins are an important part of a healthy pregnancy. But do they cause weight gain? Or make your hair grow long? Test your knowledge with this true-or-false prenatal vitamin quiz.

Prenatal vitamins are just like a multivitamin.

• False. What makes a prenatal vitamin different from a regular multivitamin is the higher levels of folic acid and iron concentrations. 

You should take prenatal vitamins before you get pregnant.  

• True. Anyone considering a pregnancy should start taking a prenatal vitamin 1-2 months prior to conceiving. If you didn’t start one before you became pregnant, start as soon as you find out you are pregnant.

You don’t have to eat a healthy diet if you take prenatal vitamins.

• False. Prenatal vitamins are intended to supplement a healthy dietary intake. They can provide many, but not all, of the extra vitamins and minerals needed during pregnancy.

Prenatal tablets and gummies are the same.

• False. Tablets are preferred over gummy vitamins. Gummies may not contain all the necessary ingredients of a tablet, such as iron. However, if tablets are not tolerated, gummies may be an alternative.

Prenatal vitamins can cause stomach upset.

• True. To decrease stomach upset, try taking your prenatal vitamin at night.

Everyone should take prenatal vitamins.

• False. Prenatal vitamins are not intended for people who are not pregnant, not breastfeeding, or who do not intend to be pregnant. Certain ingredients in a prenatal vitamin, such as iron, can cause unwanted side effects, including constipation.

You should keep taking prenatal vitamins after giving birth.

• True. Taking a prenatal vitamin all the way through pregnancy and while you are breastfeeding or pumping is recommended. If you choose to formula feed, continue taking a prenatal vitamin for at least 6 weeks after delivery to assist your body in recovery.

Prenatal vitamins make your hair and nails grow.

• Partially true. Prenatal vitamins only help improve your hair or nails if you are deficient in those specific vitamins which provide nutrition to nails and hair follicles.

Prenatal vitamins cause weight gain.

• False. There is no evidence that a prenatal vitamin will cause you to gain weight, nor help you to lose it.

Prenatal vitamins have caffeine for energy.

• False. There is no caffeine in prenatal vitamins; however, some women feel they may give them more energy to complete daily tasks. This may be due to receiving specific nutrients they are low in or lacking, particularly B vitamins. 

If you have any questions about prenatal vitamins, talk to your provider.