Geritol for Pregnancy

When a person intends on becoming pregnant, it is recommended that they begin taking prenatal vitamins which contain high levels of iron and folic acid. Taking these supplements as well during pregnancy has a positive impact on the physiological development of the baby. The prenatal vitamins are not the same as regular multivitamins and are formulated for use in pregnancy.

When a person has a diet that is poor in nutritional value, or perhaps has a condition that inhibits the body from properly ingesting nutrients from food, doctors may recommend a nutritional supplement like a multivitamin. Geritol is a multivitamin whose use has come into controversial discussion, having been rumored to facilitate conception. In this article we shall be looking into Geritol and its connection, if any, to pregnancy. 

What Is Geritol?

Multivitamins are formulated to tackle issues, conditions, or diseases that result in vitamin deficiencies in the body. Geritol is a brand of multivitamins that are distributed in two forms, liquid and gel capsules. It also has a variety of formulations to address a variety of specific issues. 

When a person is pregnant, they may experience low energy levels and poor nutrition as the body undergoes the various changes. Since Geritol has a very wide variety of minerals and vitamins, people will experience higher energy levels as well as improved well-being when they take it, due to the improved nutrition. 

Geritol and Pregnancy

When it comes to Geritol and pregnancy, one claim is that if a person who wants to get pregnant takes Geritol regularly, it will increase their fertility, enabling them to become pregnant faster than a person who was not taking the multivitamin regularly. Apart from not having any scientific backing, this claim does not explain why it is Geritol in particular, and not any other multivitamin that is capable of this feat. 

Although there are many brands of over-the-counter multivitamins, they should not be taken without the guidance of a healthcare provider. In addition, when pregnant, the use of multivitamins should be based on a previously existing poor diet, use of nicotine and tobacco products, as well as alcohol, which cause the body to have insufficient nutrients to sustain itself. 

Multivitamins however are never to be used as a substitute for prenatal vitamins. Of note is that the manufacturer of the multivitamin Geritol have stated that the is no evidence demonstrating the impact of their product on a person’s fertility, advising against the use of the multivitamin as a substitute for prenatal vitamins that have been prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Geritol Vitamins Vs. Prenatal Vitamins

In this section we shall address the differences between Geritol and prenatal vitamins, it is important to know the differences in formulation in order to understand why the two cannot be used interchangeably. 

The primary difference between the two is the levels of folic acid and iron contained in prenatal vitamins, which is significantly higher than the levels found in multivitamins. The reason for this higher level is that folic acid and iron prepare the uterus to carry a pregnancy to term. They are also key in the foundational development of a fetus.

Folic Acid

Folic acid is a mineral that prevents defects in a fetus’ neural tube. This is crucial as the neural tube is what eventually develops into the brain and spinal cord. Defects in the neural can lead to a child being born with paralysis in their lower body, learning disabilities, or even death of the fetus. 

Doctors typically recommend that a person begin taking prenatal vitamins at least three months before they become pregnant. The reason for this is to build a sufficient reserve of these crucial nutrients, which will then support healthy development as the fetus grows in the womb.

Iron

Iron is the key nutrient that helps the body to produce enough oxygen for the cells. It is crucial for both mother and child to have a sufficient supply of both for both their sakes. A lack of proper oxygenation of cells leads to poor health for the mother and developmental complexities for the child. 

For the child, when iron is insufficient, it causes poor brain development while still in the womb, as well as a low birthweight. When a child’s brain is not properly developed, it could result in an abnormal structure which inhibits certain aspects of physical development, as well, it could lead to conditions such as autism. 

For the mother, iron helps her body to produce richly oxygenated blood not just for her child but for the placenta, which supports the very existence of the child when it is developing in the womb. Insufficient iron in her body would lead to anemia which in turn can lead to a premature delivery. 

Now, while multivitamins are formulated with some level of both folic acid and iron, the formulation is not targeted to support pregnancy. This means that the levels in multivitamin are not likely to supply both mother and child sufficiently throughout the pregnancy. 

Risk of Prenatal Vitamins

While on one hand Geritol has been rumoured to improve fertility, it has been suggested that prenatal vitamins contain some unique element that improves a person’s appearance, namely, longer nails, thicker hair and higher energy levels. It is important to consider that stronger or faster growing nails, thicker hair and that general glow the skin gets has more to do with the changes in the hormones in the body, than with taking prenatal vitamins. 

The challenge is that, when one takes prenatal vitamins when they are not pregnant or even trying to become pregnant, it could lead to some unpleasant and sometimes unexpected side effects. An excess of iron for example can result in problems with the digestive tract, nausea, and prevent the body from processing zinc as it should. Again, folic acid excess complicates the side effects of vitamin B12 deficiency, leading to weakness, nausea, fatigue, weight loss, and even irritability.

If you are already consuming a healthy, balanced and nutrient rich diet, your body will have a sufficient supply of all the minerals and vitamins it requires. The use of multivitamin supplements should thus only be used under the direction of a professional healthcare provider. So if you are not trying to become pregnant, or already pregnant, there is no need to take prenatal vitamins. 

In Conclusion

Geritol is a multivitamin formulated to supply the body with vitamins and minerals which are for one reason or another low or lacking in a person’s regular diet. Prenatal vitamins are only of benefit to a person who is pregnant or who is trying to conceive. Neither should be used interchangeably, or without the direction of a professional healthcare provider.

If you want to know more about nutrition during pregnancy, or would like to know ways in which you can improve your fertility, contact Los Angeles Reproductive Center. We can be found at various locations across the country. Our team of professionals is ready to support you in your family building journey.