Question: Do prenatal vitamins cause weight gain?
I am a personal trainer at a corporate fitness center and had a question about prenatal vitamins. One of my pregnant clients mentioned that when talking to some friends they all stated that they gained weight through the upper, thighs, and
lower abs. She thought that the vitamins were "getting them ready" for pregnancy. I told her that there would be no connection between the vitamins and weight gain but she was convinced. I think it is psychosomatic, any thoughts?
Laura - About.com User
Answer: Prenatal vitamins are very important for a healthy pregnancy, especially folic acid. Folic acid is a supplemental form of a B vitamin called folate that will reduce the risk of spina bifida in the baby. Prenatal vitamins don't have any calories and don't contribute the the weight gain of pregnancy.
Many women gain fat around the hips, buttocks and abdomen during pregnancy. That is the way our bodies are made and it is perfectly normal, and prenatal vitamins have nothing to do with it. A pregnant women needs to gain around 15-25 pounds during a normal pregnancy.
Reassure your client that prenatal vitamins are important, they don't cause weight gain and a healthy post-partum diet and exercise program will take all of those pounds off after her baby is born.
