Why It Takes 90 Days for Prenatal Multivitamins to Work

Understanding the 90-Day Timeline

When you start taking prenatal multivitamins, your body needs time to absorb and utilize the nutrients effectively. Typically, it takes about 90 days to see the full benefits¹. This timeline aligns with the natural cycle of egg maturation and early fetal development. Here’s a closer look at how long it takes for each key vitamin to be absorbed and how it benefits pregnancy and fetal health.

Key Vitamins and Their Benefits

1. Omega-3 DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid)

Absorption Time: 2-4 weeks
Benefits: DHA is crucial for the development of the baby’s brain and eyes. Adequate levels in the mother’s body support cognitive and visual development in the fetus².

2. Collagen

Absorption Time: 4-6 weeks
Benefits: Collagen supports the development of the baby’s skin, bones, and joints. It also helps maintain the mother’s skin elasticity and reduces the risk of stretch marks.

3. Folate (Vitamin B9)

Absorption Time: 1-2 weeks
Benefits: Folate is essential for preventing neural tube defects. It supports DNA synthesis and cell division, critical during the early stages of fetal development³.

4. Vitamin E

Absorption Time: 2-3 weeks
Benefits: Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage. It supports immune function and skin health for both mother and baby⁴.

5. Vitamin B12

Absorption Time: 1-2 weeks
Benefits: Vitamin B12 is vital for red blood cell formation and neurological function. It helps prevent anemia in the mother and supports the baby’s nervous system development.

6. Iron

Absorption Time: 3-4 weeks
Benefits: Iron is crucial for making hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood. It prevents anemia in the mother and ensures adequate oxygen supply to the fetus.

7. Magnesium

Absorption Time: 3-4 weeks
Benefits: Magnesium supports muscle and nerve function, bone development, and energy production. It helps prevent preterm labor and aids in the development of the baby’s bones and teeth⁵.

8. Zinc

Absorption Time: 2-3 weeks
Benefits: Zinc is essential for DNA synthesis, cell division, and immune function. It supports the growth and development of the fetus and helps prevent complications during pregnancy⁶.

9. Omega-3 EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid)

Absorption Time: 2-4 weeks
Benefits: EPA, like DHA, is important for brain and eye development. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that support overall maternal health.

10. Vitamin A

Absorption Time: 3-4 weeks
Benefits: Vitamin A is crucial for fetal growth, particularly for the development of the heart, lungs, kidneys, eyes, and bones. It also supports the immune system.

11. Vitamin D

Absorption Time: 2-3 weeks
Benefits: Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption, promoting healthy bone development in the fetus. It also supports immune function and may reduce the risk of preeclampsia.

12. Vitamin K

Absorption Time: 1-2 weeks
Benefits: Vitamin K is necessary for blood clotting and bone metabolism. It helps prevent bleeding disorders in the newborn and supports maternal bone health.

What to Expect Over Three Months

First Month: If you’re trying to conceive, the first month of taking prenatal vitamins is about building up nutrient reserves in your body to support healthy egg development. If you’re already pregnant, this month focuses on ensuring your body is absorbing the vital nutrients needed for early fetal development.
Second Month: For those trying to conceive, nutrients continue to support egg quality and overall reproductive health. If pregnant, vitamins are actively aiding the development of critical fetal structures like the neural tube.
Third Month: By now, whether you're conceiving or already pregnant, your body has fully integrated the benefits of the vitamins, giving you the best nutrient support. For those pregnant, your baby is fully benefiting from essential nutrients, which is critical as major organs continue to develop.

Continued Supplementation for Optimal Results

Ongoing Nutrient Supply: To maintain optimal health for both mother and baby, it’s crucial to continue taking prenatal vitamins consistently. Your body continuously needs these nutrients to support the ongoing development of the fetus and prepare for childbirth.
Preventing Deficiencies: Continuous supplementation helps prevent nutrient deficiencies that could harm both you and your baby, such as anemia, preeclampsia, gestational conditions, preterm birth, and fetal neural tube defects. Vitamins like folate, iron, and DHA are vital throughout the entire pregnancy to support the baby’s growth and development.

Importance of Starting Early

Building Up Nutrient Levels: Starting prenatal vitamins 90 days before conception ensures your body has built up a sufficient supply of essential nutrients. This preparation is crucial because the early weeks of pregnancy are vital for the baby’s development, and you may not even know you're pregnant during this time.
Folate for Early Development: Folate is especially important in the first 8 weeks of fetal development to prevent neural tube defects. Since pregnancy is often undetected for the first 5-6 weeks, having an adequate supply of folate beforehand can significantly reduce the risk of developmental issues.
Other Key Vitamins During Early Development: During the first 8 weeks of pregnancy, as the baby's major organs like the brain, heart, and spinal cord begin to form, DHA, Vitamin A, and Iron are also crucial. DHA supports brain and eye development, Vitamin A is essential for the heart, lungs, and kidneys, and Iron is key for blood formation. These nutrients are vital during these critical early weeks when pregnancy often goes undetected.

BabyRx Prenatal Supplements

BabyRx Prenatal Complete+ is a comprehensive supplement designed to support a healthy pregnancy and fetal development from the very start. It provides all 20 critical nutrients recommended by the American Pregnancy Association like folate, iron, and DHA in just 2 pills. It is also the first OBGYN-approved prenatal, where each ingredient is supported by clinical studies, showing significant improvements to mother and baby health. By taking these supplements consistently, you’re giving your baby the best foundation for a healthy start.

Taking prenatal multivitamins is a proactive step in ensuring a healthy pregnancy and optimal fetal development. Understanding the absorption timeline and the role of each vitamin can help you appreciate the importance of starting supplementation early and maintaining consistency. Remember, the right nutrients at the right time can make a significant difference in your pregnancy journey and the development of your growing baby.

Sources:

Mayo Clinic, Prenatal Vitamins, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/prenatal-vitamins/art-20046945
Irene Cetin et al., Omega-3 in pregnancy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.101251
ACOG, Nutrition During Pregnancy, https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/nutrition-during-pregnancy
James Adams et al., Optimal Prenatal Supplement, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40748-022-00139-9
Vani Shukla et al., Micronutrient Interactions: Magnesium, https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.4316
Sehar Iqbal et al., Effect of maternal zinc, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07540