title: Prenatal vitamins: what is in the bottle?
abstract: Nearly all obstetricians routinely prescribe prenatal vitamins to their pregnant patients at the time of the first prenatal visit. Many times, patients' understanding of the health benefits of prenatal vitamins differs substantially from that of the prescribing physician. The following is a review of the most common ingredients found in prenatal vitamins and their purported health benefits.
authors.affiliation: Board Certified OB/GYN and Maternal Fetal Medicine, Partner, Specialty Obstetrics of San Diego.
authors.forename: Norman B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Duerbeck
authors.affiliation: Board Certified OB/GYN and Maternal Fetal Medicine, Partner, Specialty Obstetrics of San Diego; Perinatologist, Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns.
authors.forename: David D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Dowling
authors.affiliation: Active Obstetrical Nurse, Locum Tenums, San Diego, CA.
authors.forename: Jillinda M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Duerbeck
mesh_terms: D001361:Avitaminosis / Q000150:complications; D002118:Calcium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000172:deficiency / Q000502:physiology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care; D014815:Vitamins / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D019266:Iron, Dietary; D014815:Vitamins; D015032:Zinc; D002118:Calcium