Prenatal Supplements

摘要

Prenatal supplements are a critical component of health care during pregnancy. Pregnant patients may ask the pharmacist if these supplements are necessary and request information on specific nutrients. Pharmacists should be aware of the vitamins and minerals that are most important during pregnancy and be able to offer advice on other dietary supplements that may be harmful to a developing fetus. Necessity for Prenatal Supplements Patients may ask pharmacists whether there is an actual need to take prenatal supplements. Various governmental Web sites offer justifications for taking prenatal supplements, presenting them in terms pharmacists can use when explaining the issue to pregnant patients.1'2 When doing so, pharmacists can refute several misconceptions.