Geritol for Pregnancy

Prenatal vitamins that have high levels of folic acid and iron, when taken before and during a pregnancy, have been observed to have a positive effect on a fetus’ health as it develops. 

Geritol has been said to be good for prenatal development even though it is formulated as a general multivitamin nutritional supplement, rather than a prenatal vitamin. Let us look into whether Geritol can be used as a supplement to support a healthy pregnancy. 

What Is Geritol?

Geritol is a multivitamin that has been formulated to specifically deal with vitamin deficiencies caused by varied factors. As a multivitamin, it has been recommended for use in pregnancy due to its variety of vitamins and minerals. It comes in liquid as well as gel cap form, and is formulated in various blends to address specific issues such as poor nutrition or low energy. 

Geritol and Pregnancy

There is a popular claim on the internet that Geritol vitamins can increase fertility, causing one to become pregnant much more quickly. No scientific evidence exists to support this claim. Further, it does not explain why Geritol in particular would affect fertility in ways that other similar  over-the-counter multivitamins would not.

Of note is that the manufacturers of Geritol themselves state that no evidence exists to show that their product has any impact on fertility. They also discourage using their product as a substitute for a prenatal vitamin recommended by a professional healthcare provider.

Multivitamins are good for a person’s health, and should ideally be taken with the guidance of a professional healthcare provider. If one wants to become, or is already pregnant, they should take multivitamins especially if they have a poor quality diet, drink alcohol, or smoke cigarettes. 

Geritol Vitamins Vs. Prenatal Vitamins

Prenatal vitamins contain higher levels of nutrients like iron and folic acid which are critical for people who are pregnant or who are trying to conceive. Standard multivitamins like Geritol are formulated for day to day use and they do not necessarily contain the levels of folic acid and iron required for pregnancy.

Folic Acid

Folic acid is a vitamin that prevents neural tube defects. To be clear, the neural tube is what eventually becomes the brain and spinal cord. It follows then that any defect in the neural tube has a  negative impact in the development of the fetus. 

For this crucial reason, it is typically recommended that a prenatal vitamin routine that includes folic acid begin at least three months before trying to conceive. This ensures that the body has a sufficient supply to support healthy development.

Iron

Iron is also very critical to pregnancy, having a negative impact on both mother and child if there is a deficiency of the nutrient. 

On the child, if iron levels are low, it can lead to low birthweight, and poor brain development in the fetus. When the brain is not properly developed, it can cause abnormal brain structure or conditions such as autism. 

For the mother, iron helps the body to produce oxygen-rich blood for the placenta as well as the fetus. It also keeps the mother from becoming anemic, which is more common during pregnancy. Low iron levels can also lead to premature delivery.

Usually multivitamins might have some amount of iron and folic acid, but prenatal vitamins contain higher amounts to ensure there is a sufficient supply for both mother and child during pregnancy.

Risk of Prenatal Vitamins

Alongside claims about Geritol being good for pregnancy, are claims that  prenatal vitamins have a special property which is not found in regular multivitamins, that causes hair and nails to grow longer or thicker, and boost energy. 

Caution must be exercised before acting on these claims as one is likely to experience unexpected, unpleasant side effects, and this is why: too much folic acid can complicate the negative side effects of vitamin B12 deficiency. These include fatigue, weakness, nausea, weight loss and irritability. Again, too much iron  causes digestive issues, nausea and interferes with the body’s natural ability to process zinc.

The use of prenatal vitamins is not necessary if you are not pregnant. Any vitamins and minerals the body requires in order to function properly can easily be acquired from a healthy, balanced diet. In the event one has a nutritionally poor diet, under the guidance of a healthcare professional, one can supplement their diet with a daily multivitamin.

Bottom Line

Vitamins and minerals are crucial to a healthy diet. Prenatal vitamins are beneficial for people trying to get pregnant or who are already pregnant. There is no evidence to support claims that Geritol or any other type of regular multivitamins has an impact on either fertility or pregnancy.

If you have any further queries regarding nutrition during pregnancy, contact Nevada Center For Reproductive Medicine. We have a wide range of reproductive health services at various locations across the country to support your family building journey.