Geritol for Pregnancy

In pregnancy, specially formulated prenatal vitamins containing high levels of folic acid and iron have been shown to have a positive impact on the health and development of a fetus when taken prior to as well as during pregnancy. 

Geritol is a multivitamin intended for use as a nutritional supplement and has not been found to have any effect on fertility or the health of a pregnancy. In this article we shall be discussing how Geritol supplements support a healthy pregnancy, from iron deficiency prevention, to fetal development. 

What Is Geritol?

Geritol is a multivitamin formulated to address vitamin deficiencies that stem from a variety of causes. It has also been recommended for use during pregnancy. It contains a multitude of vitamins and minerals, is packaged in both liquid and gel cap form, and has various formulations designed to address specific needs, such as poor nutrition or low energy. 

Geritol and Pregnancy

The internet can be misleading when it comes to health matters. A claim that Geritol vitamins can somehow increase fertility, leading to pregnancy, is one such example of misinformation. There is no scientific evidence to support this claim. It also does not make much sense that Geritol would increase fertility in ways that other over-the-counter multivitamins would not.

People who are pregnant or who wish to become pregnant, under the guidance of a professional healthcare provider, should take multivitamins. In fact the National Institutes of Health encourages pregnant people to take multivitamins, particularly those with a poor-quality diet, or who smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol.

Further, the manufacturers of Geritol explicitly state there is no evidence that their product has any effect on fertility, discouraging the use of their product as a substitute for a doctor-recommended prenatal vitamin.

Geritol Vitamins Vs. Prenatal Vitamins

Prenatal vitamins are specially formulated for people who are pregnant or who are trying to conceive. They generally contain higher levels of certain nutrients, like iron and folic acid compared to standard multivitamins like Geritol.

Folic Acid

Folic acid is a vitamin that plays an important role in preventing neural tube defects. The neural tube is what eventually develops into the brain and spinal cord. A defect in the neural tube has negative effects in development of the fetus. 

It is recommended that a prenatal vitamin routine, which includes folic acid, should begin at least three months before trying to get pregnant, to ensure that the body has enough of the vitamin to support healthy development.

Iron

Iron is a nutrient that is critical to fetal development. It helps the body to produce oxygen-rich blood for the fetus and placenta. Iron also prevents the pregnant person from becoming anemic, a form of iron deficiency that is more common during pregnancy.

The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynacology states that low levels of iron can lead to a low birthweight or premature delivery. Low iron levels also have a negative impact on brain development in the fetus, leading to abnormal brain structure or conditions such as autism.

While typical multivitamins might have some amount of these vitamins and minerals, prenatal vitamins are formulated with higher doses to ensure the body gets a sufficient supply to support both its daily needs alongside a healthy pregnancy.

Risk of Prenatal Vitamins

Just as claims about Geritol being good for pregnancy exist, many people incorrectly believe prenatal vitamins have some sort of special benefits for those who are neither pregnant nor trying to become pregnant. 

Some claims are that prenatal vitamins can cause hair and nails to grow longer or thicker, or that there is some sort of energy-boosting property in prenatal vitamins that is lacking in regular multivitamins. These claims could potentially be harmful in the long run if acted upon, because the overconsumption of iron and folic acid can have some unpleasant side effects over time.

Excessive folic acid intake can compound the negative side effects of vitamin B12 deficiency, which include weakness, nausea, weight loss, irritability, and fatigue. Whereas excessive iron consumption can cause digestive issues, and nausea and interfere with the body’s ability to process zinc.

Besides the risks, the use of prenatal vitamins is simply unnecessary for those who are not pregnant. A healthy, balanced diet should sufficiently provide the vitamins and minerals the body needs to function properly, and nutritionally poor diets can be easily supplemented with a daily multivitamin, rather than specialized vitamins formulated for pregnant individuals.

Bottom Line

Vitamins and minerals are crucial to a healthy diet, and being aware of the nutritional value of food and supplements is even more important while pregnant. 

Whereas certain prenatal vitamins can be beneficial for those who are trying to get pregnant or who have already conceived, there is no evidence that Geritol or any other brand of regular multivitamins have any effect on fertility or pregnancy.

If you have more questions about vitamins and nutrition during pregnancy, contact us at Nevada Fertility Center. We offer a wide range of reproductive health services at various locations across the country.