Ohrenberger School

Just picking up some ordinary vitamins at the drugstore is not enough for a healthy pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins contain important nutrients in stronger dosages than regular multivitamin supplements (even those formulated for women). Here is a look at what prenatal vitamins should contain and the benefit of each ingredient for new mother.

Prenatal Vitamin Ingredients

Folic Acid

Folic acid is the most commonly prescribed prenatal supplement for the months prior to becoming pregnant and, once pregnant, it is essential for the health and growth of the baby, especially for brain functions.

The March of Dimes reports that birth defects of the spine, skull, and brain, such as spina bifida and anencephaly, are more likely to occur if the mother does not get sufficient folic acid during the first few weeks of her pregnancy – even before she knows she is pregnant.

Calcium

Calcium supplementation is so important during pregnancy. A good prenatal vitamin should include calcium, which is necessary for a healthy pregnancy and baby. Low dietary intake of calcium is associated with increased risk of preeclampsia (pregnancy-induced hypertension, urine protein loss and swelling around the ankles).

In the last trimester of pregnancy, skeletal growth is highest and the fetus draws calcium directly from the mother’s stores. In addition, clinical trials have shown that adequate calcium during pregnancy lowers blood pressure and may reduce the incidence of premature births.

Magnesium

Magnesium promotes the health of bones and may help maintain normal blood pressure and muscle comfort during pregnancy. Magnesium promotes the health of bones (64% of the body’s magnesium is concentrated in the bones). It supports normal bone structure and plays an essential role in more than 300 cellular reactions.

Iron

Iron is recommended to prevent the mother suffering from anemia due to the demands that the baby puts on her iron consumption. Iron is an important mineral and is responsible for helping the mother and the baby’s blood to carry oxygen. Iron deficiencies can lead to severe birth defects for the baby.

Vitamin A

Adequate amounts of vitamin A help to promote the health of the baby by promoting normal growth and development of the embryo and fetus, and supporting genes that determine the sequential development of organs in embryonic development. Beta-carotene is a nutrient from plants that the body converts into vitamin A.

Vitamin C

The female body’s requirement for vitamin C increases during pregnancy as this vitamin promotes the normal growth of the baby and supports building strong bones and teeth. Vitamin C promotes normal tissue repair and healing. It also supports the absorption of another key nutrient during pregnancy: iron.

Vitamin D

New research from the Boston University School of Medicine is recommending higher intakes of vitamin D as so many are deficient. The women’s levels of vitamin D were related to the frequency of milk consumption and prenatal vitamin use.

B-Vitamins

Increased vitamin B6 levels can boost immunities needed after pregnancy and sufficient B6 has been shown to provide infant growth advantages. This B- vitamin can prevent neural tube defects when taken early in pregnancy, especially during the first trimester.

B1 and B2 are water-soluble vitamins that support the body’s ability to process carbohydrates, fat, and protein. This helps with the energy requirements and production increase in pregnancy.

Pantothenic acid, also called vitamin B5, is a water-soluble vitamin that helps to regulate your body’s adrenal activity and antibody production. If you are pregnant and don’t get enough B5, your baby’s growth may be slowed.

Vitamin B6 is the master vitamin for processing amino acids – the building blocks of all proteins and some hormones, which is vital to your fetus’s developing brain and nervous system.

Vitamin B12 (consumed during pregnancy) promotes the health and normal nerve function of the baby.

Biotin

Women have an increased requirement for biotin during pregnancy, and a biotin deficiency may occur in as many as 50 percent of pregnant women. This deficiency may increase the risk of birth defects. The fetus pulls so much of the nutrients from the mother’s diet; therefore, it is important that she consumes enough biotin.

Zinc

Increased zinc levels can boost immunities needed after pregnancy. Zinc supports normal growth and development during pregnancy. Zinc is an essential mineral that is a component of more than 300 enzymes that support normal healing, fertility in adults and growth in children, protein synthesis, cell reproduction, vision, immune function, and protection against free radicals, among other functions.

Prenatal vitamins can be taken after pregnancy to provide a well-balanced supplementation program. With a mother’s hectic schedule and lack of time, prenatal vitamins are a perfect choice for an after pregnancy supplement regimen.

The correct prenatal vitamins are essential for a healthy pregnancy and baby. Doing your research on prenatal vitamins can be very rewarding and time well spent to ensure an easy and successful pregnancy. Researchers at the University of Maryland have noticed that many commonly prescribed prenatal vitamins do not dissolve well resulting in insufficient absorption of the nutrients.

Many dentists call themselves extreme makeover dentists. What does this mean? What does it take to be an extreme makeover dentist?

Certainly, the dentists appearing on ABC’s Extreme Makeover are talented dentists that likely have this advanced dental capability. But, how are they qualified? Who ascertains their ability as a dentist… producers or filmmakers?How about the dental lab service of ABC’s Extreme Makeover, da vinci labs?

The owners of da vinci dental laboratory had the ability to send their mother to any of the television extreme makeover dentists, but they did not. They chose a talented South Florida dentist, Dr. Charles Nottingham.

The Extreme Makeover Dental Lab said the following about Dr. Nottingham:

“…your preparations and impressions exceed perfection [for our Mother]… If the Extreme Makeover show was filmed in Florida, I am sure you would be the providing dentist.”

I believe this is a very high standard and certainly puts Dr. Nottingham in the same category as the extreme makeover dentists on television. Besides performing the restorative dental work for da vinci’s mother, Dr. Nottingham has treated heads of state, professional athletes, business professionals, and even foster children.Dr. Nottingham graduated New York University (NYU) Dental School and obtained a fellowship from the Academy of General Dentistry. Shortly after graduating dental school, Dr. Nottingham completed his post graduate training at the Pankey Institute.

Dr. Nottingham is the lead cosmetic dentist for Smile South Florida Cosmetic Dentistry. He continues to raise the standards of dental care for himself, his staff, and the entire dental community.

Smile South Florida’s mission is to be the number #1 dental practice in South Florida with respect to quality and service.The best way to judge whether a dentist really meets the level of an extreme makeover dentist, rather than just provide the title, is look at the dentist’s before and after photographs. Dr. Nottingham’s cases have been featured in Dentistry Today and Contemporary Esthetics. Here are the featured cases:

In conclusion, an extreme makeover dentist is one who has an advanced level of dental education and experience, third party accolades and accomplishments, and beautiful before and after photos.