pregnant woman and her growing child need a special combination of vitamins to keep mother and child nutritionally healthy. Prenatal vitamins and minerals are designed to provide adequate nutrition for the couple. Prenatal vitamins and minerals in particular contain folic acid, iron and calcium – all of which are especially important for a pregnant woman. Folic acid has been shown to reduce the risk of birth defects. An unborn child depends on its nutrition from the mother, and if there is not enough calcium in the system, the fetus can leach calcium from the mother’s bones, causing a decrease in bone density. Iron is important for blood circulation and oxygen delivery to both mother and baby.