Taking prenatal vitamins after a rape, even if you’re not pregnant, can have both psychological and physiologicalreasons. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Psychological reasons:

• Control and preparation: After trauma, you might feel a need to “prepare for the worst” or take proactive steps for health, even if pregnancy isn’t confirmed. Prenatal vitamins can feel like a way to protect yourself and regain control.
• Symbolic protection: Prenatal vitamins are strongly associated with nurturing a baby. Taking them could symbolically represent care for yourself, or for a potential life, as a way to process trauma.
• Managing anxiety: Trauma can create lingering fears about consequences like pregnancy. Taking vitamins may feel like an action you can take, reducing anxiety.

2. Physiological reasons:

• General nutritional benefits: Prenatal vitamins contain folic acid, iron, and other nutrients that support overall health, not just pregnancy. Your body may benefit even if you’re not pregnant.
• Habitual reassurance: Sometimes, trauma triggers rituals or routines that make your nervous system feel safer. Taking vitamins can become one of these small, reassuring routines.

In short, even without pregnancy, taking prenatal vitamins after rape can be a mix of seeking control, comfort, and protection, and unintentionally reinforcing self-care through symbolism.