7 Things I Hear All The Time As A Midwife - And What I Actually Tell Mums

If there's one thing I've learned after years of supporting women through pregnancy, it's this: Most mums aren't looking for perfection, they're looking for reassurance. Yet somewhere between Google, social media, well-meaning family members and endless pregnancy advice, many women end up feeling more confused than confident. So I thought I'd share seven things I hear almost every day as a midwife - and what I actually tell mums in response.

I'm overwhelmed by supplements

I completely understand. Walk into any pharmacy or search online and you'll find hundreds of products all claiming to be ‘essential’ for pregnancy. It's no wonder many women feel overwhelmed by choice. 

What I tell mums is this: 

• You don't need to take everything.
• Pregnancy nutrition doesn't have to become a full-time job. The goal isn't to build an impressive supplement collection - it's to make sure you and your baby are getting the nutrients that matter most.
• A good-quality prenatal supplement can help provide reassurance and fill nutritional gaps, especially during those weeks when eating feels difficult or unpredictable. Because let's be honest - most pregnant women aren't spending nine months eating perfectly balanced meals every day. 

To help guide you on supplements you actually need, the NurtureKit can help take some of the guesswork out of the process. Rather than wondering whether you're taking too much, too little, or the right combination of nutrients, the at-home blood test measures key nutrients including DHA and Vitamin D, giving you a clearer picture of your individual needs. 

Pregnancy isn't one-size-fits-all, and nutrient levels can vary significantly from one woman to another. For many mums, having personalised insights is both reassuring and empowering, helping them focus on the supplements that are most relevant to them instead of feeling pressured to buy everything on the shelf. 

I don't know which nutrients matter most

This is probably one of the most common questions I get. The truth is that while there are many nutrients involved in a healthy pregnancy, some deserve particular attention. Folate (or folic acid) is important before conception and during early pregnancy. Vitamin D is recommended throughout pregnancy in the UK.

Then there are nutrients such as iron, iodine, choline and omega-3 DHA, which all play important roles in supporting maternal health and your baby's development. The challenge is that many women simply don't know whether they're getting enough through diet alone. 

Rather than trying to memorise a long list of nutrients, I encourage mums to focus on the bigger picture: a varied diet where possible, alongside evidence-based supplementation that helps provide nutritional support when it's needed. 

For example, some prenatal products now include nutrients that women commonly ask me about, such as choline and iodine, while specialist omega-3 supplements like NurtureOmega are designed to provide DHA, an important omega-3 fatty acid that supports your baby's developing brain and eyes. 

I feel sick taking vitamins

First of all - you are not alone. Pregnancy nausea can make even brushing your teeth feel impossible, let alone swallowing supplements. 

Before giving up entirely, there are a few things worth trying: 

• Taking supplements with food rather than on an empty stomach. 
• Taking them later in the day if mornings are particularly difficult. 
• Splitting doses where appropriate or possible. 
• Exploring alternative formulations if one type isn't agreeing with you. 

And if you're struggling significantly, speak to your midwife or healthcare professional. Pregnancy is hard enough without feeling miserable every time you take a supplement. The answer isn't to suffer through it, it's to find an approach that works for you. 

Everyone online says different things

Welcome to pregnancy on the internet! One person says you need ten supplements, another says you need none. One influencer swears by a particular product, another tells you it's unnecessary, it can feel impossible to know who to trust. 

As a midwife, I always encourage women to come back to evidence-based information and qualified healthcare professionals. Social media can be a wonderful source of support, but it shouldn't be your only source of information. 

When advice leaves you feeling anxious, guilty or overwhelmed, that's often a sign to step back and seek guidance from trusted experts instead. Pregnancy is noisy enough already - you don't need every opinion on the internet living rent-free in your head. Cochrane database is also a great resource and they have plain language summaries. You can check data there for yourself quickly and easily.

I'm worried I'm not eating perfectly

This one breaks my heart a little because so many women carry unnecessary guilt around food during pregnancy. Perhaps you've spent weeks surviving on crackers and cereal because of sickness. Perhaps food aversions have completely changed your usual diet. Perhaps you're simply exhausted and don’t have the time or headspace to cook balanced meals every day. 

What I tell mums is this: 

• Your body is remarkably clever, and perfection is not required. 
• Of course nutrition matters. But one less-than-perfect meal - or even a difficult few weeks - does not define your pregnancy. 
• The healthiest pregnancies are not built on perfection; they're built on consistency, flexibility and self-compassion. 
• Supplements can provide additional reassurance during times when nutrition through diet alone is challenging, but they should never become another reason to judge yourself. 

Do I really need omega-3?

Omega-3, particularly DHA, is a nutrient that comes up more and more in conversations around pregnancy. DHA contributes to brain and eye development in babies, and may prevent premature birth which is why many healthcare professionals encourage women to consider their omega-3 intake during pregnancy. 

Some women obtain adequate amounts through diet, particularly if they regularly eat oily fish. Others may find supplementation helpful, especially if fish isn't something they eat often. What matters is understanding your own intake rather than assuming you're getting enough - or worrying unnecessarily that you're not. 

For women looking specifically at DHA intake, dedicated omega-3 products such as NurtureOmega provide concentrated levels of DHA and have been formulated specifically with pregnancy in mind. It's another example of why personalised, evidence-based guidance can be so valuable during pregnancy. 

Some women prefer a straightforward prenatal multivitamin such as NurtureMulti - the best supplement is often the one you're happy to take consistently. And that's okay. 

I started supplements late - is it too late?

I cannot tell you how many worried messages I receive about this. A woman discovers she's pregnant at eight weeks, or twelve weeks, or later. And immediately panics that she's somehow missed her chance. 

What I tell her is always the same: 

• No - it is not too late.
• Ideally mums-to-be would begin certain supplements before conception and in early pregnancy. But pregnancy is not an all-or-nothing event. 
• There are opportunities to support your health and your baby's development throughout pregnancy. 
• Whether that's starting a prenatal multivitamin, introducing omega-3 DHA, or discussing your nutritional needs with your healthcare professional, the most important step is the one you take next. 
• Feeling guilty about what didn't happen won't change the past. 
• Focusing on what you can do moving forward absolutely can. 

So if you've started later than planned, speak with your healthcare professional if you have concerns, and focus on the next step - not the missed one. 

The Bottom Line 

If I could leave every pregnant woman with one message, it would be this: 

You do not need to be perfect to be a good mother. Pregnancy is full of decisions, information and opinions. It's easy to feel as though every choice carries enormous weight. But most of the time, what matters is having access to reliable information and making informed choices that work for you. 

Ask questions. Seek support. Be kind to yourself. 

And remember: confidence in pregnancy doesn't come from doing everything perfectly. It comes from understanding what's necessary and important to you and letting go of the rest. 

For women who are looking for additional nutritional support, Nurture offers different ways to support pregnancy nutrition depending on your individual needs and circumstances. As always, if you're unsure which approach is right for you, speak with your midwife, GP or healthcare professional.