The Role of Prenatal Supplements During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is an incredible journey. But from baby names to pram purchases, it’s also a journey which can feel filled with difficult decisions. We’re here to make one simpler for you: how to supplement during pregnancy. So that you can make your nutritional choices with confidence, let’s take a deeper look at prenatal supplements - their role, the essential vitamins they contain and their effects on you and your little one.

Essential Vitamins for a Healthy Pregnancy

When you’re pregnant your body undergoes significant changes to support the growth of your baby, so making sure that you receive the right nutrition becomes more important than ever. While a balanced diet plays a key role in meeting most of your nutritional needs, prenatal supplements are there to fill the gaps that food alone can’t meet - providing essential nutrients for both you and your baby. 

Folate (Vitamin B9) 

Folic acid is perhaps the most well-known prenatal vitamin and folate is the more effective version of this. It’s popular as a pregnancy supplement due to its role in preventing neural tube defects, which are serious birth defects of the brain and spine. The neural tube develops within the first 28 days of conception, often before a woman even knows she’s pregnant, which is why folate is essential from the very beginning - or even before you get pregnant. However it’s important to stop taking folate around week 12-14 of your pregnancy, as there’s a chance it can increase the risk of certain cancers or immune system disorders, though this is still an area of ongoing research.

Iron

During pregnancy, your body’s need for iron increases significantly. Iron supports the development of the placenta and helps your body make extra blood to carry oxygen to your baby. Without enough iron you can develop anaemia which, when untreated, has been linked to preterm delivery, low birth weight and maternal fatigue.

Calcium

Calcium is essential for helping your baby build strong bones and teeth. If you don’t get enough while you’re pregnant, your body might borrow calcium from your bones, weakening your skeletal system and potentially increasing the risk of osteoporosis later in life.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D works with calcium to help develop your baby’s bones and teeth. It also supports immune function, helping keep nasty bugs at bay. Being deficient in vitamin D can lead to rickets - a condition that causes weak or soft bones in infants.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids make incredible supplements, particularly DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) which is essential for the development of your baby’s brain, eyes and nervous system. Research has also found that it can help to prevent pre-term birth. DHA is found in fish, but most of us don’t get enough through diet alone, making supplementation necessary.

Iodine

Iodine is crucial for your baby’s brain development and thyroid function. Not getting enough during pregnancy can lead to developmental delays and other complications.

Are Supplements Necessary and Which Ones Are Important?

While it’s possible to get many of these nutrients through a well-balanced diet, pregnancy increases your need for certain vitamins and minerals to levels that can be difficult to reach through food alone. That’s where prenatal supplements come in. Here are some more important ones:

1. Choline - Choline is a vital nutrient during pregnancy because it supports your baby’s development, particularly their brain and nervous system growth
2. Zinc - Helping to develop your baby’s major organs, zinc also supports your and your little one’s immune systems and prevents preterm birth. 
3. Magnesium - Not only does magnesium support your baby’s development, but it can help to reduce your risk of preeclampsia and preterm labour. 
4. Multivitamins - A prenatal multivitamin is often recommended to cover all bases, especially in women with dietary restrictions, such as vegetarians or those with food intolerances. However, every mum’s requirements are different which is why we create supplements as unique as you. Order your at-home testing kit to start your journey to getting personalised nutritional support. 

The Effects of Prenatal Supplements on the Body

Prenatal supplements are carefully formulated to meet the increased nutritional demands of mums-to-be without causing harm. Here’s how they affect your body:

Supporting Baby’s Development

The vitamins and minerals in prenatal supplements are directly involved in your baby’s growth and development. For instance, folic acid helps form the neural tube, iron builds your baby’s blood supply and DHA supports brain development.

Preventing Deficiencies

Pregnancy increases your body’s need for certain nutrients, and without supplementation you could be at risk of deficiencies that could affect both your health and your baby’s. For example, a lack of iron can lead to anaemia, which can cause fatigue and increase the risk of complications.

Maintaining Maternal Health

Beyond supporting your baby’s development, prenatal vitamins help maintain your own health during pregnancy. For instance, calcium helps protect your bone density, and vitamin B6 helps to reduce symptoms of morning sickness.

Prenatal supplements play a vital role in supporting healthy pregnancies. They provide essential vitamins and minerals that are difficult for us to get in sufficient quantities through diet, and make sure both you and your baby receive the nutrients you need. 

While a well-balanced diet should always be the foundation of your pregnancy nutrition plan, prenatal supplements are an amazing way to fill inevitable gaps and ensure you have the healthiest pregnancy possible. 

Let us help you do just that. Hi, we’re Nurture and we create evidence-based nutrition for mum and baby to be. Take our quick and easy food & lifestyle questionnaire today to get started. Or, if you have any questions feel free to get in contact with our expert support team, they're be happy to help.