Do I Need a Pregnancy Multivitamin?

During pregnancy your nutrient needs increase to support the proper development of your baby. 

From week 1 to week 40 these nutrients are vital for every aspect of your baby’s growth and your body will always prioritise nutrients for this purpose, which may lead to you feeling depleted. 

The aim is always to support these increased needs through adequate nutrition. But in pregnancy it is incredibly tricky to get all your nutrients from diet alone, for the following reasons:

1. Increased nutrient demands - particularly for folate for neural tube development, Vitamin D for immune and musculoskeletal support, iron to meet increased blood volume and iodine for infant growth.
   
   

2. Dietary challenges - morning sickness, food aversions and cravings can all affect a balanced diet and leave us low in certain nutrients.
   
   

3. Nutrient density - eating enough calories doesn’t always mean we are also consuming the right nutrients. 

This is where a good-quality pregnancy multivitamin can provide vital back-up for the increased nutrient demands of this life stage. Pregnancy supplements provide optimal nutritional support for your body as it grows and develops your baby, while protecting your health during this time of increased need. 

Supplements should never be a replacement for healthy eating but with its 29 nutrients, our Pregnancy and New Mother Multi can provide a reassuring safety net when nutrient status matters most.

During pregnancy and postpartum, your nutrient needs increase. Look for a supplement that provides the key nutrients your body and baby need, like folate, iron, iodine, choline, Vitamin D, B vitamins, magnesium, zinc and selenium. All of these vitamins and minerals are vital for healthy development, energy, mood and recovery through every stage.

Pregnancy multivitamins are important as whilst they cannot replace a balanced diet, they provide a vital safety net to meet increased nutrient demands.

It is true that some nutrients are better known than others for supporting infant development, such as folate, Vitamin D and Omega 3. However, there are a wider suite of nutrients which are also vital for your baby’s development through all trimesters of pregnancy such as choline, iodine, zinc and B vitamins to name a few. It isn’t always possible to obtain all of these nutrients in adequate amounts through food which is why it can be more beneficial to take a pregnancy multi nutrient rather than stand-alone nutrients. 

The Pregnancy and New Mother Multi is designed for every stage of your pregnancy, as well as postpartum where nutrient needs can vary.

Pregnancy is a time of general increased nutrient demands in order to support the proper development of your baby. These nutrients are needed for vital developmental processes including neural tube formation, brain development, thyroid function and bone formation among others. 

A mother’s vitamin status during pregnancy is important for healthy pregnancy outcomes and offspring development. However, we are seeing more and more evidence that a higher percentage of the population are low in these vital nutrients. A study by the University of Southampton highlighted that 90% of women in high income countries experience nutritional shortfalls during preconception and pregnancy. 

These shortfalls, including vital nutrients such as folate, Vitamin D, B12 and B6 are not only essential for proper foetal development but can also affect the mother’s experience of the pregnancy itself, including impacting energy levels and mood. 

Focusing on a nutrient-rich diet containing wholefoods, fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds and protein is always the best place to start. But for many reasons, appetite and food choices can be affected during pregnancy, meaning there are often shortfalls to nutrient status. 

A Pregnancy Multi Vitamin is never designed to replace a nutritionally dense diet but it provides a vital safety net to support nutrient status during pregnancy. 

Study here.

 

Find the Right Pregnancy Support for You

Every pregnancy is different, and your nutritional needs can change throughout pregnancy and after birth. While a pregnancy multivitamin can provide valuable nutritional support, you may still have questions about which supplements are right for you and whether you need additional support.

If you're unsure where to start, our Pregnancy Consults offer personalised guidance from a Wild Nutrition Nutritional Therapist. They can help you understand your individual needs and recommend the right nutritional support for your stage of pregnancy.

Book a Pregnancy Consult and get expert guidance tailored to you and your pregnancy.