What Kind of Vitamins Should I Take During Pregnancy? | Everything You Need to Know

If you’re currently expecting or trying to conceive, it’s important that you complement your diet with the right vitamins and supplements to ensure your body is receiving the right amount of nutrients. Determining which vitamins are safe to take during pregnancy will give you peace of mind, knowing that you’re doing all you can to assist your baby’s growth and development.

In this blog, we discuss everything you need to know about the best pregnancy vitamins and supplements, from how long you should be incorporating them into your diet, to whether or not you can take pregnancy vitamins whilst breastfeeding.

Can I Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins Before Pregnancy?

If you’re not yet pregnant but are currently trying to conceive, it’s certainly a good idea to begin taking prenatal vitamins. Before you even realise you’re pregnant, the baby’s brain and spinal cord are already developing, so it’s important to ensure you’re giving your body what it needs as soon as possible.

The Best Pregnancy Vitamins

When it comes to the kinds of vitamins you should take during pregnancy, there are a few general recommendations – folic acid, vitamin D & vitamin C.

Vitamin D

Regardless of whether you’re expecting, everyone requires a certain amount of Vitamin D in their system to keep their bones, teeth and muscles healthy.

It’s recommended that all pregnant women take a 10-microgram Vitamin D supplement per day, particularly if your pregnancy spans the autumn and winter months.

If you choose not to take a Vitamin D supplement throughout your pregnancy, there is a higher risk that your baby will be born with soft bones.

How Will I Know If I’m at Risk of Vitamin D Deficiency?

Some women are more susceptible to developing Vitamin D deficiency than others.

If you rarely go outside, have a darker skin tone, have a BMI over 30 or always use a high-factor sun cream, taking Vitamin D during your pregnancy is an absolute must.

At Time Health, we stock a range of natural, plant-based Vitamin D supplements, free from unnecessary ingredients. To view our selection of high-strength Vitamin D supplements, please use the navigation on our site.

Why not try our maximum strength Vitamin D3 4000IU.

Vitamin C

Crucial to promoting a healthy immune system, taking Vitamin C supplements throughout your pregnancy can help to ensure that both you and your baby sustain a healthy immune system.

During pregnancy, it can also be hard for your body to receive enough iron. Luckily, Vitamin C can also help to maximise the amount of iron your body processes from the foods you eat, making it one of the best pregnancy vitamins available.

Why not try our Acerola Cherry, an all-natural vitamin

Folic Acid

Vital for the growth and development of your baby’s nervous system, taking a folic acid supplement both before and during your pregnancy can assist in preventing birth defects in your baby’s brain and spinal cord.

The recommended dose of folic acid for pregnant women is 400 mcg daily for the first three months, then 600 mcg for the remainder of the pregnancy. The recommended dose then lowers to 500 mcg for new mothers who are breastfeeding.

The Benefits of Folic Acid For Pregnant Women

Taking folic acid during your pregnancy can help to lower the chances of:
● Your baby being born with neural defects
● Your baby being born prematurely
● Your baby growing poorly in the womb
● Your baby being born with a cleft lip or palate

It can also reduce your chances of experiencing:

● A stroke
● Certain types of cancer
● Alzheimer’s
● Heart Disease

Why not try our Inositol Complex with Folate and Chromium, helping to support healthy hormonal balance and ovarian function.

Can You Take Pregnancy Vitamins When Breastfeeding?

It is recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that breastfeeding women continue to take their prenatal vitamins throughout their time doing so.

Your body has been through a lot throughout your pregnancy, and that doesn’t just disappear once you give birth. Giving your body the nutrients and support it needs to heal, strengthen and feed your new baby is vital.

How Long Do I Take Pregnancy Vitamins For?

Because your baby is growing and developing throughout your pregnancy, it’s important to take prenatal vitamins throughout each trimester.

You can stop taking them once your pregnancy comes to an end. However, as previously mentioned, it is recommended that a breastfeeding Mother continue to take the recommended doses of certain vitamins and supplements throughout the length of time they’re breastfeeding.

Why Choose Time Health For Pregnancy Vitamins?

At Time Health, we understand that choosing the right vitamins to take during your pregnancy is an incredibly important decision.

If you would like to browse our range of fertility and pregnancy vitamins and supplements, simply use the navigation on our site.

Alternatively, if you require further guidance on what vitamins are safe to take during pregnancy, please consider reaching out to one of our trusted practitioners.