The journey to motherhood is an extraordinary one, filled with excitement and anticipation. During this time, your body undergoes rapid changes, and has different nutritional needs to ensure the health of both you and your baby. 

While a balanced diet is a great way to make sure you get all the essential nutrients, pregnancy multivitamins can also play a key role in your pregnancy journey. Here’s everything you need to know about these supplements including what they are, multivitamins benefits and how they work. 

Pregnancy supplements, also known as prenatal vitamins, are vitamins that are designed to support the health of the mother and baby during pregnancy. These supplements are formulated with specific vitamins and minerals to ensure that both the mother and baby are getting the necessary nutrients they require during this important time.

When preparing for pregnancy, its recommended that women take preconception multivitamins and transition to a pregnancy specific or prenatal multivitamin once they conceive. 

Pregnancy places new pressures and demands on your body, creating extra demand for calories and certain nutrients. Good nutrition can help keep both you and your baby healthy throughout pregnancy¹. However it can be difficult to obtain sufficient amounts of certain nutrients from diet alone. 

For instance, pregnancy increases your need for folate (or folic acid) as this helps prevent neural tube defects in your growing baby², while a higher intake of iron is also vital to support the development of both the placenta and the baby³.DHA is another key vitamin, helping to develop a range of things from your baby’s nervous system to their overall growth and development⁴. Omega-3 fatty acids are another essential nutrient during pregnancy with numerous benefits, including healthy fetal brain and eye development. 

Vitamins and minerals play an important role in a range of physiological functions and are even more important when you fall pregnant. During pregnancy, your body needs more of these vitamins and minerals to support both you and your growing baby. Including things like calcium, folate and iron⁵. Prenatal supplements are formulated specifically for women who are pregnant with nutrients and vitamins that are crucial for a healthy pregnancy and fetal development, helping to bridge any nutritional gaps.

One of the key benefits of taking a pregnancy multivitamin is that they can help fill any nutritional gaps in your diet if you fail to consume adequate nutrients in your daily diet ensuring that you don't miss out on nutrients that are essential for a healthy pregnancy and optimal development for your baby. Aside from supporting your overall health, there are plenty of benefits from taking a prenatal vitamin. Let’s take a closer look. 

• Foetal development. Prenatal vitamins contain essential nutrients that are important for the development of your baby’s brain, spine and other organs⁶.
• Bone and teeth formation. Calcium and vitamin D play a key role in your baby’s bone and teeth development⁷.
• Healthy brain development. Nutrients such as iodine support the healthy development of your baby's brain and helps with the development of coordination and the five senses⁸.
• Neural tube development. Folic acid is crucial to help prevent neural tube defects, such as spina bifida and anencephaly, and should be taken daily for at least four weeks before conception and during the first trimester⁹.
• Immune system support. Pregnancy multivitamins can help ensure that your baby has all the vitamins and minerals that they need to develop a healthy immune system, such as vitamin D¹⁰.

• Prevent nutrient deficiencies. Pregnancy places increased nutritional demands on the body. Containing key nutrients like iron, calcium and vitamin D, prenatal vitamins help to support the health of both you and your baby¹¹.
• Immune system health. Pregnancy multivitamins can play an important role in supporting your own immune health¹².
• Prevents nausea and vomiting. For some women, taking a prenatal vitamin before getting pregnant can help reduce the nausea and vomiting that is common morning sickness¹³.
• Energy production. Folic acid and other B-vitamins may play a role in energy production, helping to combat fatigue during pregnancy¹⁴.
• Overall maternal health support. One of the key benefits of taking prenatal vitamins during pregnancy is the additional support they provide for your overall health and wellbeing. 

Pregnancy multivitamins may be a valuable addition to your daily routine during pregnancy, providing extra support for you and your baby that goes beyond what a regular diet may provide. However, it’s always best to speak to your healthcare provider before adding any supplements to your regimen. 

The journey to motherhood is a remarkable one, and the choices you make now resonate through every kick, hiccup, and milestone. For more guidance on selecting the perfect pregnancy multivitamin, check out our blog on what to look for in a pregnancy multivitamin 

Remember to always talk to your healthcare provider for advice that’s specific to you and your pregnancy. 

References: 

• Better health channel. Pregnancy and diet [Internet]. Vic.gov.au. 2012. Available from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/pregnancy-and-diet
• Greenberg JA, Bell SJ, Guan Y, Yu YH. Folic Acid Supplementation and pregnancy: More than Just Neural Tube Defect Prevention. Reviews in Obstetrics & Gynecology [Internet]. 2011;4(2):52–9. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3218540/
• Vitamins and Minerals in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding MotherSafe -Royal Hospital for Women [Internet]. 2019. Available from: https://www.seslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/groups/Royal_Hospital_for_Women/Mothersafe/documents/VitaminsmineralspandbupdateSept19.pdf
• Kaur N, Chugh V, Gupta AK. Essential fatty acids as functional components of foods- a review. Journal of Food Science and Technology [Internet]. 2012 Mar 21;51(10):2289–303. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4190204/
• Heland S, Fields N, Ellery SJ, Fahey M, Palmer KR. The role of nutrients in human neurodevelopment and their potential to prevent neurodevelopmental adversity. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2022 Nov 22;9.
• https://thewomens.r.worldssl.net/images/uploads/fact-sheets/Vitamin-D-for-you-and-your-baby_220429.pdf
• Schaefer E, Nock D. The Impact of Preconceptional Multiple-Micronutrient Supplementation on Female Fertility. Clinical Medicine Insights: Women’s Health. 2019 Jan;12:1179562X1984386.
• Thorne-Lyman A, Fawzi WW. Vitamin D During Pregnancy and Maternal, Neonatal and Infant Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology. 2012 Jun 28;26:75–90.
• Iodine is important for the normal development of a baby’s brain and nervous system [Internet]. Available from: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/kidsfamilies/MCFhealth/maternity/Factsheets/iodine-supplements-factsheet.pdf
• 2019. Available from: https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/vitamins-and-supplements-during-pregnancy
  Greenberg JA, Bell SJ, Guan Y, Yu YH. Folic Acid Supplementation and pregnancy: More than Just Neural Tube Defect Prevention. Reviews in Obstetrics & Gynecology [Internet]. 2011;4(2):52–9. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3218540/
• Lancastergeneralhealth.org. 2024 [cited 2024 Feb 5]. Available from: https://www.lancastergeneralhealth.org/health-hub-home/motherhood/getting-pregnant/everything-you-need-to-know-about-prenatal-vitamins#:~:text=For%20some%20women%2C%20taking%20a
• Mor G, Cardenas I. The Immune System in Pregnancy: a Unique Complexity. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology. 2010 Mar 29;63(6):425–33.
• American Pregnancy Association. Roles of Vitamin B in Pregnancy [Internet]. American Pregnancy Association. 2017. Available from: https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-health-wellness/vitamin-b-pregnancy/