Choosing the Right Prenatal SupplementFor the first time in your life you truly know how it feels to be walking on cloud 9! You’ve just left the doctor’s office, and your pregnancy test is positive!
Once the euphoria has calmed a little, the questions start to arise and the first is ‘what’s next?’ “What can I do to keep both myself and my developing baby, at our absolute optimum healthiest throughout this most exciting time?”
Of course you know that following a great nutritious diet is best, and perhaps you already do, but is it enough? How do you find a multi-vitamin supplement that is specially formulated for each stage of your pregnancy but can be taken throughout your pregnancy, with confidence that you are doing what is best for you and baby?
These are very important questions to be asking! Research shows that an adequate intake of micronutrients will support mom’s health before, during and after pregnancy as well as contribute to the development of baby. Your body’s nutritional needs definitely change throughout your pregnancy and the research shows too, that many of the essential minerals that your body requires during pregnancy, deplete and decrease.
Your pregnancy is divided into three significant trimesters, each requiring nutrients that will assist with the development of that particular stage of your baby’s growth as well as contribute to lowering many of the risks as mentioned above.
But, how do you know what to look for when choosing a multi-vitamin supplement to take whilst you are pregnant?
Leading OB/GYN’s recommend the same vital nutrients which are required throughout all three pregnancy trimesters. These are:
- Chromium
- Iodine
- Folate
- Calcium
- Iron
- Omega-3 DHA
- Vitamin A
- B Vitamins
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Magnesium
There are specifically formulated multivitamin supplements, containing all the above vitamins and minerals that your body needs for before, during and after pregnancy.
This is why:
During the first trimester (week 1 to week 12), rapid cell division happens and major organs, such as the heart, liver, kidneys and lungs, begin to form. This includes the neural tube which becomes the brain, spinal cord and central nervous system. This is a crucial period in your pregnancy and forms the foundation for the development of your baby. Folate (Folic Acid) is the most important supplement to take throughout pregnancy. In fact, before, during and after! It is important for the metabolism of several amino acids, and essential for normal cell growth and replication. Folate supplementation during pregnancy is proven to reduce the risk of neural tube disorders and helps to form red blood cells.
Choosing a multivitamin supplement that includes chromium, iodine, folate, choline, and omega-3 DHA supports all this vital activity taking place during the first trimester of your pregnancy. These supplements will also contribute to your physical health.
Chromium is essential during both the first and second trimesters. It is a trace element that helps the body use insulin – especially important when hormone changes are increasing insulin resistance.
Whilst iodine is important throughout all three trimesters, it is particularly vital during the first trimester. Iodine is especially important for the function of baby’s brain. Baby also relies completely on mom for thyroid hormones during this critical first trimester, developing its own thyroid hormones around week 12.
The second trimester (week 13 to week 28) sees significant growth of baby, especially in terms of length and weight, whilst the organs are all continuing to mature. This is the time when you will get to feel baby moving. How exciting is that?!
Most pregnant women don’t get sufficient iron from their daily diet, so choose a multivitamin supplement that includes iron, particularly during this second and vital trimester of your pregnancy. During pregnancy, more blood is produced to facilitate the growth of baby. This means that more iron is required to help that you don’t feel tired – a sure sign that your iron levels are low. Iron also contributes to normal cognitive function and helps to form red blood cells and their proper function.
Iron is an essential nutrient that contributes to the formation and proper function of red blood cells and supports your immune system. Iron is found in red meat, poultry, and seafood, as well as beans, tofu, spinach, nuts, and seeds.
It’s important to note that as mentioned above, chromium is necessary during both the first and second trimesters.
The third trimester (week 29 to birth) is the final stage of development. Baby gains weight rapidly. Body fat is added and significant brain development takes place. Here, Omega 3 Fish Oils are important as they aid in the function of baby’s brain and eyes.
As you move through this last trimester of your pregnancy, calcium and vitamin D become even more important for your nutrition. Vitamin D is so important for baby’s bone structure and immune function as well as supporting the development and maintenance of bones.
It is important to note the other vitamins that are vital for your baby’s development and your pregnancy health. These include:
- B Vitamins. A family of nutrients, crucial to supporting a healthy pregnancy, contributing to everything from normal psychological function to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. These vitamins are found in foods like leafy greens, whole grains, and lean meats.
- Vitamin A which has several essential functions during pregnancy, helping to maintain normal vision, supporting normal skin maintenance, and contributing to immune system function. It is found in foods like sweet potatoes, carrots, and leafy greens – an essential vitamin for you and baby.
- Magnesium. A mineral that assists with muscle function and contributes to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue. It is found in foods like leafy greens, nuts, and avocados!
- Calcium, which contributes to the development and maintenance of bones and teeth and is found in dairy products, leafy green vegetables such as kale and broccoli. Calcium is also found in tofu, beans, nuts, and seeds.
- Vitamin E. An antioxidant that supports the maintenance of good health and can be found in plant-based oils, nuts, and seeds. It is also found in vegetables such as spinach and avocados.
It is highly recommended for moms to take a comprehensive multivitamin supplement that offers essential vitamins, minerals (like chromium, iodine, active folate, iron, and calcium), and Omega-3s (DHA & EPA), before and after delivery.
It is important to note that from a scientific perspective, prenatal supplements have been developed so that they can complement a balanced diet rich in whole foods, rather than be seen as a replacement. If ever you are in doubt, please do consult your doctor.
Please note: The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or healthcare provider before starting any supplements during pregnancy.
References available upon request from Parenting Hub.
This article was sponsored by iNova Pharmaceuticals. The views and content are that of Parenting Hub and not necessarily of iNova Pharmaceuticals.
Parenting Hub is one of South Africa’s largest online lifestyle magazines, targeted toward Parents.
We understand that there are many aspects that encompass a Mother, Father or Child and strive toward providing resources and services that accommodates this.
Our content is aimed to inform and educate families on issues starting from pregnancy through to the challenges of the teen-age years.
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The Science Behind Prenatal SupplementationHow amazing is it that a human body can create another human being? Absolutely perfect, with its own unique personality, beauty, and magnificence!
How fortunate too are we to be living in an era where science has advanced to a point where pregnant moms can take absolute care of themselves and their developing babies through supplementing their diets?
We all know that great nutrition is derived from a perfectly healthy diet, but we know too that great healthy food is not always available to everyone. Pregnancy increases the body’s needs for certain vitamins and minerals, but it can be difficult to support these nutritional needs through diet alone. The nutrient intake of pregnant moms needs to support both moms health and that of her baby, through:
- Aiding cell division and tissue growth
- Healthy formation of the placenta
- The development of baby’s brain, organs, and bones
- Enhancing blood supply
The diet supplement market is so saturated with products, how do you as a pregnant mother, know what you should and shouldn’t be taking? Understanding the science behind prenatal supplements, can go a long way to helping you make the best choice that will benefit not only you and your health, but the health of your unborn baby too.
Prenatal supplements have been developed based on nutrition science, developmental biology, and the scientific study of how and why diseases and health conditions occur in populations (epidemiology). The studies have all focused on the healthy development of baby as well as maintaining the health of mothers during pregnancy.
Essential minerals are vital for human health, and during pregnancy. They are even more critical to support maternal health and infant development. If not supplemented, the levels of many essential minerals decrease during pregnancy, including calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium, zinc, as well as chromium and iodine. Low levels of minerals are associated with a wide range of maternal and infant health problems worldwide, and appropriate supplementation may help reduce the risk of many maternal and infant health complications.
Key Nutrients and their Scientific Roles
Chromium
Chromium is recommended to help control blood sugar levels. Low levels of chromium have shown to be associated with diabetes, which may potentially increase the risk of gestational diabetes.
Iodine
Low iodine is strongly associated with iodine deficiency disorders, including hypothyroidism in mothers and infants and intellectual disability in infants. Iodine supplementation is strongly recommended for pregnant women to help decrease the rate of hypothyroidism and intellectual impairment for baby, as well as impaired cognitive function of infants.
Calcium
Calcium is necessary for strong bone and tooth formation. It is also vital for the well-being of mom, to help the deterioration of her bones. Calcium is a strong contributor to nerve cell communication and normal muscle function. For mom, it not only supports bone health, but is also a factor in the maintenance of good health.
Magnesium
Blood levels of magnesium decrease significantly during pregnancy. Magnesium is vital for baby’s development, contributing to strong bone and teeth formation. It also contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system, normal electrolyte balance and tissue formation. It contributes to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue, normal psychological function and helps to metabolise carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is important for bone growth and immune function. Supplementing with additional vitamin D during pregnancy contributes to the maintenance of normal muscle function. It also contributes to the normal function of the immune system, helps in the development and maintenance of bones and teeth and contributes to normal cell division. Vitamin D helps in the absorption and use of calcium and phosphorous and contributes to normal blood calcium levels. It is a factor in the maintenance of good health.
Active Folate
Folate is important for the metabolism of several amino acids. It is essential for normal cell growth and replication. Folate supplementation during pregnancy is proven to reduce the risk of neural tube disorders.
Active folate is the body’s usable form of folate which is ideal for those who have difficulty in metabolising synthetic folic acid. It supports red blood cell formation, vital during pregnancy and is readily absorbed by the body.
Iron
Iron is important and necessary for the production of red blood cells as well as the transportation of oxygen throughout the body. During pregnancy, more blood is produced to facilitate the growth of baby. This means that more iron is required to ensure that mom doesn’t feel tired (a sign that iron levels are low). Iron also contributes to normal cognitive function.
Many women start their pregnancy with low iron levels, and iron levels decrease further during pregnancy, especially mid-trimester, because of the production of new red blood cells for the placenta and baby.
Zinc
Zinc is important for immune function of the body and particularly necessary for mom and baby during pregnancy. Maintaining healthy zinc levels is vital for a healthy pregnancy.
Taking zinc supplements during pregnancy, helps in connective tissue formation. It contributes to the maintenance of normal healthy skin, normal acid-base metabolism, and helps the body to metabolise carbohydrates, fats and proteins. It contributes to normal cognitive function, normal DNA synthesis and is a factor in the maintenance of good health. It contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism and metabolism of vitamin A, as well as the maintenance of normal nails, bones and hair.
Selenium
Selenium has many functions in the body and has been shown to help reduce hypothyroidism. It has been found that selenium stores in the body are depleted throughout pregnancy, with most depletion occurring at the end of pregnancy.
Selenium contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress and is an oxidant for the maintenance of good health. It contributes to the maintenance of normal hair, nails and the normal function of the immune system. Selenium also contributes to normal thyroid function.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an important water-soluble antioxidant, and is a co-factor for many enzymatic reactions, including the production of collagen, carnitine, and neuropeptides.
During pregnancy, vitamin C is important in contributing to cell protection from free radical damage. It contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage and blood vessels and helps maintain strong bones and teeth. Vitamin C is a factor in the maintenance of good health and contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage.
Vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 plays a huge role in the development of baby’s bones and teeth. It assists mom in absorbing calcium, contributes to the maintenance of normal muscle function, normal function of the immune system and has a high role in the process of cell division.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is important for visual health, immune function and baby’s growth and development. The risk for Vitamin A deficiency is at its highest during the third trimester of pregnancy. This is due to the accelerated growth of baby as well as the increase in the production of blood.
Vitamin A is important for baby’s growth, whilst it assists in maintaining mom’s immune system and vision.
B Vitamins
B vitamins are a class of water-soluble vitamins that play a vital role in the synthesis of red blood cells and the metabolism of cells.
B vitamins are vital to help:
- Improving photoreceptor functioning with normal vision
- Energy production and development of the nervous system, digestive system and skin
- Production of important neurotransmitters and hormones
- Metabolism of several amino acids
- Normal cell growth and replication
- Formulation of red blood cells and cellular metabolism
Copper
Copper contributes to normal iron transport and metabolism. It helps to repair connective tissue, form red blood cells and the overall maintenance of good health for both mom and baby.
Molybdenum
Molybdenum is vital for pregnant moms as it helps to activate the enzymes necessary for the metabolism of toxins and the breaking down of amino acids. It also helps the body metabolise proteins and is a factor in the maintenance of good health.
Omega 3 Fish Oils
Omega 3 fish oils aids in the function of baby’s brain and eyes.
The Perfect Prenatal Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement
A comprehensive multivitamin is highly recommended for moms to take before, during and after delivery as they offer essential vitamins, minerals (like chromium, iodine, active folate, iron, and calcium), and Omega-3s (DHA & EPA) for mom and baby’s health.
It is important to note that from a scientific perspective, prenatal supplements have been developed so that they can complement a balanced diet rich in whole foods, rather than be seen as a replacement. If ever you are in doubt, please do consult your doctor.
Please note: The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or healthcare provider before starting any supplements during pregnancy.
References available upon request from Parenting Hub.
This article was sponsored by iNova Pharmaceuticals. The views and content are that of Parenting Hub and not necessarily of iNova Pharmaceuticals.
Parenting Hub is one of South Africa’s largest online lifestyle magazines, targeted toward Parents.
We understand that there are many aspects that encompass a Mother, Father or Child and strive toward providing resources and services that accommodates this.
Our content is aimed to inform and educate families on issues starting from pregnancy through to the challenges of the teen-age years.
Latest posts by Parenting Hub
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Post Views: 30,601
Love, Connection & Postpartum Reality: Redefining IntimacyFebruary is often celebrated as the month of love, romance, and connection. But for many new parents—especially mothers in the postpartum phase—this narrative can feel far removed from reality.
Postpartum life is intense. Your body is healing from birth, hormones are fluctuating, sleep is fragmented, and much of the day revolves around feeding, changing nappies, soothing, and repeating the cycle again. Many women experience physical discomfort such as muscular aches from breastfeeding positions, constipation, haemorrhoids, lingering postpartum bleeding, or tenderness and healing after a caesarean birth. Add emotional overwhelm, exhaustion, and limited personal space, and intimacy can feel like the last thing on your mind.
At the same time, partners are often equally depleted—sleep deprived, adjusting to new responsibilities, and navigating how to support both baby and mother. The result isn’t a lack of love, but rather a lack of energy and opportunity to connect.
Why Connection Still Matters in the Postpartum Phase
Research into postpartum wellbeing consistently shows that gentle emotional and physical connection between partners supports maternal mental health, relationship satisfaction, and long-term family stability. This doesn’t mean returning to pre-baby expectations of intimacy. Instead, it calls for redefining closeness in ways that are realistic, respectful, and nurturing.
Connection in this phase is less about performance and more about presence.
Creating Small, Intentional Moments Together
One of the most accessible ways to reconnect postpartum is through intentional, pressure-free touch. Even short moments—ten minutes of quiet time—can help calm the nervous system and rebuild closeness.
A simple ritual may include:
- Choosing a calm moment while the baby sleeps
- Gentle massage using a natural, skin-supportive massage oil
- Slow, intentional touch without expectation
Massage has been shown to support relaxation, reduce stress hormones, and stimulate oxytocin—the hormone associated with bonding and trust.
For couples who feel ready, Aphrodite’s Garden natural Love Balm may be introduced to support comfort and ease during intimate touch. Hormonal changes after birth can contribute to dryness and sensitivity, and supportive lubrication can help intimacy feel more comfortable and less demanding.
Reconnecting With the Body—At Its Own Pace
Postpartum recovery is deeply individual. Desire may return slowly, and that is both normal and valid. Gentle sensory care—such as massage with Aphrodite’s Garden natural Love Potion massage oil—can help a woman reconnect with her body without pressure, allowing intimacy to unfold naturally rather than being forced.
A Gentle Postpartum Reminder
Love during the postpartum season is quieter and slower. It lives in shared pauses, supportive touch, and intentional presence. Making space for your relationship—however small that space may be—is not a luxury. It is part of holistic family wellbeing.
Parenting Hub is one of South Africa’s largest online lifestyle magazines, targeted toward Parents.
We understand that there are many aspects that encompass a Mother, Father or Child and strive toward providing resources and services that accommodates this.
Our content is aimed to inform and educate families on issues starting from pregnancy through to the challenges of the teen-age years.
Latest posts by Parenting Hub
(see all)
Post Views: 30,601
1 thought on “Self-Care Tips for a Stress-Free Pregnancy”
Very useful and helpful tips.