When you’re pregnant or nursing, the supplement you choose is crucial. Choose one that was designed with your baby’s health in mind. 

Is your body ready to support the nutritional needs of you and your baby? 

If you’re not sure, a solid pregnancy and lactation support supplement is probably in order. 

There is nothing more important than your health and the health of your baby, so it’s important to take good care of yourself when you’re pregnant. During this time, you need more nutrients than ever before. The same goes for when you’re breastfeeding – you’re still “eating for two.” 

But studies have shown that some nutrients have a greater effect on your unborn child or nursing baby than others. A lack of some nutrients has been shown to cause serious birth and developmental defects, while a good supply of other nutrients has been shown to enhance certain areas of development. 

Here is a closer look at some of those nutrients:

Biotin

This B vitamin contributes to normal psychological functions, but many pregnant women don’t have enough biotin in their system to support their needs along with the babies. 

Calcium

This important mineral contributes to normal cell division and differentiation, among other things. Your growing baby needs a considerable amount of calcium for development. If your body doesn’t have enough, it’ll draw calcium from your bones to accommodate both needs. It’s much better to just add more calcium daily. 

Chromium

Chromium contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism and to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels, which is important to ward off gestational diabetes or to help maintain normal blood sugar levels when this condition is present.

Folate

This crucial B vitamin can contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, normal amino acid synthesis and normal psychological functions. A folic acid deficiency has also been linked to serious birth defects, so it is especially important to get enough of this vitamin during pregnancy and lactation.

Iodine

This essential trace mineral contributes to normal cognitive and neurological function. Even a mild iodine deficiency is believed to have a negative effect on the cognitive function of a developing child.

Iron

Iron helps the body make red blood cells that carry oxygen to other cells. When you’re pregnant, you’ll have about 50 per cent more blood in your body than usual, so you need extra iron to make more hemoglobin. A deficiency in this important mineral may lead to preterm delivery, low birth weight or infant mortality.

Magnesium

Just like calcium, your magnesium requirements increase significantly when you’re pregnant and nursing. The baby needs these minerals to develop and you need them to survive. Magnesium has also been shown to contribute to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue and to normal psychological functions.

Manganese

Manganese contributes to the normal formation of connective tissue.

Molybdenum

This is an essential element that contributes to normal sulphur amino acid metabolism. 

Niacin

This is a B complex vitamin that can contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue and normal psychological functions. 

Pantothenic acid

Also known as B5, pantothenic acid can contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

Riboflavin

Riboflavin is another B complex vitamin that can contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, normal energy-yielding metabolism, the maintenance of normal red blood cells, normal skin and mucous membranes, normal vision, normal function of the nervous system, and normal metabolism of iron in the body. As an antioxidant, this vitamin helps protect your cells from free radical damage. 

Selenium

This mineral contributes to the maintenance of normal hair and normal nails. Low levels of selenium during pregnancy have been linked to pregnancy complications. 

Thiamine

Also known as vitamin B1, thiamine contributes to normal psychological functions. It is essential for your baby’s brain development and it helps you both convert carbohydrates to energy. 

Vitamin B12

B12 is an essential B vitamin that can contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, normal homocysteine metabolism and normal neurological and psychological functions. If you aren’t consuming enough B12 from your diet, your child may develop a B12 deficiency, which can lead to very serious health issues. 

Vitamin B6

This vitamin may contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, normal cysteine synthesis, normal energy-yielding metabolism, normal homocysteine metabolism and normal psychological functions. B6 helps your baby develop a healthy brain and nervous system. It is also believed to help ward off morning sickness in the first trimester. 

Vitamin C

Vitamin C may contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, to normal psychological functions, and to the regeneration of the reduced form of vitamin E. 

Vitamin E

This vitamin also acts as an antioxidant, contributing to the protection of cell constituents from oxidative damage.

Zinc

This essential mineral contributes to normal carbohydrate metabolism, normal macronutrient metabolism, normal protein synthesis, the maintenance of normal hair and the maintenance of normal blood testosterone concentrations. Studies have linked zinc deficiencies with miscarriages, low birth weight and other pregnancy, labour and delivery problems.