Prenatal Vitamins and Supplements

What you will be able to do

• explain which vitamins and minerals US guidance highlights at each stage of pregnancy and after the birth.
• start or catch up on folic acid and a prenatal vitamin if your pregnancy was unplanned.
• keep taking your vitamins through pregnancy nausea, and know when vomiting needs medical help.
• check vitamin D and iodine across all your products and avoid doubling up.
• explain when extra iron is used and how to get omega-3 and calcium from food.
• read a Supplement Facts label and spot fish liver oil, extra vitamin A and other things to avoid.
• check whether you may qualify for WIC, and know the vitamin D advice for your baby.

1. 1Your prenatal vitamin map

   See at a glance which vitamins and minerals US guidance highlights at each stage, from a positive test to breastfeeding, and check where you are now.

   • What US guidance says, stage by stage
   • Just found out? Starting late and catching up
   • Making your own supplement checklist

   Pregnancy supplement checklist

2. 2The first trimester: folic acid when you feel sick

   Keep taking folic acid and your prenatal vitamin through the first trimester, even with nausea and tiredness, and know what changes at around 12 weeks.

   • Keeping your vitamins down
   • Taking a prescribed higher dose
   • At around 12 weeks: what changes

   Daily supplement trackerPregnancy supplement checklist

3. 3Vitamin D: how much and from where

   Understand how much vitamin D you need in pregnancy, where it comes from, how to read IU and mcg, and how to avoid doubling up.

   • Why vitamin D matters, and how much you need
   • Getting the amount right and not doubling up

   Daily supplement trackerSupplement label checker

4. 4Iron, iodine, omega-3 and calcium

   Learn how US guidance approaches the other key pregnancy nutrients, why iodine needs a label check, when extra iron is used, and how to cover the gaps on a vegan or restricted diet.

   • Iron, blood tests and iron pills
   • Iodine, omega-3 and calcium
   • Vegan, vegetarian and restricted diets in pregnancy

   Daily supplement tracker

5. 5Choosing and checking products

   Decide between a prenatal vitamin and single vitamins, read a Supplement Facts label with confidence and spot products to avoid.

   • Prenatal vitamin or single vitamins?
   • Reading a Supplement Facts label
   • Herbal remedies, 'boosters' and things to avoid

   Supplement label checkerPregnancy supplement checklist

6. 6WIC, after the birth and staying safe

   Find out about WIC and other food help, what changes for you and your baby after the birth, and how to store supplements safely.

   • WIC and other help with healthy food
   • After the birth: vitamins for you and your baby
   • Keeping supplements safe at home

   WIC eligibility checker (signpost)Daily supplement trackerPregnancy supplement checklist

• CheckerPregnancy supplement checklistCheck off each point that is true for you to see whether your supplements match US guidance for your stage of pregnancy, and what to sort out next.
• TrackerDaily supplement trackerCheck off your vitamins each day, note anything that makes them hard to take, and build a steady routine through each stage of pregnancy.
• CheckerSupplement label checkerHold a supplement bottle and check off what the Supplement Facts label shows, to see whether it suits pregnancy and spot ingredients to avoid.
• CheckerWIC eligibility checker (signpost)A quick guide to whether you might qualify for WIC food benefits and support in pregnancy, with signposts to the official agencies that decide.