Question 1

Which supplements are recommended during pregnancy in the UK?

Accepted Answer

UK guidance keeps the list short. Two supplements are advised for everyone, and one group of products is best avoided. Everything else depends on your diet and your blood results, which is why iron is usually only added after a test.

Nutrient	Daily amount	When
Folic acid	400 mcg	Before conception to week 12
Vitamin D	10 mcg (400 IU)	Throughout pregnancy
Vitamin A (retinol)	Avoid	Throughout pregnancy

Source: NHS

Question 2

When should I start taking folic acid, and for how long?

Accepted Answer

Ideally you start three months before trying to conceive, or as soon as you find out you are pregnant. The standard amount is 400 micrograms a day until the end of week 12. Supplemental folic acid intake increases maternal folate status, and a low maternal folate level is a risk factor in the development of neural tube defects in the developing foetus. After week 12 you can stop, or simply carry on with a pregnancy multivitamin that contains it. Some women are advised a higher dose of 5 mg, which only a GP can prescribe. See our separate folic acid products.

Question 3

Should I buy a prenatal multivitamin or separate supplements?

Accepted Answer

Both are valid. Buying folic acid and vitamin D separately is usually cheaper and covers exactly what UK guidance asks for. A multivitamin costs more but means one tablet instead of two or three, and it adds nutrients that are harder to get on a limited or plant-based diet, such as iodine and vitamin B12. If you choose a multivitamin, check the label says it is suitable for pregnancy and contains no retinol. Do not stack a multivitamin on top of separate products.

Question 4

Which form should I choose for myself or my child?

Accepted Answer

The form decides whether a product is actually taken every day, which matters more than a small difference in absorption. Tablet size and taste are the most common reasons people stop.

Nutrient	Daily amount	When
Folic acid	400 mcg	Before conception to week 12
Vitamin D	10 mcg (400 IU)	Throughout pregnancy
Vitamin A (retinol)	Avoid	Throughout pregnancy

Question 5

Why do pregnancy supplements avoid vitamin A?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin A as retinol is stored in the body, so high intakes build up over time. UK advice is to avoid supplements containing retinol during pregnancy, and to avoid liver, liver pâté and fish liver oils, which are naturally very high in it. This is why cod liver oil is not a suitable omega-3 source in pregnancy: choose a plain fish oil or algae oil instead. Many pregnancy formulas use beta-carotene, which the body converts as needed.

Question 6

Do I still need supplements while breastfeeding?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin D at 10 micrograms a day is advised for breastfeeding women, and it is worth continuing all year if you get little sunlight. Your own vitamin D supplement does not replace your baby's, so both are given. Some mothers add omega-3: maternal intake of DHA contributes to the normal brain development of breastfed infants, at an intake of 200 mg DHA a day on top of the usual omega-3 recommendation. Calcium and iodine needs are higher too, which is why postnatal formulas include them.

Question 7

Do babies and young children need vitamin drops?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in most cases, and the rules change with age and with how your baby is fed. Vitamin D is needed for the normal growth and development of bone in children, which is why it starts at birth for breastfed babies.

Nutrient	Daily amount	When
Folic acid	400 mcg	Before conception to week 12
Vitamin D	10 mcg (400 IU)	Throughout pregnancy
Vitamin A (retinol)	Avoid	Throughout pregnancy

Source: NHS

Question 8

What can I do if my iron supplement causes nausea or constipation?

Accepted Answer

This is the most common reason people abandon a pregnancy supplement. Three things usually help. First, the form: iron bisglycinate, iron bound to an amino acid, is generally better tolerated than ferrous sulfate at the same intake. Second, the timing: taking it in the evening, or with a small amount of food, softens nausea, though food does reduce absorption slightly. Third, vitamin C alongside it improves uptake, so a lower amount can be enough. If you were prescribed iron for anaemia, discuss any change with your midwife or GP.

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