Must-Have Natural Supplements for a Healthy Pregnancy
Here at Planet Organic, we offer an extensive range of natural and organic nutritional supplements that are innovatively designed and scientifically proven to support every stage of a woman's life, including fertility and pre-conception, pregnancy (all three trimesters), post-birth, and breastfeeding. We also ensure that all of our pregnancy supplements are eco-friendly meaning that the raw materials are sustainably sourced, and that the end product and postal packaging are either plastic-free, recyclable or biodegradable. All of our pregnancy supplements undergo quality checks that ensure consistent, controlled and high-quality manufacturing standards. This includes purity testing meaning that the raw materials and end products are tested for contaminants, heavy metals and microbiology.
What are the most important supplements for pregnancy?
We source the best pre-pregnancy vitamins and best pregnancy vitamins from Viridian, OptiBac, Wild Nutrition, Better You, Bare Biology and Pure Synergy (to name a few). Our in-house nutritionists have selected these pregnancy vitamins due to their superior quality, purity, bioavailability, safety, and sustainability compared to other brands on the market.
How do Natural and Organic Pregnancy Supplements Compare to Other Pregnancy Supplements?
Organically grown supplements are the best pregnancy vitamins as they ensure that the pregnancy product is free from chemical pesticides, synthetic fertilisers, GMOs and heavy metals. Natural supplements ensure that the pregnancy product is free from artificial colours, flavours and chemical preservatives. They are also excipient free, meaning that the pregnancy product does not contain any harmful flow agents, fillers, binding agents and emulsifiers, used during the manufacturing of nutritional supplements. We also ensure that all of our pregnancy supplements contain a safe and effective nutrient dose aligned with NHS recommendations to support a healthy pregnancy. Our pregnancy supplements also include essential active nutrients such as; folic acid as methylated folate, gentle (non-constipating) iron for optimal absorption, B6 to mitigate nausea, the pregnancy-safe form of vitamin A known as beta carotene and calcium in combination with magnesium, K2 and D3 for optimal absorption.
Why are Natural and Organic Pregnancy Supplements Superior at Supporting a Healthy Pregnancy?
The placenta is permeable to most pollutants, including pesticides, PCBs, BPA, lead, mercury, titanium dioxide, magnesium silicate (talc), hydrogenated oils, artificial colours and flavours. These concerning chemicals are common in commercial nutritional supplements, including pregnancy supplements. The only way to avoid exposure to these concerning contaminants, artificial additives and excipients would be to choose natural or organic pregnancy supplements. Quality and purity tests need to be conducted on all raw materials and end products for every batch to guarantee that a pregnancy product is clean, active and absorbable. For optimal transparency, compliance certificates should be accessible on the brand's website and should verify the final testing results for every manufactured product.
The NHS recommend the following six essential nutrients as the most important vitamins for pregnancy:
Good prenatal vitamins for pregnancy include folic acid. Women should supplement with 400ug of folic acid daily before conception and until 12 weeks of pregnancy. Folic acid can help prevent neural tube defects, including spina bifida. The activated form of folic acid is known as methylated folate, which is both safe and supportive to supplement beyond 12 weeks. Methylated folate is needed for a healthy immune system and supports the nervous system throughout a healthy pregnancy.
All adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, need 10ug of vitamin D daily. Vitamin D in pregnancy is required to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. Introducing a vitamin D supplement in pregnancy also supports the immune and nervous systems.
Iron pregnancy supplements support healthy haemoglobin (blood oxygen), energy levels and are needed to avoid iron deficiency anaemia common in the third trimester.
We are also asked, is it good to take vitamin C during pregnancy, and yes, it is, as vitamin C in pregnancy is needed to support the immune system and healthy cells. Also, taking a calcium supplement during pregnancy is vital for strong bones and teeth and B12 to reduce tiredness & fatigue.
Read on as Lucy, our in-house expert, reviews our top natural and organic nutritional supplement brands for pre-conception, pregnancy (all three trimesters), post-birth and breastfeeding.
Viridian
Viridian Pregnancy Complex is a wholefood-based supplement that uses a technique known as slow manufacture; once the active ingredients are deposited into the capsule, any remaining space is filled with a wholefood base of either-or a combination of alfalfa, spirulina and bilberry. All Viridian nutrients are 100% active and thus readily absorbed and utilised by the body. Viridian Pregnancy Complex contains ALL 6 NHS recommended essential nutrients for a healthy pregnancy; vitamin C (200mg), iron (20mg), B12 (2.5ug), folic acid as methylated folate (400ug), vitamin D3 (10ug), calcium (51mg).
Viridian Pregnancy Complex 60 caps
Optibac
OptiBac specialises exclusively in live cultures (probiotics) and even won the Queen's Award for Enterprise, among other prestigious awards. Their targeted approach uses different therapeutic strains for different groups of people, making OptiBac pioneers in providing personalised probiotics that offer customers the right strains for the right reasons.
Optibac for Pregnancy has been trialled by hundreds of pregnant women. Each capsule provides 12 billion friendly bacteria and 30 mg FOS fibres to support a healthy pregnancy and mitigate constipation. All three strains are scientifically proven to pass through stomach acidity and survive to reach the gut. Two out of the three strains have been proven to reach the vaginal tract.
Optibac For Pregnancy 30 caps
Wild Nutrition
All Wild Nutrition nutrients are organically grown, which means that they are free from pesticides, herbicides and heavy metals. Wild Nutrition manufacture their supplements using a Food-Grown® method, a natural and organic way of producing food supplements. This type of manufacturing uses no solvents or chemicals, and the process takes place in a low heat environment to protect the quality of the nutrients. The result is advanced food supplements with enhanced bioavailability.
Wild Nutrition for pregnancy contains all six NHS recommended essential nutrients for a healthy pregnancy; vitamin D (10ug), vitamin C (30mg), folic acid as methylated folate (400ug), B12 (40ug), calcium: 200mg, iron (10mg).
Wild Nutrition Pregnancy Capsules 90 caps
Wild Nutrition Breastfeeding Complex have included clinically studied herbs and plant extracts such as Stinging Nettle, Marigold and Fenugreek that have been used for centuries as galactagogue herbs (breast milk enhancers) to improve milk supply and quality for lactating women. This formula is designed to induce milk flow and promote its continued supply. It has also been proven to support the nervous system, healthy energy, and infants' brain and eye health.
Wild Nutrition Food-grown Breastfeeding Complex 90 caps
Better You
Better You Pregnancy Spray is on the go nutrition that does not need to be taken with food or water due to intra-oral spray technology that delivers the 100% active formulation straight into the bloodstream via the inner cheek for optimal absorption. It contains 4/6 NHS recommended essential nutrients for a healthy pregnancy; vitamin D3 (75ug) - higher strength, B12 (50ug), folic acid as methylated folate (400ug) and iron (5mg). So, you may need to consider vitamin C and calcium supplementation. This delicious non-nausea peppermint formulation is designed to support maternal tissue growth and normal immune function while reducing tiredness and fatigue by stimulating natural energy production.
BetterYou Pregnancy Daily Oral Spray 25ml
Better You Conception Spray has a great tasting natural pomegranate and raspberry flavour, that delivers seven targeted nutrients; zinc, selenium, folic acid, vitamin D3, iron, thiamine and iodine. This formulation has been designed to optimise health for pre-conception and early pregnancy, supports maternal tissue growth and immune health, whilst contributing to normal fertility and cell production.
BetterYou Conception Daily Oral Spray 25ml
Both Better You Pregnancy and Better You Conception sprays are developed in partnership with Madeleine Shaw and are highly-reviewed and recommended by Mumsnet users.
Bare Biology
Bare Biology extracts their oils from wild sardines, anchovies and mackerel. This is because small fish are at the bottom of the food chain, thus containing fewer heavy metals and other pollutants such as PCBs. They are also the only UK company certified by the IFOS (International Fish Oil Standards program) an independent laboratory that tests every batch of their oils. Due to optimal transparency, customers have easy access to their full test results (certificates of analysis) as seen on their website. Bare Biology only works with Norwegian fisheries and manufacturers certified by both Friends of the Sea and IFFO-RS. These organisations promote sustainable and responsible fisheries and aquaculture practices. Furthermore, their oils are made using molecular distillation, a green chemistry process that maintains the oil's integrity and ensures that no toxic chemicals or solvents are used in any stage of the manufacturing process. This method also produces fish oils in their natural triglyceride form for optimal absorption.
Bare Biology Mums and Bumps contains omega 3 DHA, a significant component of the brain, eye tissue and skin. During pregnancy, the body feeds the mother's DHA to the baby, and breast milk has elevated levels, and thus, supplementation is highly recommended to maintain optimal levels. Bare Biology Mums and Bumps does NOT contain vitamin A (retinol), unlike other fish oils such as cod liver oil. Thus, it is safely recommended for pre-conception, pregnancy, post-birth and breastfeeding.
Bare Biology Mums & Bumps Pure Omega 30 Caps
Pure Synergy
Pure Synergy creates innovative, full-spectrum nutritional supplements through a process known as the Synergized® protocol. This ensures that the end product contains phytonutrient-rich ingredients as found in nature. The nutrients are activated with enzymes and fermented with probiotics, providing vitamins and minerals that are easily absorbed and gentle on the digestive system. All Pure Synergy supplements are organically grown from organic heirloom seeds, and thus they are free from chemical pesticides, synthetic fertilisers, GMOs and heavy metals. All raw materials and end products are tested before and after manufacturing for favourable and unfavourable ingredients. This ensures that the nutrient levels and quality adhere to their strict standard. Due to full transparency, customers have easy access to their full test results as seen on their website.
Pure Synergy is a good prenatal vitamin for pregnancy as it contains 5/6 NHS recommended essential nutrients for a healthy pregnancy; vitamin D3 (25ug) - higher strength, B12 (42ug), folic acid as methylated folate (800ug) - higher strength, iron (27ug) and vitamin C (240mg). So, you may need to consider calcium supplementation. Pure Synergy is unique in that it provides a full-spectrum prenatal supplement supplying vitamins, minerals, organic sprouts, berries, and herbal extracts that offer comprehensive antioxidant nourishment, balance and support.
The Synergy Company Pure Synergy 354g
We Would Recommend the Following Supplement Regime to Support a Healthy Pregnancy:
- Better You – Conception Spray:
Most expecting mothers are unaware that they are pregnant until eight weeks along. Since the 1st trimester is associated with foetal development, including the prevention of spinal defects, maintaining optimal nutrient levels is essential. Contains 400ug of folic acid as methylated folate.
- Wild Nutrition – Pregnancy:
Is suitable for pregnancy (all three trimesters), post-birth and breastfeeding as it contains ALL 6 NHS recommended essential nutrients for a healthy pregnancy. After birth, your body will need extra support to heal from delivery, hormone shifts, low energy and a lack of sleep. Therefore, Wild Nutrition recommend taking their Food-Grown Pregnancy supplement until your baby is at least 12 weeks old.
- Bare Biology – Mums and Bumps:
Each capsule contains Omega 3 – DHA (560mg).
It is crucial to build up your DHA reserves during pre-conception, maintain sufficient levels throughout pregnancy, and meet the demand for DHA in breast milk.
- OptiBac – For pregnancy:
Each capsule provides 12 billion friendly bacteria and 30 mg FOS fibres to support a healthy pregnancy and mitigate constipation. It is suitable for pre-conception, pregnancy, post-birth as well as breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women.
Shop our extensive range of natural and organic nutritional supplements for pregnancy here.
