Ensure a healthy baby by taking safe and essential supplements.

By Natasha Turner, ND

For many women, being pregnant and considering supplements can be overwhelming, confusing and worrisome. Most of the women I see who are pregnant, trying to conceive or breast-feeding come with similar concerns: Do I need to take supplements? Which supplements should I take? What could be harmful and which nutrients are the most important during pregnancy? Should I take prenatal vitamins before I conceive and during breast-feeding?

Let’s address each of these questions individually:

1. Do I need to take supplements?

2. Which supplements should I take?

3. What can be harmful?

4. Should I take prenatal vitamins before conception and during breast-feeding?

Pregnancy and birthing are processes that can be positively supported through rest, preventative nutrition, avoiding harmful substances like caffeine, alcohol and artificial sweeteners as well as through using the right vitamins and supplements. Monitor your stress levels accordingly as high levels of stress hormone in pregnancy have been linked to mood disorders in children later in life, like depression and anxiety.

Balance your days with low-impact exercise, fresh air and sunshine. Most of all – enjoy being beautiful and pregnant! The most important factor in pregnancy is your relationship with your body and your emotional connection to your child that you are carrying.

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