Conclusion

Vitamin and mineral supplementation remains an important tool in the midwife and obstetrician's portfolio. Supplementing the diet with a broadspectrum pregnancy supplement has distinct advantages over single supplements and can help to normalise dietary intakes of many more micronutrients.

The balance of clinical evidence suggests that supplementation in a woman, who would otherwise have an inadequate intake, can have significant effects on the long term health of her children as well as her own health. This potential impact of supplementation on nutritional health and well-being is greater than at any other life stage. Younger women and those from lower income and ethnic backgrounds appear to be particularly at risk.