Pregnancy is a nutritionally demanding period of a woman's life, when the requirements for some vitamins and minerals increases.

The healthy development of your baby involves rapid cell division and organ development, and an adequate supply of nutrients is essential to support this tremendous growth.

Your daily need for vitamins and minerals not only increase before and during pregnancy but also after the birth when your body’s nutrient stores need replenishing. Whilst breastfeeding it increases the need for fluids and nutrients. Vitamin D is also important during this time.

Each nutrient has its own function in maintaining your health and the health of your growing baby.

Nutrient	Important for	Which foods?
Folic acid	The development of the organs and tissues; ensures the healthy development of the neural tube	Found in a variety of foods including broccoli, brussels sprouts, asparagus, peas, chickpeas, brown rice, some fruits such as oranges and bananas, fortified cereals and bread. Make sure you don't overcook vegetables, as this destroys the vitamin. It is recommended that you take a folic acid supplement before conceiving and until the twelfth week of pregnancy
Omega-3 essential fatty acids	The development of the brain and nerves in late pregnancy	Cold water fish (e.g. mackerel, herring, sardines, salmon) If you have problems eating fish you may benefit from a supplement containing omega-3
Vitamin D	The absorption of calcium for strong bones and teeth	Oily fish such as sardines, eggs, margarine and low fat spreads The body produces vitamin D in sunlight According to the Food Standards Agency, if you are pregnant you should take a 10µg supplement of vitamin D
Iron	Red blood cells for both the mother and baby. These are needed for the growth and development of the baby.	Lean red meat, dark green vegetables, beans, lentils, nuts, fortified breakfast cereals, dried fruits
Copper	The heart, skeleton, nervous system and blood vessels	Shellfish and nuts
Calcium	Teeth and bones	Dairy products, dark green leafy vegetables, bread
Magnesium	The bones and teeth and for repairing tissues	Nuts, leafy green vegetables such as spinach, bread, fish, meat, dairy produce
Vitamin E	Healthy blood vessels	Plant oils - soya, corn & olive oil. Nuts, cereals, wheat germ
Vitamin C	The absorption of iron and for the immune system	Most fruit and vegetables, especially citrus fruits, tomatoes, broccoli, peppers, blackcurrants, potatoes
Vitamin B12 and other B vitamins (B1, B2, B6)	Healthy red blood cells and for releasing energy from food	B12: Meat and fish Fortified breakfast cereal
Zinc	The growth and development of the baby	Sardines, red meat, shellfish, milk, dairy foods, bread, cereals

Are you getting all the nutrients you need from food?

Unfortunately many women enter pregnancy already with low levels of some vitamins and minerals. Stress, eating on the run, dieting and recent pregnancies may all be reasons for this.

Some pregnant women’s vitamin intake can often be below the recommended levels. This is important as your nutritional status plays an essential role in the healthy development of your baby, starting before you conceive and continuing throughout your pregnancy.

By taking Sanatogen Mother To Be, or Sanatogen Mother To Be + Omega-3, before conception and during pregnancy you can help to ensure that you're getting all the key vitamins and minerals your body needs to help support the healthy growth of your baby and keep you healthy too.