Prenatal Vitamins For Every Stage: Before, During, & After Pregnancy

By: Sabrina Granniss, IBCLC

6 min

Introduction Before Conception During Pregnancy Your Breastfeeding Journey Conclusion

Did you know prenatal vitamin supplements should be taken before becoming pregnant? In fact, taking a high-quality prenatal vitamin supplement is essential at every stage of having a baby, including before conception, during pregnancy, and continuing through the entire lactation journey.

A healthy diet with a variety of foods high in vitamins and minerals supports your body, but sometimes it is hard to get everything you need from diet alone. A high-quality prenatal vitamin is recommended to ensure you get the amount of vitamins and minerals needed for healthy fertility, pregnancy, and milk production. Knowing what vitamins and minerals are important at different stages can help you choose a prenatal vitamin that will benefit you and your baby.

Read on to find out more about

Key vitamins and minerals that should be in your prenatal vitamin supplement, all of which are in the Legendairy Milk Dynamic Duo Prenatal Vitamin.
What the benefits of a prenatal vitamin are before conception
What vitamins and minerals help you and your baby during pregnancy
Why you should keep taking a prenatal vitamin through your entire breastfeeding journey

Before Conception

Folate

Vitamin B9 or folate supports fertility. Difficulty conceiving and fertility issues have risen over the past years. Up to 11% of women of childbearing age have experienced difficulties conceiving. (1)

In one study, women getting at least 700 mcg of folate per day were 40-50% less likely to have ovulatory infertility. (2)

Higher folate intake, particularly from prenatal supplements, is associated with higher rates of implantation and being able to carry the baby to term. (3)

Selenium (18)

Selenium is an essential mineral that supports overall health, particularly during pregnancy. As a potent antioxidant, it can help protect cells from oxidative stress and support healthy cell growth. Adequate selenium intake during early pregnancy contributes to maternal well-being and supports a healthy pregnancy. (10)

Vitamin E

Vitamin E, known for its historical association with fertility since the time of the ancient Greeks, may support reproductive health by promoting cervical mucus production, which aids sperm in reaching the egg. (15)(16) Additionally, vitamin E may help maintain a healthy uterine lining, supporting conditions favorable for implantation and helping the fertilized egg remain attached to the uterine wall. (14) (Hashemi, Sharifi, et al., 2019)

Iron

Your blood volume is increased by almost 50% when you are pregnant, and your requirement for iron also increases. (5) It is best to increase your iron intake prior to getting pregnant to avoid low iron or anemia during pregnancy.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D3 is a fat-soluble vitamin and is better utilized by the body than vitamin D2. Many people are deficient in Vitamin D. People get some vitamin D from the sun, but usually not enough.

Nearly 40% of people do not have sufficient vitamin D status. Newborn babies are dependent on the vitamin D status of the mother. (12)

Iodine

Breast growth and development during pregnancy rely on a healthy thyroid. Iodine supports your thyroid. More iodine is needed during pregnancy because some is transferred to the fetus. Additional iodine is eliminated in your urine. (17)

Choline

This essential nutrient is necessary for the structure of developing cells and brain development. (7) Many prenatal vitamins leave this critical nutrient out. Yet, it is needed for every stage of the baby’s development. Choline should be taken before and during pregnancy and continued throughout breastfeeding.

During Pregnancy

Folate

In the first month of gestation, the baby’s neural tube forms. The neural tube begins as a plate. As it forms, it becomes the baby’s early brain, spinal cord, and central nervous system. Without folate, the risk of developing neural tube defects increases. The most common neural tube defects are spina bifida and anencephaly (a brain defect). (19)

Legendairy Milk Dynamic Duo Prenatal Vitamin has natural methylfolate, which is more bioavailable than folic acid. Folic acid is synthetic and less easily utilized by the body. Folate crosses the placenta to support rapid cell division during pregnancy.

Vitamin B6

Nausea is a symptom many women experience in the first trimester from about weeks 4-16. Morning sickness, which can happen at any time of the day, continues beyond the first trimester for some people. Vitamin B6 can help alleviate nausea, which contributes to protecting you from dehydration.

DHA

This omega-3 fatty acid is critical for your baby’s brain and eye development. (21) Surprisingly, not all prenatal vitamins contain DHA, so be sure to read your ingredient label and switch to one that has DHA if it is missing in yours.

DHA from fish oil can be hard to tolerate for some people. Many people find they prefer DHA sourced from microalgae.

Zinc

Zinc and iron compete. (22) Taking zinc and iron together risks getting the benefits of either. Dynamic Duo Prenatal separates them, with iron in the daytime dose and zinc in the nighttime dose.

Iron

Adequate iron intake during pregnancy may help support emotional well-being and could be beneficial in reducing the risk of postpartum depression. (8) Low iron can leave you feeling exhausted and susceptible to getting sick from lowered immune function. For your baby, iron is necessary for DNA synthesis and supplies oxygen to your baby. (20) (23)

In the last trimester, your baby stores up iron that they will use for the first 4-6 months of their life until solid foods are introduced. Sufficient iron levels are crucial to your baby’s energy level after birth. If they are sleepy, it is harder to rouse them to feed, and low weight gain can become an issue. (9)

Magnesium

Dynamic Duo Prenatal has magnesium in the nighttime dose. This is perfect timing for helping your body relax, destress, and fall asleep more easily. Magnesium supports smooth muscle function and can reduce muscle cramps. (11) Magnesium supports a healthy weight for your baby.

Copper

The proper balance of copper and iron is needed for proper brain development. (24) It can help build connective tissue, support heart function, and play a role in making melatonin. (4)

Your Breastfeeding Journey

Calcium

During breastfeeding, women can lose 3-5% of their bone mass. Getting enough calcium in your prenatal vitamin helps replenish your calcium levels and keep your bones strong and healthy. (6)

Choline

Choline continues to play a vital role in your baby’s brain development from in-utero to after birth. (26) Choline is involved in synapse formation and memory. Not everyone can get enough choline from food alone and can benefit from a prenatal vitamin with choline as an ingredient. (25)(27)

For the mother, choline supports maternal health and overall well-being, including the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system during breastfeeding. Maintaining a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients, including choline, supports the overall breastfeeding experience and breast health. (28)(30) The Recommended Daily Allowance of choline during lactation is 550 mg. (13)

Iron

Demands of parenthood with a new baby can be tiring. Proper iron levels deliver oxygen throughout the body's cells, tissues, and organs, helping you function your best.

The amount of iron in breast milk is low but highly bioavailable to your baby. They rely on the iron in your milk and their stored iron until 4-6 months, when they may need additional iron.

Selenium

Your thyroid needs selenium to function correctly. The pituitary gland which is a control center for hormones like prolactin and oxytocin that are released during lactation. (29) Prolactin is the main milk-making hormone, and oxytocin is the hormone responsible for the milk ejection reflex. When your thyroid is not functioning, it can lead to a delay in milk production and a low milk supply.

Conclusion

Prepare for pregnancy by boosting your vitamin and mineral levels with Legendairy Milk’s Dynamic Duo Prenatal Vitamin. Starting a prenatal vitamin supplement before conception ensures the fetus has the environment necessary in the first weeks when growth is rapid and often fragile and for the duration of the pregnancy. Lactation follows birth and the continued support for mom and baby from a high-quality prenatal vitamin supports milk quality and sufficient milk supply.

No matter how you choose to feed your baby, your health matters, too. The process of growing a tiny human can deplete some of the body’s vitamin and mineral stores. Continuing to take a high quality prenatal vitamin during the postpartum period and your entire lactation journey can help replete what may have been diminished.