Cell Division This is a period of rapid growth. Vitamin B12 has a role in the process of cell division. Whether your pregnancy is straightforward or you have pregnancy complications, prenatal vitamins can help you on your journey. Seek advice from your doctor for prescribed prenatal supplements, or choose some popular tried-and-tested over-the-counter prenatal vitamins from our list below. It’s worth noting that a well-rounded prenatal vitamin should include all the necessary ingredients required to support a healthy pregnancy, which we’ve explained in more depth below. What types of nutrients should I look for in prenatal vitamins? Nutrients play an important role in the development of the egg, womb preparation, hormone regulation and more. Each month, the reproductive and hormonal cycle develop an egg cell, prepare the womb and a range of other processes have to be performed to create the right fertile balance. Proceive ® Women delivers high levels of carefully selected, key ingredients including; A prenatal vitamin is an important part of any pregnancy journey, with GPs and midwives advising that pregnant women take one daily. This type of vitamin doesn’t replace a healthy-balanced diet, but it can help you and your baby get the additional nutrients required for good growth and development.

The official guidance is for pregnant and breastfeeding women to take a 10 microgram (mcg) supplement each day to give their baby enough vitamin D for the first months of life. Vitamin C: Although not specifically recommended when pregnant, this vitamin helps iron to be absorbed. The Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology says: 'This may be of benefit during pregnancy, at a time when women are at risk of becoming anaemic.' Not only can standard multivitamins contain vitamin A, the dosage levels of vitamin D and folic acid may not be high enough for conception and pregnancy. Vitamin D: The NHS recommends taking a daily vitamin D supplement during pregnancy. You’ll need 10 micrograms of vitamin D each day.The main reason this supplement is great for that first trimester is that the formula focuses on supporting hormone balance, cell division (the period of rapid growth) and energy (the first 12 weeks of pregnancy are notoriously exhausting). The vitamin B1, iron, magnesium and vitamin B2 included are all key players for reducing tiredness and fatigue and boosting those energy levels. A healthy varied diet is important when breastfeeding. Providing a wide range of superior quality vitamins and minerals at optimum dosage levels, Proceive Breastfeeding offers premium nutrition that is safe and effective for mother and baby throughout the breastfeeding period and up to 12 months after childbirth. Benefits For Mother: A healthy varied diet is important when breastfeeding. Providing a wide range of superior quality vitamins and minerals at optimum dosage levels, Proceive Breastfeeding offers premium nutrition that is safe and effective for mother and baby throughout the breastfeeding period and up to 12 months after childbirth. Benefits For Mother: Week 28 until the birth of your baby is known as the third trimester. The third trimester marks the home stretch, as the body prepares for the birth of your baby, the end of your pregnancy is in sight. You’re almost there! The foetus continues to grow in weight and size, and the body systems finish maturing.

You'll need to take a supplement even if you eat foods containing the natural form of folic acid (folate), such as spinach, broccoli, granary bread, beans and pulses. Vitamin A and C: Vitamin A supports the baby’s eye and organ development, while vitamin C can help maintain both foetal and maternal health. Taking these vitamins is linked to reduced complications in pregnancy, such as preeclampsia and preterm birth. However, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists warns that “Too much vitamin A can harm the development of your baby’s nervous system. During pregnancy, avoid any supplements that contain more than 700 micrograms (µg) of vitamin A and don’t eat foods such as liver, liver products (pâté) or fish liver oils that may contain this vitamin in high levels.” In addition to ensuring that your prenatal vitamin provides you with all the essential nutrients to support a healthy pregnancy, it’s also important to maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet. Supplements can only provide support to a healthy lifestyle and cannot deliver everything your body requires during pregnancy. What factors should I consider when looking for a prenatal vitamin? Providing a wide range of superior quality nutrients at optimum dosage levels, Proceive ® offers premium nutrition that is safe and effective for you and your baby during this time. Recommended for all new mothers for up to 12 months post-partum and all breastfeeding mothers for the full duration of your breastfeeding journey.A cheaper supplement that contains these alone is sufficient (unless you're advised otherwise by your doctor) and more cost-effective. Energy Support: Vitamin B1 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism. Tiredness: Iron, Magnesium and Vitamin B2 contribute to a reduction in tiredness and fatigue. Mental Performance: Zinc contributes to normal cognitive function. Immunity: Vitamin D and Vitamin C contribute to the normal function of the immune system. Hair: Selenium and Biotin contribute to the maintenance of normal hair. Bones: Calcium and Vitamin D support the maintenance of normal bones. Providing a wide range of superior quality nutrients at optimum dosage levels, Proceive offers premium nutrition for you and your baby during this time. Recommended for all new mothers for up to 12 months post-partum and all breastfeeding mothers for the full duration of the breastfeeding journey. Proceive does not contain fillers, binders, preservatives, artificial colours or flavours. *Contains Vitamin D as advised by the UK Department of Health during breastfeeding. **Includes a broad spectrum of nutrients to support the mother’s energy production, reduce tiredness, support bone health and immunity. During the first 8 weeks, a foetus is called an embryo. The embryo develops rapidly and by the end of the first trimester it becomes a foetus that is fully formed, on average only 3 to 4 inches in length. That is a lot of growing in the first 12 weeks! For example, Centrum Advance is a standard one-a-day vitamin but it only contains 200mcg of folic acid and 5mcg of vitamin D per daily dose, both of which are insufficient for pregnant women. Folic acid (Methylfolate) Contains 400ug in its natural form to support greater absorption. Folic acid contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy

Although multivitamins may contain key ingredients that pregnant women need - namely, folic acid and vitamin D - they might also contain ingredients that are aren't safe during pregnancy. As the third trimester progresses it is very common to become more uncomfortable. As your baby grows and crowds the abdominal cavity, you may have a hard time taking deep breaths or getting comfortable at night for sleep. Making sure you can rest where possible is key in the third trimester.

Find the best prenatal vitamin to help support your body and baby’s growth, before, during and after pregnancy

This supplement by Proceive is tailored to support you and your baby in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. The supplement comes in capsule form and contains 29 vitamins, minerals and amino acids, including all-important folic acid. It also provides calcium and vitamin D support to help maintain normal bone development. Minerals: Minerals are another important ingredient to look for in prenatal vitamins. Some of these include magnesium, calcium, zinc and iodine. Your doctor may also recommend that you take iron, although these needs vary from person to person, so only take iron after consulting with your doctor. The placenta is an organ shaped like a flat cake that only grows during pregnancy. It attaches to the uterine wall with tiny projections called villi. Foetal blood vessels grow from the umbilical cord into these villi, exchanging nourishment and waste products with the mother's blood. Brain Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) contributes to normal mental performance, while Magnesium contributes to normal psychological function