Pregnancy is one of the most nutritionally and micronutritionally demanding periods in a woman's life. From the very start of pregnancy, the need for vitamins and minerals are very high, for both the development, health and functions of the placenta and the development of the baby (morphogenesis, organogenesis, development of the nervous system, composition of bones and tissues…).
It is at these times that dietary intake must be optimal, and even with the best intentions, it is far from straightforward. At Jolly Mama, we advocate a "food first" approach. But ultra-processed food, intensive farming that depletes our soils, and our stressful lifestyles that leave little room to choose, cook, and plan our meals, all drain our nutrient reserves.
Even with an "ideal" diet, studies show that this is not not sufficient, and that prenatal supplements are a real asset for the mother and her baby (Anses 2017). The College of French Gynaecologists-Obstetricians (CNGOF) and the Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) also recommend supplementation with vitamins D and B9. For women planning a pregnancy, routine vitamin B9 supplementation is recommended from 4 weeks before conception until 8 weeks after, at a recommended dose of 400 µg per day.
During your pregnancy or when trying to conceive, you have plenty of other things to think about than whether you are meeting all your nutrient requirements — that is where a prenatal supplement comes into its own: it is the right time to stock up on the essential nutrients for you and your baby.