Supplements for Pregnancy and Prenatal Nutrition: What to Look For
Folic acid is the supplement most often advised before and during early pregnancy, because folate contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy. A prenatal multivitamin can add iron, iodine, vitamin D and omega-3 DHA to your diet. The options below cover folic acid on its own, a prenatal capsule and a prenatal pack with a DHA softgel.
Recommended Supplements for Pregnancy and Prenatal Nutrition
Why Are These Products Included?
- GreenLife Folic Acid provides 800 mcg of folic acid per tablet, in a bottle of 100 tablets. Folate contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy. Public health guidance for most women is 400 mcg a day from before conception until the end of week 12, and each tablet here supplies twice that, so ask your doctor or midwife how to use it.
- VitaNature VitaPreGo combines folic acid, iron, iodine, magnesium and vitamins D, E, B6 and B12 in one capsule, with a fish-oil layer supplying the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. Take one capsule daily with a meal. It suits women planning a pregnancy, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. It contains fish oil, so it is not suitable with a fish allergy.
- Nature’s Field PregMum Plus Omega-3 pairs a prenatal multivitamin tablet with a softgel supplying 300 mg of DHA; take one of each daily with a meal. Maternal intake of DHA contributes to the normal brain development of the foetus and of breastfed infants, an effect obtained with an additional daily intake of 200 mg of DHA on top of the recommended omega-3 intake for adults.
How Do You Choose Between Them?
Start with folic acid as soon as you are trying to conceive. Once you are pregnant, many women move to a prenatal multivitamin. If you do, take it instead of, not on top of, a separate folic acid tablet unless your doctor advises both, and add up the folic acid, vitamin A and iron from everything you take. Choose a pack that includes DHA if you rarely eat oily fish.
What Is Prenatal Nutrition?
Prenatal nutrition means meeting the higher need for folate, iron, iodine, vitamin D and omega-3 fats before, during and after pregnancy. A varied diet comes first and supplements fill gaps in it. Your doctor or midwife may check your iron or vitamin D levels before advising a dose, and the right dose can differ from one woman to another.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Tell your doctor or midwife as soon as you know you are pregnant, and before starting any supplement. Book antenatal care early. Seek medical help promptly for severe or persistent vomiting, vaginal bleeding, a severe headache, swelling of the face or hands, fever, or a change in your baby’s movements.
What Can Supplements Do, and What Can They Not Do?
Folate contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy, and DHA contributes to the normal brain development of the foetus when the intake is adequate. Supplements do not replace antenatal care, a varied diet or prescribed treatment, and they cannot prevent complications of pregnancy.
Precautions and Interactions
Do not exceed the vitamin A (retinol) amount your doctor advises in pregnancy, and avoid liver-based products and cod liver oil. Check labels for vitamin A before combining products. Do not take herbal supplements in pregnancy unless your doctor approves them. Do not take more than one multivitamin at a time. Fish-oil products are not suitable with a fish allergy; tell your doctor if you take blood-thinning medicines. Iron can be harmful to young children in an overdose, so keep all supplements out of their reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a prenatal vitamin?
Many women take a prenatal supplement because needs for folate, iron, iodine and vitamin D rise in pregnancy. Whether you need one depends on your diet and blood tests, so ask your doctor or midwife.
How much folic acid should I take?
Public health guidance for most women is 400 mcg daily from before conception until the end of week 12. Some women are advised a higher dose by their doctor. Do not decide a higher dose on your own.
Can I take folic acid and a prenatal multivitamin together?
Most prenatal multivitamins already contain folic acid. Check the amounts on the label and ask your doctor before combining them.
Can I take herbal supplements while pregnant?
Many herbs have not been tested in pregnancy. Choose products that your doctor or midwife has approved.
Do you deliver these supplements outside Nigeria?
Yes. Recs-Medix ships internationally by DHL Express to the USA, UK, Canada, the EU, Australia and the Middle East, with delivery across Nigeria and same-day delivery in Lagos and Abuja.
Why Order From Recs-Medix?
- Authorised distributor for more than 60 supplement brands since 2017
- Same-day delivery in Lagos and Abuja, and nationwide delivery across Nigeria
- Payment on Delivery available across Nigeria
- DHL Express international shipping to the USA, UK, Canada, the EU, Australia and the Middle East — see shipping and delivery
- Help choosing products from our team — contact us
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Last reviewed: 1 October 2026