When should I start a prenatal multivitamin?

Many people start while they are trying to conceive, on their doctor's advice. Folate and iodine are the two nutrients your doctor will usually raise with you. Prenatal formulas differ in how much of each they contain. Ask our pharmacists to read the label with you for the one you are considering. Do not add a second multivitamin on top.

Can I keep taking my usual supplements while pregnant?

Check each one with your doctor or pharmacist first. Some herbs, high dose vitamin A and certain weight products are not suitable in pregnancy. Others are fine to continue. Write a list of everything you take, including teas and powders, and go through it with your doctor or pharmacist one item at a time.

What is different about a breastfeeding formula?

Breastfeeding formulas are built for the feeding stage rather than the pregnancy stage, so the amounts differ. Some people simply continue their prenatal, which is common too. Iodine and omega-3 are the nutrients most often raised while feeding. Ask your doctor or pharmacist which suits you, and mention any medicines you take.

Are probiotics suitable during pregnancy?

Some are made for pregnancy and feeding, and come as capsules or sachets. Whether one suits you depends on your health and on the strains in the product. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting one, particularly if your immune system is compromised. Ask our pharmacists to read the label with you.

What can I ask a pharmacist about while pregnant?

Nausea, heartburn, constipation and sleep come up most often. Some products are suitable during pregnancy and many are not, so please ask before you buy. We will also check anything you already take against the stage you are at. Where something needs a doctor or nurse practitioner, we will tell you.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy and breastfeeding support covers the supplements people use while trying, expecting or feeding. Most arrive looking for a prenatal multivitamin. Others already take one and want it checked against everything else. What is suitable changes at every stage, so the advice changes with it.

Our pregnancy and breastfeeding range covers prenatal and breastfeeding multivitamins. Elevit, Herbs of Gold, Metagenics and Eagle all sit on that shelf. Probiotics made for pregnancy and feeding come as capsules. Iron is sometimes added and sometimes taken separately, on your doctor's advice. Omega-3 with DHA sits in our fish oils range.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before you start, stop or change anything while pregnant or breastfeeding. That includes herbal products, which are not automatically safe. Your doctor and midwife should also know everything you take. Ask our pharmacists to look at the pack or the product name with you. For a private appointment from home, book a women's health consultation.