image bio

Get an extra 10% off your first month of any subscription with code SEPT23. Shop Now

Earn up to $500 when you refer friends to Natalist. Learn More

Home > Learn > Nutrition > >What Supplements are Safe and Unsafe for Pregnancy?

What Supplements are Safe and Unsafe for Pregnancy?

Jul 31, 20 5 min
What Supplements are Safe and Unsafe for Pregnancy?

We’re here to give you simple and straightforward answers on what supplements and vitamins are safe for pregnancy, and what supplements to avoid. 

 


By Dr. Kenosha Gleaton

If you’re pregnant or trying to conceive it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which includes a well balanced diet and intake of necessary vitamins and minerals. With a countless variety of supplements, oils, herbs, and prenatal vitamins on the market, it can be daunting trying to figure out what’s right for your body and what isn’t. We’re here to give you simple and straightforward answers on what supplements are safe for pregnancy, and what supplements to avoid.

What constitutes a “dietary supplement” 

As defined by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), which became law in 1994, a dietary supplement is a product that:

  • is intended to supplement the diet
  • contains one or more dietary ingredients (including vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, and other substances) or their constituents
  • is intended to be taken by mouth as a pill, capsule, tablet, or liquid 
  • is labeled on the front panel as being a dietary supplement.

Unfortunately, no mandatory system exists for reporting the harmful effects of dietary supplements. And although the DSHEA gives the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the right to ban harmful dietary supplements, the burden of proof is on the FDA and not the manufacturer. Medications, on the other hand, must prove their effectiveness and safety first, and manufacturers are required to report any harmful effects. Because of this, supplements should be taken with caution and only from reliable, GMP-certified manufacturers, and should always be discussed with your doctor. 

Necessary supplements

There are some supplements that are necessary for a healthy pregnancy and healthy fetal development. A great example of this is a prenatal multivitamin, which contains many necessary vitamins and minerals that contribute to the health of your baby. Folate is also an important supplement that reduces the risk of neural tube defects. Omega DHA is essential for improved heart health and the development of neural tissue. 

Safe and effective supplements for pregnancy

Other supplements that you can take safely while pregnant include: 

    • Iron is vital for the growing fetus, and supports the dramatic increase in blood volume during pregnancy. The CDC recommends universal screening for iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women and universal iron supplementation to meet the iron requirements of pregnancy. Our Natalist prenatal gummy vitamins contain 2 mg of iron per serving, along with several other essential vitamins and nutrients, to ensure your daily iron needs are met during your pregnancy.
    • Peppermint leaf is also safe for pregnant women and can be used to help with nausea and vomiting 
    • Ginger root is another safe and effective option for alleviating morning sickness and nausea. 
    • Folate greatly reduces the risk of spina bifida and spinal cord abnormalities. 
    • Vitamin D is needed for adequate muscle and skeletal development and for a healthy metabolism. Some data also suggest that it can potentially improve fertility and reduce  rates of miscarriage.  Pregnant women are commonly vitamin D deficient and require additional supplementation beyond their prenatal vitamin. 
    • Omega 3s (which are in our Prenatal Daily Pack regimen) ensure adequate brain, eye, and neuron development in the fetus. 

🌟 Shop Prenatal vitamins ⟶

Supplements to avoid during pregnancy

A Supplements you should not take while pregnant include but are not limited to: 

Supplements are plentiful and it’s important to note that this is not a complete list of all potentially harmful substances.  Always consult your doctor before taking any medicine, herbs, or supplement. For other questions about your pregnancy, check out our pregnancy blog for more resources and helpful information.

Shop Products From This Article
Subscribe & Save $10.00 sticker favorite
Trimester Pack: Prenatal Gummies

Trimester Pack: Prenatal Gummies

Extra 10% off your first delivery when you subscribe with code SEPT23

$105 $85

methylated folate supplement product and packaging

MTHF Folate

Extra 10% off your first delivery when you subscribe with code SEPT23

$25

Shop Products

sticker new
Myo and D Chiro Inositol supplement capsules

Inositol Plus

Extra 10% off your first delivery when you subscribe with code SEPT23

$35

Subscribe & Save $3.00 sticker new
Natalist-hydration-energy-electrolyte-drink-mix

Hydration & Energy Electrolyte Drink Mix

Extra 10% off your first delivery when you subscribe with code SEPT23

$32

sticker favorite
Natalist Ovulation Test Kit

Ovulation Test Kit

As low as $0.76 per strip

$25

Subscribe & Save $6.00 sticker new
Box of Natalist Hydration & Energy mix next to Magnesium Plus bottle

Drink Mix Duo

Extra 10% off your first delivery when you subscribe with code SEPT23

$70 $59

sticker bestseller
Front of Natalist Prenatal Daily Packets against a white background

Prenatal Daily Packets

Extra 10% off your first delivery when you subscribe with code SEPT23

$60

Subscribe & Save $15.00 sticker favorite
Prenatal Daily Packets Trimester Pack

Trimester Pack: Prenatal Daily Packets

Extra 10% off your first delivery when you subscribe with code SEPT23

$180 $150

sticker bestseller
Prenatal gummy vitamins

Prenatal Gummies

Extra 10% off your first delivery when you subscribe with code SEPT23

$35

Subscribe & Save $10.00 sticker favorite
Trimester Pack: Prenatal Gummies

Trimester Pack: Prenatal Gummies

Extra 10% off your first delivery when you subscribe with code SEPT23

$105 $85

sticker bestseller
Pregnancy Tests (4-Count)

Pregnancy Tests (4-Count)

As low as $3.20 per test

$16

sticker favorite
Natalist Ovulation Test Kit

Ovulation Test Kit

As low as $0.76 per strip

$25

sticker favorite
Women's Fertility Test Bundle

Women's Fertility Test Bundle

Bundle & save $26

$205 $185

sticker save
The Test Strip Pack

The Test Strip Pack

Bundle & save with our earth-friendlier test strips

$37