As a midwife, I get asked many questions about proper nutrition and diet during pregnancy. What can and can't you eat? So I thought I'd clarify just how important multivitamins when pregnant are and the ones you should be taking.

But first, you're probably wondering - who I am? I'm Rachael, I'm a UK-based midwife with over 20 years of experience. I'm also the founder of bitbaby - a wearable device that will track movement in the womb in the later stages of pregnancy.

Multivitamins and pregnancy

So, here's what you should know about the multivitamins you should be taking.

Pregnancy is an important time in a woman's life, as it is during this period that the body undergoes a significant amount of change. Proper nutrition is essential during pregnancy to ensure the health and development of both you and your growing baby.

Multivitamins are a great way to ensure that you and your baby are getting proper nutrition. Multivitamins provide the essential nutrients necessary for fetal development.

Your midwife will advise that you start taking folic acid for the first trimester, but you can even begin taking it when trying to get pregnant. This is one of the most important nutrients you should take. In the first 12 weeks, your baby's brain and spinal cord are forming and folic acid plays an important role in helping with that.

Other nutrients you should be taking on board are:

Iron - essential for the production of red blood cells, which are necessary for carrying oxygen to the developing fetus

Calcium - important for the development of strong bones and teeth

Vitamin D - helps the body absorb calcium

Omega-3 fatty acids - are important for brain and eye development.

Another reason that multivitamins are important during pregnancy is that they can help prevent pregnancy complications. For example, iron deficiency can cause anaemia which is a common complication of pregnancy, and it can lead to premature birth and low birth weight.

Taking multivitamins that contain iron can help prevent this. In addition, taking multivitamins that contain folic acid can help prevent preeclampsia, which is a serious condition that can cause high blood pressure and damage to the liver and kidneys.

And whilst all of these vitamins are good for your baby, multivitamins can also help improve your overall health during pregnancy. Taking multivitamins that contain omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation in the body, which can help prevent complications such as gestational diabetes and preterm labour. Be sure that it’s suitable for pregnant women though as cod liver oil contains high levels of Vitamin A which can be harmful to a developing baby. That being said, you should aim to incorporate 2 portions of oily fish such as tuna, salmon and sardines to your weekly diet.

Whilst multivitamins can provide many benefits during pregnancy they should be part of a well-balanced diet. You should aim to eat a variety of nutritious foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy products. But watch out for foods that you can't eat when pregnant.

When choosing a multivitamin during pregnancy, it is important to look for one that is specifically formulated for pregnant women. Speak to your midwife before taking anything to ensure that it's right for you and your baby.

To find out more about bitbaby and the development of our wearable device for pregnant mothers, head on over to https://bitbaby.co.uk or to read more about multivitamins and pregnancy visit https://bitbaby.co.uk/multivitamins-during-pregnancy/