Supplements During Pregnancy: Are You Taking the Right Ones?
When it comes to pregnancy, most women know they should be taking a prenatal supplement, but how do you know if you’re taking the right one?
The most common choice on the market is Elevit, and while it’s popular, popularity doesn’t always equal quality.
Elevit vs Functional Prenatals
Elevit contains synthetic folic acid, a form that many women (especially those with the MTHFR gene mutation- which affects 60-70% of us) can’t effectively convert into usable folate. Activated folate (also known as 5-MTHF or methylfolate) is the form your body can use straight away, with no conversion needed.
This is crucial in pregnancy because folate supports neural tube development in your baby, particularly in the early weeks. If your body struggles to convert folic acid, you may be missing out on the benefits entirely.
Iron: Not All Forms Are Equal
Elevit is also high in iron, but not necessarily the kind your body absorbs well. The iron used in many mainstream supplements can lead to constipation, nausea, and other unwanted side effects.
Instead, look for prenatal supplements with iron bisglycinate, a gentler form that’s easier to absorb and less likely to cause tummy troubles. Pregnancy and iron absorption is a key concern, especially as your blood volume increases, so the form of iron matters more than the amount.
What Should You Look for in a Good Prenatal?
When choosing a quality prenatal supplement, we suggest looking for:
✅ Activated folate (5-MTHF)
✅ Bioavailable iron (like iron bisglycinate)
✅ Choline for baby’s brain development
✅ Iodine for thyroid function
✅ Magnesium to support muscle and nervous system health
✅ Vitamin D3 for bone and immune support
✅ B12 (methylcobalamin) for energy and red blood cell production
These nutrients help support not just your growing baby, but your own energy, digestion, and recovery during and after birth.
One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Every pregnancy is unique. Nutritional needs can vary depending on your diet, stress levels, digestive health, and even your ability to absorb nutrients. This is where a tailored approach can make a world of difference.
At Tugun Osteopathy, we see many women through different stages of pregnancy and postpartum. While we don’t prescribe supplements ourselves, we work closely with naturopaths, integrative GPs and dieticians who can help ensure you’re getting what your body needs.
Natural Support, Holistic Care
Our approach to pregnancy care is holistic. We believe your supplements should support the rest of your lifestyle, not make you feel worse.
Just because a product is well-known doesn’t mean it’s well-suited to your body. Always read the label and consider speaking to a health professional who understands both nutrient bioavailability and your unique needs (i.e a naturopath like Paige at Habitual Wellness or Megan at the biomedical naturopath).
We would love to support you on your pregnancy journey. Call us today, we're here to help.