Expert nutrition for mother and baby

Pregnacare prenatal supplement is the most popular and trusted by mums to safeguard the diet of those who are planning for pregnancy or are already pregnant. A scientifically developed formulation of 19 important vitamins and minerals, Pregnacare contains 400µg folic acid and 10µg vitamin D, as advised by the UK Department of Health during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Pregnacare has been carefully developed by experts so that all ingredient levels are within safe levels for pregnancy and are moderate rather than excessive.

Recommended level of folic acid & vitamin D

The UK Department of Health recommends women planning a baby should take a supplement containing 400µg of folic acid from the start of trying to conceive until the 12th week of pregnancy. This is the exact amount of folic acid contained in Pregnacare. Supplemental folic acid intake increases maternal folate status†. Low maternal folate status is a risk factor in the development of neural tube defects in the developing foetus.Folic Acid is also beneficial beyond 12 weeks as it contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy.

Important: Some pregnancy formulas do not include the exact 10 µg vitamin D, as advised by the UK Department of Health during pregnancy and breast-feeding.

More than folic acid alone - with B12 and key minerals

Many studies show the importance of ensuring the correct intake of various vitamins and minerals throughout the entire pregnancy and as part of an aftercare plan. Pregnacare provides a range of nutrients for overall support, all at sensible, carefully balanced levels, including vitamins B2, B6 and B12 which contribute to normal red blood cell formation.

Pregnacare avoids high dose iron which is not recommended

Unlike many prenatal iron supplements, Pregnacare has been specifically formulated with an ideal, moderate level of iron. High levels of iron are not recommended unless there is a particular requirement as identified by your healthcare professional.

Before conception

Pregnacare is recommended before conception to build up the stores of nutrients such as iron in women who are trying for a baby. Good nutrition is important to help prepare a woman's body for the additional demands placed on it during pregnancy. Certain nutrients, like folic acid, vitamin B12 and zinc are also of particular importance from the very first moment of conception. Zinc contributes to normal fertility and reproduction whilst vitamin B12 contributes to normal red blood cell formation and also has a role in the process of cell division.

For all of pregnancy

Good nutritional intake is vital throughout pregnancy, not just the first 12 weeks. Pregnacare provides essential nutrients throughout pregnancy including folic acid which plays an important role during the full nine months and contributes to normal blood formation. You can start taking Pregnacare at any point during pregnancy.

Specially formulated by experts

Pregnacare has been formulated by experts to help safeguard a mother's diet during pregnancy. It provides a comprehensive spectrum of essential nutrients at carefully chosen safe levels, developed on the basis of international research. It has always contained the recommended level of 400µg folic acid**. Pregnacare is proud to work in partnership with the Royal College of Midwives to support the health of mothers and babies by raising awareness of the benefits of good nutrition.

†The beneficial effect is obtained with a supplemental folic acid daily intake of 400µg for at least one month before and up to three months after conception.

** Folic acid contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy. Pregnacare has always contained 400mcg folic acid, the level recommended for all women from the start of trying to conceive until the 12th week of pregnancy.

A healthy, varied diet is vital for new mothers, to help produce nutritious breast milk and maintain their own health during the postnatal period. Maternal breast-feeding is strongly recommended for the newborn baby as it provides essential nutrients and antibodies for long term health. Pregnacare Breast-feeding is an all-in-one pack, formulated with key specific ingredients for the postnatal period, including essential fatty acids such as DHA.

Why take Pregnacare Breast-feeding?

The formula provides the ideal follow-on product for mums after childbirth, as part of the complete Pregnacare range from conception to breast-feeding.

Pregnacare Breast-feeding is carefully formulated by experts, with essential vitamins, minerals and DHA, to help support all-round health and vitality including iron which contributes to normal energy release.

Pregnacare Breast-feeding can also be taken as a general postnatal supplement for 6-9 months following childbirth or longer if required, to replace depleted nutrients and assist the body following pregnancy, even if you are not breast-feeding.

For mothers who avoid dairy products, the formula also contains calcium which is needed for the maintenance of normal bones.

Pregnacare Breast-feeding contains 10µg vitamin D as advised by the UK Department of Health during pregnancy and breast-feeding, the full RNI of 700mg calcium and 300mg DHA, the exact level recommended by international experts*.

Careful support without excessive levels

Pregnacare Breast-feeding has been specially formulated by experts to provide sensible, balanced levels of vitamins and minerals. All ingredients have been included on the basis of scientific research with ideal amounts for breast-feeding.

Pregnacare Breast-feeding provides:

-Postnatal micronutrient tablets

700mg calcium, vitamin K & D and magnesium which contribute to the maintenance of normal bones.
Vitamin B6, niacin (vit. B3), iron and magnesium which contribute to normal energy release.
Includes 10µg vitamin D the exact level as advised by the UK Department of Health during pregnancy and breast-feeding.

- High Purity Omega-3 capsule
Each capsule provides 300mg DHA, the level recommended by international experts for mums during lactation*.

Maternal intake of DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) contributes to the normal brain and eye development of breast-fed infants**. Infants have limited capability to synthesize fatty acids, which therefore must be obtained direct from external sources such as the mother's milk.
During breast-feeding, the infant's brain continues to take up DHA and 15% of brain growth occurs after birth.
Contains the purest pharmaceutical grade fish oil, certified for sustainability by Friend of the Sea.

Even greater nutritional care for mother and baby

Pregnacare Plus dual pack provides the original fully comprehensive multivitamin tablet, which delivers the essential nutrients for pregnancy including the recommended level of 400µg folic acid and 10 µg vitamin D as advised by the UK Department of Health during pregnancy and breast-feeding, plus an additional Omega-3 capsule to provide a rich source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) which contributes to normal brain and eye development of the foetus**.

Important: Some pregnancy formulas do not include the exact 10 µg vitamin D, as advised by the UK Department of Health during pregnancy and breast-feeding.

Pregnacare Plus has been specially developed so that mothers-to-be can safeguard their extra dietary requirements, without confusion about which supplements to take.

Pregnacare Plus Provides

Pregnacare multi-nutrient tablets with 400µg Folic Acid

Pregnacare Tablets contain a careful formulation of 19 nutrients important for both mother and baby. Pregnacare has been carefully developed by experts so that all ingredient levels are within safe levels for pregnancy and are moderate rather than excessive. These include vitamin B12, plus vitamin D and folic acid at the exact level recommended for the development of the unborn baby. Supplemental folic acid intake increases maternal folate status†. Low maternal folate status is a risk factor in the development of neural tube defects in the developing foetus.

Omega-3 capsules with 300mg DHA

The capsules contain high purity fish oil, which are a rich source of the important Omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA. DHA is especially important during pregnancy as it contributes to normal brain and eye development of the foetus**.

One Pregnacare Omega-3 capsule per day provides 300 mg DHA, the exact level recommended by international experts in lipid nutrition*** for pregnant and lactating women, plus 60mg EPA.

The Pregnacare Plus Omega 3 capsule contains the purest pharmaceutical grade fish oil, certified for sustainability by Friend of the Sea. The capsules do not contain fish oil sourced from tuna, shark, marlin or swordfish. The UK FSA advises pregnant women, and women intending to become pregnant to avoid shark, marlin and swordfish and not to eat large amounts of tuna.

Vitamin D in Pregnancy

The UK Department of Health advises a supplement of 10µg vitamin D during pregnancy and breast-feeding, which is the exact amount found in Pregnacare.

Vitamin E in Pregnancy

Vitamin E contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. Pregnacare contains a low recommended dietary intake of 4mg. This is present in the natural form which is better absorbed by the mother than synthetic vitamin E.

The Importance of Omega-3 fatty acids

Adults can obtain DHA and EPA indirectly through the conversion of the essential fatty acid alpha-linoleic acid (ALA), present in vegetable oils such as linseed but this process is very inefficient. Fish oils provide a much more reliable, direct source of DHA and EPA. The foetus and infant in early life need to receive these fatty acids directly as they only have a limited capability to convert essential fatty acids to more active long chain fatty acids such as DHA.

Brain and eye development

DHA is the predominant fatty acid in the central nervous system, found in the structural walls of brain cells. Amazingly, the foetal brain is made up of 60% fats of which 40% is DHA. There is a large increase in DHA uptake by the foetus and a corresponding increase in cerebral DHA content during the last trimester of pregnancy and the first post natal months.1,2 At birth the baby's brain weight is about 70% of an adult's brain weight; 15% of brain growth occurs during infancy and the pre-school years.

DHA is important throughout this period of development.3 DHA is found in even greater concentrations in the retina, where it contributes up to 60% of the fatty acid content.