Pregnancy is a stressful condition involving numerous physical and mental changes in the mother’s body as the fetus develops. Tissues in the breasts and uterus increase, the blood supply increases, there is a frequent urge to urinate, there is slight nausea in the morning or even later in the day, the menstrual period is absent and the need for sleep and fluids increases. Because of these changes, all nutritional needs are increased and the condition of both mother and child can be improved by nutritional supplementation.⁽¹⁾

Evidence suggests that the fetus competes with the mother for available nutrients. If the mother’s intake of nutrients is inadequate, the child will suffer the consequences which could be severe and permanent. Lack of any vitamin, mineral or enzyme in the mother will deprive the fetus of necessary building materials. Any shortage can result in a stillbirth, a premature delivery, low birth weight, weak immunity or brain damage including impaired intelligence and psychological disturbances.⁽¹⁾

Preparation for lactation begins during early pregnancy. The higher the mother’s intake of vitamins, minerals, protein and unsaturated fatty acids, the more these nutrients will appear in her milk. The end results of proper prenatal nutrition are a more comfortable pregnancy, an easier delivery, a healthier baby and a greater chance of successfully breast-feeding the baby.⁽¹⁾

Deficiencies of a number of nutrients have been linked to increased risk of miscarriage and to birth defects. The U.S. Public Health Service recommended in September, 1992, that all women of childbearing age consume 400 mcg. of folic acid daily to reduce their risk of having a pregnancy affected with spina bifida or other neural tube defects. Approximately 2,500 infants are born each year in the U.S. with a neural tube defect and about half of those are thought to be related to inadequate folic acid intake by the mother.⁽³⁾

Since neural tube defects develop very early in pregnancy (18-30 days after conception), often before a woman knows she is pregnant, it is essential that adequate intake of folic acid be maintained throughout the childbearing years.⁽³⁾ The need for folic acid increases to at least double during pregnancy. The fetus, meeting its need for rapid growth, easily depletes the mother’s reserves. In addition to neural tube defects, folic acid deficiency may lead to miscarriage, toxemia, premature birth, afterbirth hemorrhaging, megaloblastic anemia in both mother and child and other birth defects such as cleft palate.⁽¹⁾ Low maternal zinc levels have also been associated with central nervous system abnormalities in infants, including neural tube defects.⁽⁴⁾

Vitamin A deficiency can cause an inability to conceive and a higher susceptibility to miscarriage. In animal studies, females that were deficient in vitamin A, yet able to conceive, still had problems such as difficult births, death of the fetus, cleft palate or other congenital defects.⁽¹⁾

Studies show that women susceptible to miscarriage may be able to carry to full term if sufficient amounts of vitamin C are taken along with bioflavonoids. Vitamin E and iron have also been shown to be helpful in reducing the risk of miscarriage and fetal malformation. Iodine deficiency during pregnancy may cause mental retardation.⁽¹⁾ Deficiencies of a number of nutrients have been associated with pre-term delivery and/or low birth weight including: folic acid, niacin, thiamin, vitamin E, calcium, chromium, copper, magnesium and zinc.⁽⁴⁾

Protein, calcium and iron are especially important for the development of bones, soft tissues and the blood supply. Vitamin D and magnesium are needed to ensure proper absorption and utilization of calcium and phosphorus.⁽¹⁾ Zinc is an extremely important mineral for the growing fetus, needed for the development of healthy skin, bones and teeth.⁽²⁾

Optimal nutrition during pregnancy is necessary, not only for development of a healthy baby, but also for the health and well-being of the mother.

The growing baby will use up a lot of iron from the mother’s supply, especially during the last two months of pregnancy.⁽²⁾ It is highly unlikely that pregnant women can get enough iron to prevent deficiency from diet alone.⁽⁵⁾ Supplementary iron is needed to prevent anemia in both mother and baby and to guard the mother against excessive blood loss during birth. Vitamin C and bioflavonoids also help prevent excessive bleeding by strengthening blood vessels.⁽¹⁾

The need for calcium increases greatly during the last three months as the baby takes what it needs for forming healthy bones and teeth. A lack of it will cause leg and foot cramps in the mother and susceptibility to tooth decay.⁽²⁾ Nervousness, insomnia and muscle cramps may be a sign of calcium, magnesium or vitamin B-6 deficiency. Calcium and the B-complex vitamins help to normalize emotional states that occur frequently during pregnancy. Calcium is known to decrease sensitivity to pain and may ease labor pains. Taking 2,000 mg. of calcium between the beginning of labor and arrival at the hospital has resulted in easier delivery for many women. Vitamin D is needed to insure proper absorption of calcium.⁽¹⁾

Nausea and morning sickness generally respond to additional B vitamins, particularly vitamin B-6. Vitamin B-6 is also effective in regulating fluid retention. Vitamins C and E also have diuretic actions.⁽¹⁾

Vitamin E aids the development of the reproductive system and is needed for a healthy and well-toned uterus. During pregnancy the daily requirement for this vitamin is doubled.⁽²⁾ Vitamin E also has desensitizing properties and increases the elasticity and expandability of the vaginal tissues which can make delivery easier and less painful.⁽¹⁾ High doses of vitamin E should be used with caution because the vitamin can increase blood pressure in those who are prone to hypertension.⁽²⁾

Pre-eclampsia is a complication of pregnancy characterized by hypertension, edema and/or proteinuria. When the condition progresses to include convulsions and/or coma, it is called eclampsia. Multiple vitamin and mineral supplements during pregnancy have been shown to reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia. Low levels of vitamin A, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium and potassium are often seen in patients with this condition.⁽⁴⁾

M.C.H.C. Caps #834 or M.C.H.C Tablets #861 are recommended as highly bioavailable forms of calcium. Magnezyme #403 is an excellent magnesium supplement.

WARNING: This publication and the product contained herein have not been approved or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This publication and the products contained herein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. The product relates to nutritional support only.

Four capsules daily supply: % Daily Value

Vitamin A (as beta carotene) 8000 I.U. 160%
Vitamin C (calcium ascorbate) 150 mg. 250%
Vitamin D-3 400 I.U. 100%
Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopheryl succinate) 50 I.U. 167%
Thiamin (vitamin B-1) 5 mg. 333%
Riboflavin (vitamin B-2) 5 mg. 294%
Niacinamide (vitamin B-3) 30 mg. 150%
Vitamin B-6 15 mg. 750%
Folic Acid 800 mcg. 200%
Vitamin B-12 500 mcg. 8333%
Biotin 200 mcg. 67%
Pantothenic Acid (calcium pantothenate) 20 mg. 200 %
Calcium (as microcrystalline hydroxyappatite and calcium citrate) 250 mg. 25%
Iron (as iron peptonate) 30 mg. 167%
Iodine (from sea kelp) 150 mcg. 100%
Magnesium (as magnesium amino acid chelate) 75 mg. 19%
Zinc (as zinc amino acid chelate) 20 mg. 133%
Selenium (as seleno-L-methionine) 12 mcg. 17%
Copper (as amino acid chelate) 1 mg. 50%
Manganese (as manganese ascorbate) 3 mg. 150%
Chromium (as chromium nicotinate) 25 mcg. 21%
Molybdenum (as molybdenum amino acid chelate) 25 mcg. 33%
Potassium (as potassium aspartate) 15 mg. <1%
Betatene (mixed carotenoids) 26 mg. *
Inositol 50 mg. *
Choline (as choline bitartrate) 16 mg. *
Quercetin 25 mg. *

Other ingredients: rice flour, magnesium stearate, gelatin. *Daily Value not established.

Recommended Use: Two capsules twice daily.