Are any vitamins at all significant for pregnant women – which ones before and which ones during pregnancy?
Mia Hoffmann
2026-03-17
5 min. read
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An adequate preparation for pregnancy and a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy have a significant impact on the health of the future offspring. Even before conception, a woman's body requires about 3 months to prepare for the new role. During this time, it can accumulate reserves of desired vitamins and minerals, as well as rid itself of harmful substances [1]. On which vitamins is it worth focusing before and during pregnancy to ensure the health of both mother and child?
Folic acid prior to planned pregnancy
According to the recommendations of the Polish Gynecological Society, women planning pregnancy should take folic acid supplements. These should be taken orally at least six weeks before the planned conception. The recommended daily dose is 0.4 mg. Among women who take the recommended dose of folic acid, the risk of open neural tube defects in the child is reduced by 72%. It is important to note that in certain cases, the dose of folic acid should be increased, such as in women with megaloblastic anemia, those using hormonal contraception before pregnancy, those taking antiepileptic drugs, smokers, obese individuals, and those with hyperhomocysteinemia due to MTHFR mutation.
Nutritional supplements during pregnancy
Folic acid intake should be continued until the end of the organogenesis phase, i.e. up to 8-10 weeks of pregnancy. Supplementation can help prevent folic acid deficiency, which could lead to an increased risk of central nervous system defects, heart defects, and malnutrition, as well as a higher risk of heart disease and stroke. In pregnant women with an increased incidence of acute insufficient progenitor cell carcinoma, nutritional supplements can help prevent the occurrence of the so-called prenatal metabolic deficiency. It also increases the risk for the development of blood sugar deficiency in women with a deficiency in essential fatty acids, and may lead to a decrease in the rate of weight loss in underweight pregnant women and other metabolic disorders.