Food supplements for pregnancy

According to healthcare professionals, the nutritional needs of the expectant mother increase significantly during pregnancy, both for the development and good health of the baby and for the proper development of the placenta. Whilst their primary advice is to adopt a varied and balanced diet, certain essential micronutrients, such as vitamin B9, vitamin D, and iron, may be usefully supplemented through targeted supplementation, particularly due to the increasing processing of foods.

Prenatal vitamin supplementation helps to support the expectant mother's immune system. The French College of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF) and the French National Authority for Health (HAS) recommend vitamin B9 supplementation from the moment pregnancy is planned, and vitamin D supplementation throughout the entire pregnancy.

It is recommended to start taking pregnancy vitamins as soon as you plan to conceive. Along with a balanced diet, they will help build up essential nutrient reserves, making conception a more serene experience.
Throughout the 9 months of pregnancy, taking dedicated food supplements will provide certain essential vitamins or minerals, such as vitamin B9 or vitamin D. These are crucial to prevent deficiencies in pregnant women and ensure proper fetal growth.
To support new mothers after pregnancy, Boome also offers a range of postpartum products.

While every woman is different and therefore has specific needs during pregnancy, the Collège des Gynécologues-Obstétriciens Français (CNGOF) and the Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) agree to recommend vitamin B9 and vitamin D supplementation for expectant mothers.

What is vitamin B9 used for? For any pregnancy plan, vitamin B9, also known as folic acid, supplementation is recommended 4 weeks before conception and up to 8 weeks after, with a recommended dose of 400 µg per day. Folic acid is involved in all growth and cell division processes and helps reduce the risk of nervous system malformations, particularly of the neural tube (such as spina bifida). In France, nearly 75% of women of childbearing age have insufficient nutritional intake of vitamin B9.
Vitamin D supplementation is also recommended for pregnant women by the Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) to prevent risks associated with deficiency.

However, other nutrients are also essential during pregnancy, such as choline, iodine, and magnesium. Your healthcare professional may also prescribe a blood test to check for any deficiencies, particularly iron deficiency. If you are anemic, they may prescribe an iron supplement.

Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, is essential for the healthy development of the fetus and is crucial even before conception. Beyond helping to reduce the risk of birth defects in the baby's nervous system, folic acid plays a fundamental role overall in DNA synthesis and cell division, a process that occurs during the first weeks of pregnancy. A deficiency in this vitamin can increase the risk of congenital malformations (such as neural tube defects). This is why supplementation is recommended in addition to a diet rich in plant-based folates (green vegetables, legumes) to build up sufficient reserves that will enable the expectant mother's body to support her baby's growth from the very first weeks.

Pregnancy requires special attention to consumption habits. It's essential to eliminate alcohol and drastically reduce caffeine intake. Regarding diet, avoid eating raw or undercooked meats, fish, and eggs, as well as certain raw milk cheeses, to protect against the risks of listeriosis and toxoplasmosis. For personal care, it's advisable to be wary of cosmetics containing endocrine disruptors, such as certain phthalates or parabens. It's always wise to check the ingredient list or seek advice from a healthcare professional if in doubt. In this spirit of caution, Boome's natural pregnancy supplement collection is a logical choice for healthy supplementation that harmonizes any deficiencies in your diet.