Pregnancy Nutrition & Natural Support: The Complete Guide from Preconception to Postpartum

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Pregnancy is one of the most nutritionally demanding periods of a woman's life — and the preparation that happens before conception may be just as important as what happens during it. This guide covers everything you need to know about optimising your body for conception, supporting a healthy pregnancy naturally, and recovering well postpartum — including how conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, and thyroid dysfunction affect your journey.

Why Preconception Nutrition Matters

The science of developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) tells us that the nutritional environment a baby experiences in the womb — and even in the months before conception — shapes their health for decades. Egg quality takes approximately 90 days to develop (one full follicular cycle), meaning what you eat and how you live three months before conception directly influences the quality of the egg that becomes your baby.

Similarly, sperm take approximately 74 days to mature — meaning paternal nutrition matters too, though this guide focuses primarily on maternal health.

The preconception window (ideally 3–6 months before trying to conceive) is the highest-leverage time to:

• Optimise nutrient stores that are difficult to replenish once pregnant
• Address hormonal imbalances (PCOS, thyroid, endometriosis)
• Reduce inflammation and oxidative stress
• Support healthy methylation and DNA synthesis
• Establish a diverse, resilient gut microbiome

Hormonal Conditions & Fertility: What You Need to Know

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS affects 8–13% of women of reproductive age and is the leading cause of anovulatory infertility. It is fundamentally a metabolic and hormonal disorder driven primarily by insulin resistance and androgen excess.

How PCOS affects pregnancy:

• Irregular or absent ovulation makes conception difficult
• Higher risk of miscarriage (particularly in the first trimester)
• Elevated risk of gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, and preterm birth
• Babies of mothers with PCOS have higher rates of large-for-gestational-age (LGA) birth weight

Key natural strategies for PCOS preconception:

• Reduce insulin resistance through low-glycaemic diet, exercise, and targeted supplementation (inositol, berberine, magnesium)
• Myo-inositol (2–4g/day) + D-chiro-inositol (50–100mg/day) — the most evidence-backed natural intervention for PCOS; improves ovulation rates, egg quality, and insulin sensitivity
• Reduce androgens naturally via spearmint tea (2 cups/day), zinc, and saw palmetto
• Address gut dysbiosis — PCOS is strongly associated with altered microbiome composition

Endometriosis

Endometriosis affects approximately 10% of women of reproductive age and is a leading cause of infertility, affecting up to 50% of women with fertility challenges. It is fundamentally an inflammatory, immune-mediated condition driven by oestrogen dominance, immune dysfunction, and oxidative stress.

How endometriosis affects pregnancy:

• Reduced ovarian reserve and egg quality
• Impaired implantation due to altered uterine environment
• Higher risk of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and preterm birth
• Increased risk of placenta praevia and caesarean delivery

Key natural strategies for endometriosis preconception:

• Anti-inflammatory diet — Mediterranean pattern; eliminate gluten and dairy (both shown to reduce endometriosis pain and inflammation in clinical studies)
• Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA) — reduce prostaglandin-driven inflammation and pain
• N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) — clinical trials show NAC reduces endometrioma size and improves fertility outcomes
• Resveratrol — inhibits endometrial cell proliferation and reduces inflammation
• Reduce oestrogen dominance: support liver detoxification (DIM, calcium-d-glucarate, cruciferous vegetables), reduce xenoestrogen exposure (BPA, phthalates)
• Curcumin — inhibits NF-κB and reduces endometrial lesion growth in multiple studies

Thyroid Dysfunction

Thyroid health is critical for fertility and pregnancy. Thyroid hormone is essential for ovulation, implantation, placental development, and foetal brain development — particularly in the first trimester before the foetal thyroid is functional (around week 12).

How thyroid dysfunction affects pregnancy:

• Hypothyroidism (including subclinical) increases risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, gestational hypertension, and impaired foetal neurodevelopment
• Hashimoto's thyroiditis (autoimmune hypothyroidism) is the most common thyroid condition in women of reproductive age
• Hyperthyroidism (including Graves' disease) increases risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, and foetal growth restriction
• Even subclinical hypothyroidism (TSH >2.5 mIU/L) is associated with reduced fertility and increased miscarriage risk

Key natural strategies for thyroid preconception:

• Optimise TSH to <2.5 mIU/L before conception (ideally <2.0 mIU/L)
• Ensure adequate iodine (150mcg/day preconception; 220mcg/day in pregnancy) — iodine is essential for thyroid hormone synthesis
• Selenium (200mcg/day) — reduces thyroid antibodies (TPO-Ab) in Hashimoto's; essential for T4→T3 conversion
• Zinc — cofactor for thyroid hormone synthesis and conversion
• Avoid goitrogenic foods in excess (raw cruciferous vegetables, soy) if hypothyroid
• Address gut health — Hashimoto's is strongly associated with intestinal permeability ("leaky gut") and gut dysbiosis
• Vitamin D — deficiency is strongly associated with autoimmune thyroid disease; optimise to 100–150 nmol/L

Essential Nutrients in Pregnancy: The Complete Guide

Folate / Methylfolate

The most well-known pregnancy nutrient — and for good reason. Folate is essential for neural tube closure (which occurs at 3–4 weeks gestation, often before a woman knows she is pregnant), DNA synthesis, and cell division.

Critical distinction: Up to 40–60% of the population carries variants of the MTHFR gene that impair the conversion of folic acid (synthetic) to the active form (5-methyltetrahydrofolate/5-MTHF). For these women, standard folic acid supplements may be inadequate.

• Recommended form: 5-MTHF (methylfolate) — the bioactive form that bypasses MTHFR variants
• Dose: 400–800mcg/day preconception; 600–800mcg/day in pregnancy
• Food sources: Dark leafy greens (spinach, rocket, kale), legumes, avocado, asparagus, broccoli
• Start: At least 3 months before conception

Iodine

Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone synthesis, which drives foetal brain development — particularly in the first trimester. Iodine deficiency is the leading preventable cause of intellectual disability worldwide.

New Zealand soils are iodine-depleted, making supplementation particularly important for NZ women.

• Dose: 150mcg/day preconception; 220mcg/day in pregnancy; 290mcg/day breastfeeding
• Food sources: Seaweed (nori, wakame), seafood, dairy (from iodised feed), iodised salt
• Note: Most prenatal vitamins contain iodine — check your label

Iron

Iron requirements increase dramatically in pregnancy — blood volume expands by 40–50%, and the foetus and placenta have high iron demands. Iron deficiency anaemia is the most common nutritional deficiency in pregnancy globally, affecting up to 40% of pregnant women.

• Dose: 27mg/day in pregnancy (vs 18mg/day non-pregnant)
• Food sources: Red meat, organ meats (liver), legumes, dark leafy greens, tofu
• Absorption tips: Pair with vitamin C; avoid calcium, tea, and coffee within 1 hour of iron-rich meals
• Forms: Ferrous bisglycinate is the best-tolerated supplemental form (less constipation than ferrous sulphate)
• Test: Ferritin levels ideally >30 mcg/L preconception; >50 mcg/L is optimal

Omega-3 Fatty Acids (DHA & EPA)

DHA is the primary structural fat in the foetal brain and retina — 60% of the brain is fat, and DHA makes up 15–20% of the cerebral cortex. DHA accumulates rapidly in the foetal brain in the third trimester and continues through the first two years of life.

• Dose: 200–300mg DHA/day minimum in pregnancy; 1–2g DHA/day for optimal foetal brain development
• Food sources: Oily fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel, anchovies) — aim for 2–3 servings/week
• Mercury note: Avoid high-mercury fish (shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish); choose low-mercury options
• Plant-based: ALA from flaxseed, chia, and walnuts converts poorly to DHA (<5%); algae-based DHA is the preferred plant-based option

Choline

Choline is critical for foetal brain development, neural tube closure, and placental function — yet it is dramatically underrepresented in standard prenatal vitamins. Most contain little to no choline despite requirements nearly doubling in pregnancy.

• Dose: 450mg/day in pregnancy; 550mg/day breastfeeding
• Food sources: Eggs (294mg per 2 eggs), beef liver, salmon, chicken, broccoli
• Note: MTHFR variants increase choline requirements — these women need more choline to compensate for impaired methylation

Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy is associated with increased risk of pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, low birth weight, and impaired foetal immune and bone development. New Zealand has high rates of vitamin D deficiency, particularly in winter months.

• Dose: 1500–2000 IU/day minimum; many practitioners recommend 3000–4000 IU/day in pregnancy
• Test: 25-OH vitamin D; aim for 100–150 nmol/L
• Pair with: Vitamin K2 (MK-7 form) for optimal calcium metabolism

Magnesium

Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions and is essential for foetal bone and nervous system development. Deficiency is extremely common in pregnancy and is associated with leg cramps, sleep disturbance, constipation, and increased risk of pre-eclampsia and preterm labour.

• Dose: 350–400mg/day in pregnancy
• Best forms: Magnesium glycinate (sleep, anxiety, muscle cramps), magnesium citrate (constipation)
• Food sources: Dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds, legumes, dark chocolate

Zinc

Zinc is essential for DNA synthesis, cell division, immune function, and foetal growth. Deficiency is associated with increased risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, low birth weight, and congenital abnormalities.

• Dose: 11mg/day in pregnancy (RDI); 15–25mg/day therapeutically if deficient
• Food sources: Red meat, shellfish (oysters are the richest source), pumpkin seeds, legumes, nuts
• Note: Zinc and iron compete for absorption — take separately if supplementing both

Calcium

Essential for foetal bone and teeth development. If maternal calcium intake is inadequate, the foetus will draw calcium from maternal bones — increasing long-term osteoporosis risk.

• Dose: 1000mg/day in pregnancy
• Food sources: Dairy, fortified plant milks, sardines (with bones), leafy greens (kale, bok choy), almonds, tofu
• Note: Take calcium and iron supplements at different times of day — they compete for absorption

Vitamin B12

B12 is essential for neurological development, DNA synthesis, and red blood cell formation. Deficiency is particularly common in vegetarians, vegans, and those with gut absorption issues (low stomach acid, SIBO, Crohn's disease).

• Dose: 2.6mcg/day (RDI); 500–1000mcg/day supplementally if deficient or plant-based
• Best forms: Methylcobalamin or adenosylcobalamin (active forms); avoid cyanocobalamin
• Food sources: Meat, fish, eggs, dairy

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

B6 is one of the most evidence-backed nutrients for pregnancy nausea and vomiting (morning sickness). It is also essential for amino acid metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, and immune function.

• Dose: 1.9mg/day (RDI); 10–25mg 3x/day for nausea management
• Food sources: Poultry, fish, potatoes, bananas, chickpeas

Vitamin K2

Works synergistically with vitamin D and calcium to direct calcium into bones and teeth (rather than soft tissues). Important for foetal bone development and maternal cardiovascular health.

• Dose: 90–200mcg/day (MK-7 form)
• Food sources: Natto (fermented soy), hard cheeses, egg yolks, grass-fed butter

Probiotics

The maternal gut microbiome is transferred to the baby during vaginal birth and breastfeeding — it is the founding microbiome that shapes the child's immune system, metabolic health, and even neurological development for life. Caesarean-born babies miss this transfer and benefit particularly from probiotic supplementation.

• Strains: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Lactobacillus reuteri are the most studied in pregnancy
• Benefits: Reduce risk of gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, Group B Streptococcus colonisation, and infant eczema and allergies
• Dose: 10–50 billion CFU/day; multi-strain formula

Trimester-by-Trimester Guide

First Trimester (Weeks 1–12)

What's happening: Neural tube closes (weeks 3–4), all major organs begin forming, placenta develops, foetal heartbeat established.

Key nutritional priorities:

• Methylfolate — neural tube closure is complete by week 6; this is non-negotiable
• Iodine — foetal brain development begins; foetus entirely dependent on maternal thyroid hormones until week 12
• Choline — supports neural tube closure and early brain development
• Vitamin B6 — manages nausea (extremely common; affects 70–80% of pregnant women)
• Ginger — 1–1.5g/day of ginger (capsules, tea, or fresh) is as effective as vitamin B6 for nausea in clinical trials
• Stay hydrated — dehydration worsens nausea significantly

Common challenges:

• Nausea and vomiting: Eat small, frequent meals; avoid empty stomach; cold foods often better tolerated; ginger + B6 combination is highly effective
• Fatigue: Iron and B12 deficiency worsen fatigue; ensure adequate protein and complex carbohydrates
• Food aversions: Common and normal; focus on what you can tolerate; supplement gaps

Supplements to prioritise:

• Prenatal multivitamin with methylfolate (not folic acid)
• DHA 200–300mg minimum
• Iodine 220mcg
• Vitamin D 2000–3000 IU
• Ginger capsules (if nausea)
• Magnesium glycinate (if constipation or sleep issues)

Second Trimester (Weeks 13–26)

What's happening: Rapid foetal growth, bone mineralisation begins, foetal movement felt, placenta fully functional.

Key nutritional priorities:

• Calcium and vitamin D — bone mineralisation accelerates
• Iron — blood volume expansion peaks; anaemia risk highest
• Protein — foetal muscle and organ growth; aim for 70–100g/day
• DHA — brain and retinal development accelerates
• Magnesium — leg cramps common as foetus grows

Common challenges:

• Heartburn/reflux: Eat smaller meals; avoid lying down after eating; elevate head of bed; slippery elm, aloe vera juice, and digestive enzymes can help
• Constipation: Increase fibre, water, and magnesium citrate; probiotics help
• Round ligament pain: Normal; gentle stretching and magnesium can help
• Gestational diabetes screening: Typically at 24–28 weeks; optimise blood sugar through diet (low-glycaemic, adequate protein and fat) and exercise

Supplements to prioritise:

• Continue prenatal multivitamin
• Iron (if ferritin low — test at 16–20 weeks)
• Calcium 1000mg/day (if dietary intake insufficient)
• Magnesium glycinate 300–400mg/day
• Probiotic

Third Trimester (Weeks 27–40)

What's happening: Rapid weight gain, DHA accumulation in foetal brain peaks, lung maturation, immune transfer via placenta, foetal iron stores built.

Key nutritional priorities:

• DHA — the most critical trimester for brain fat accumulation; increase to 1–2g/day
• Iron — foetal iron stores are built in the last 6–8 weeks; maternal stores must be adequate
• Vitamin K2 — foetal bone mineralisation peaks
• Collagen/glycine — supports perineal tissue elasticity and reduces tearing risk
• Raspberry leaf tea — traditionally used from 32–36 weeks to tone uterine muscle; some evidence for shorter labour duration; discuss with midwife

Common challenges:

• Sleep disruption: Magnesium glycinate before bed; pregnancy pillow; avoid screens; left-side sleeping improves placental blood flow
• Oedema (swelling): Ensure adequate protein; reduce sodium; elevate legs; stay hydrated (counterintuitively, dehydration worsens oedema)
• Pelvic girdle pain: Physiotherapy; magnesium; avoid asymmetrical movements
• Pre-eclampsia risk: Magnesium, calcium, vitamin D, and omega-3s all reduce risk; monitor blood pressure

Supplements to prioritise:

• Continue all previous supplements
• Increase DHA to 1–2g/day
• Vitamin K2 100–200mcg/day
• Collagen peptides 10–15g/day
• Raspberry leaf tea (from 32–36 weeks, with midwife guidance)

Natural Management of Common Pregnancy Symptoms

Morning Sickness / Nausea

• Ginger — 1–1.5g/day; as effective as vitamin B6 in RCTs; ginger tea, capsules, or fresh ginger
• Vitamin B6 — 10–25mg 3x/day; first-line recommendation in many guidelines
• Magnesium — deficiency worsens nausea; glycinate form
• Acupressure — P6 (Neiguan) point on the wrist; sea-bands are a simple, evidence-backed option
• Acupuncture — multiple RCTs support efficacy for pregnancy nausea
• Dietary: Small, frequent meals; protein with every meal; cold foods; avoid triggers

Heartburn & Reflux

• Slippery elm — demulcent; coats and soothes oesophageal and gastric mucosa; safe in pregnancy
• Aloe vera juice — reduces gastric acid and inflammation; use decolourised, purified form
• Digestive enzymes — support complete digestion and reduce fermentation
• Dietary: Smaller meals; avoid lying down within 2 hours of eating; elevate head of bed 15–20cm; avoid spicy, fatty, and acidic foods

Constipation

• Magnesium citrate — osmotic effect; gentle and safe in pregnancy
• Psyllium husk — soluble fibre; increases stool bulk; take with plenty of water
• Probiotics — improve gut motility and microbiome diversity
• Dietary: Increase water, fibre (fruits, vegetables, legumes), and movement

Leg Cramps

• Magnesium glycinate — most effective natural intervention; 300–400mg before bed
• Calcium — deficiency contributes to cramping
• Potassium — banana, avocado, sweet potato
• Hydration — dehydration is a common trigger

Gestational Diabetes Prevention & Management

• Low-glycaemic diet — prioritise protein, healthy fats, and fibre with every meal; avoid refined carbohydrates and sugar
• Myo-inositol — 4g/day significantly reduces gestational diabetes risk in high-risk women (RCT evidence)
• Magnesium — improves insulin sensitivity; deficiency increases GDM risk
• Chromium — improves glucose tolerance; 200–400mcg/day
• Exercise — 30 minutes of moderate activity daily significantly reduces GDM risk and improves glucose control
• Probiotics — reduce GDM risk by improving insulin sensitivity and gut microbiome

Pre-Eclampsia Prevention

• Calcium — 1000–1500mg/day reduces pre-eclampsia risk by up to 50% in calcium-deficient women (WHO recommendation)
• Magnesium — reduces risk and is the standard treatment for eclamptic seizures
• Vitamin D — deficiency is a major risk factor; optimise to 100–150 nmol/L
• Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) — reduces systemic inflammation and improves endothelial function
• Low-dose aspirin — recommended by many guidelines for high-risk women from 12 weeks; discuss with your LMC

Herbal Medicine in Pregnancy

Herbal medicine in pregnancy requires particular care — some herbs are contraindicated, while others are well-supported by evidence and traditional use.

Safe and Beneficial Herbs

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) — Safe throughout pregnancy; evidence-backed for nausea; anti-inflammatory; supports digestion. Dose: 1–1.5g/day.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) — Gentle nervine; supports sleep and anxiety; anti-inflammatory; safe in moderate amounts. Avoid excessive quantities.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) — Calming nervine; reduces anxiety and supports sleep; safe in pregnancy.

Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) — Demulcent; safe for heartburn and constipation in pregnancy.

Red raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus) — Uterine tonic; traditionally used from 32–36 weeks to prepare the uterus for labour; some evidence for shorter active labour phase. Avoid in first trimester.

Lavender — Aromatherapy use is safe; reduces anxiety and supports sleep.

Herbs to Avoid in Pregnancy

• Blue cohosh, black cohosh — uterine stimulants; risk of miscarriage
• Pennyroyal — abortifacient
• Tansy, mugwort, wormwood — uterine stimulants
• High-dose liquorice root — may affect foetal cortisol; avoid therapeutic doses
• Dong quai — uterine stimulant
• High-dose turmeric/curcumin supplements — culinary amounts are safe; avoid high-dose supplements in first trimester
• Valerian — insufficient safety data; avoid

Postpartum Recovery & Nutrition

The postpartum period — particularly the first 12 weeks — is a critical window for maternal recovery, breastfeeding establishment, and prevention of postpartum depression.

Key Postpartum Nutritional Priorities

Iron — Blood loss during birth depletes iron stores significantly. Postpartum anaemia is extremely common and is a major contributor to postpartum fatigue and depression. Test ferritin at 6 weeks postpartum; supplement aggressively if low.

DHA — Breastmilk DHA content directly reflects maternal intake. Continue 1–2g DHA/day throughout breastfeeding for optimal infant brain development.

Iodine — Requirements increase to 290mcg/day during breastfeeding — the highest of any life stage. Breastmilk iodine directly supports infant thyroid function and brain development.

Choline — Requirements increase to 550mg/day during breastfeeding. Breastmilk choline supports infant brain development.

Vitamin D — Breastmilk is a poor source of vitamin D; breastfed infants typically require supplementation (400 IU/day). Maternal supplementation of 4000–6400 IU/day can adequately supply breastmilk vitamin D.

Protein — Breastfeeding requires an additional 15–20g protein/day above baseline. Prioritise high-quality protein at every meal.

Collagen/glycine — Supports tissue repair, wound healing (perineal tears, caesarean incision), and joint recovery.

Postpartum Depression: Nutritional Factors

Postpartum depression (PPD) affects 10–15% of new mothers and is significantly influenced by nutritional status. Key factors include:

• Iron deficiency — strongly associated with PPD; treat aggressively
• DHA deficiency — low DHA is consistently associated with higher PPD rates; the brain is depleted of DHA during pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Vitamin D deficiency — independently associated with PPD
• Thyroid dysfunction — postpartum thyroiditis affects 5–10% of women; can present as depression, anxiety, fatigue, and weight changes at 1–6 months postpartum; test TSH, free T3, free T4, and TPO antibodies
• Magnesium — deficiency worsens anxiety and depression; glycinate form
• B vitamins — B6, B12, and folate are essential for serotonin and dopamine synthesis
• Saffron — 30mg/day has demonstrated antidepressant effects comparable to low-dose SSRIs in clinical trials; safe during breastfeeding

Supporting Milk Supply

• Hydration — the single most important factor; aim for 2.5–3L/day
• Adequate calories — breastfeeding requires 400–500 extra calories/day; undereating suppresses milk supply
• Galactagogue herbs:
  • Fenugreek — most studied; 1–3g 3x/day; can cause maple syrup odour in urine/sweat; avoid if PCOS (may worsen insulin resistance)
  • Blessed thistle — often combined with fenugreek; 390mg 3x/day
  • Moringa — emerging evidence; nutritionally dense; 1–2 teaspoons powder/day
  • Shatavari — Ayurvedic adaptogen; supports prolactin and milk production; 500mg 2x/day
• Skin-to-skin contact and frequent feeding — the most powerful stimulants of milk supply

Choosing a Prenatal Supplement: What to Look For

Not all prenatal vitamins are equal. Key features to look for:

Our recommendation: Take a high-quality prenatal multivitamin as your foundation, then add separate DHA, vitamin D3+K2, magnesium, and choline — as most prenatals contain inadequate amounts of these critical nutrients.

Functional Testing Worth Considering

Before and during pregnancy, consider discussing with your LMC or integrative practitioner:

• Full blood count (FBC) — haemoglobin, haematocrit, MCV
• Ferritin — iron stores; aim >50 mcg/L preconception
• 25-OH Vitamin D — aim 100–150 nmol/L
• TSH, free T3, free T4, TPO antibodies — thyroid function; TSH ideally <2.5 mIU/L preconception
• Fasting insulin + HOMA-IR — insulin resistance (especially PCOS)
• HbA1c — blood sugar control
• Homocysteine — methylation marker; elevated levels increase miscarriage and neural tube defect risk; target <7 µmol/L
• MTHFR gene variant testing — guides folate supplementation strategy
• Omega-3 index — measures EPA+DHA in red blood cell membranes; aim >8%
• Zinc and copper — often imbalanced; copper rises significantly in pregnancy
• B12 — especially important for vegetarians/vegans
• Comprehensive stool analysis — gut microbiome health before conception

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Always work with your Lead Maternity Carer (LMC), GP, or specialist throughout pregnancy. Seek prompt assessment for:

• Heavy bleeding at any stage of pregnancy
• Severe or persistent nausea and vomiting (hyperemesis gravidarum)
• Signs of pre-eclampsia: sudden swelling, severe headache, visual disturbances, upper abdominal pain
• Reduced foetal movement after 28 weeks
• Signs of preterm labour before 37 weeks
• Fever, chills, or signs of infection
• Significant mood changes, anxiety, or thoughts of self-harm

Natural and nutritional interventions are powerful complements to conventional maternity care — not replacements for it.

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your Lead Maternity Carer, GP, or specialist before commencing any supplement or herbal protocol during pregnancy or breastfeeding.