Pregnacare what you and your baby need

Making sure you get the right balance of nutrients during pregnancy and breast feeding can be confusing. A balanced diet containing the right levels of vitamins and minerals is essential to the health of both mother and baby, from the time a woman starts planning to conceive through to the time she's weening her baby. Now Pregnacare, proven as the UK's leading pregnancy formula, is available in Australia.

Based on the latest research, Pregnacare's once daily, easy to swallow tablets have been carefully formulated to help ensure the extra dietary requirements of women from several weeks before conception, throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding are met. Containing 16 essential nutrients required to help safeguard a healthy pregnancy and baby, this one tablet is suitable before and during pregnancy as well as lactation, taking away confusion as to which supplement to take and when.

The most widespread deficiency in pregnancy is iodine. In an article authored by Professor Eastman, Clinical Professor of Medicine/Pathology in the faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney he states "Iodine deficiency during pregnancy is the commonest worldwide cause of preventable intellectual impairment. In areas where iodine deficiency is severe, IQ scores in children are decreased by 10 to 15 points, psychomotor deficits are more common, hearing may be impaired, and there is a markedly increased prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)"

Pregnacare contains 140 mcg of Iodine to safeguard each baby's neural development.

It is well known that it is important to take folic acid supplements before and during pregnancy to help reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTD) such as spina bifida. Pregnacare contains the exact amount (400mcg) recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for pregnancy where there is not a history of previous children with spina bifida. However, it is not just folic acid that is essential when planning a pregnancy.

Other essential vitamins include vitamin B12 and zinc, required for foetal development. Vitamin D and K are vital for bone development and iron is essential for blood formation for mother and baby. Vitamin B6 is also necessary as it may influence brain development and cognitive function of the baby through its role as an essential co-factor in the developing the central nervous system. Betacarotene, which can be naturally converted into vitamin A as needed by the body, is also provided in Pregnacare with these vitamins.

The Pregnacare formula also reduces some of the side effects associated with Australia's better known pregnancy supplements. For example, by containing iron within the range recommended by the NHMRC and not exceeding them, Pregnacare avoids unpleasant side effects of constipation and nausea often associated with iron - making the tablet much more appealing to expecting mothers.

Pregnacare is available at all good pharmacies or can be ordered by simply asking your pharmacist. RRP: $22.95

For more information about Pregnacare please visit www.pregnacare.com.au