Being pregnant, or becoming a new mum, can feel overwhelming. There are constant questions in the background. Am I eating enough? Am I getting the right nutrients? Am I doing enough for my baby?
At the same time, there is a huge amount of information out there, and a lot of it is very general. It does not always feel tailored, and it can be hard to know what actually matters.
This is something our founder Charlotte experienced first hand during her own pregnancy.
She found that many of the supplements she was taking were not using the most bioavailable forms, and some were making nausea worse, which is already a challenge for many women.
That was the starting point for this formula.
What we wanted to change
A lot of pregnancy multivitamins try to include everything.
On paper, that sounds good. In reality, it often means:
- Doses that are too low to be meaningful
- Forms that are poorly absorbed
- Ingredients that can irritate the gut
Iron and magnesium are good examples of this.
Common forms like ferrous fumarate and magnesium oxide are widely used, but they are also known to cause:
- Digestive discomfort
- Constipation
- Nausea
During pregnancy, when digestion is already more sensitive, this can make things worse.
We wanted to focus on:
- Forms that are better absorbed
- Ingredients that are better tolerated
- Doses that actually support both mum and baby
What is in it and why it matters
Folate (Quatrefolic® 5-MTHF)
Folic acid is widely recommended during pregnancy, and for good reason. It has been used for years and plays an important role in reducing the risk of neural tube defects.
So this is not about saying that advice is wrong. What is important to understand is how folic acid works in the body.
Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate. Before the body can use it, it needs to be converted into its active form, known as 5-MTHF.
For many people, this process works well. But for a significant number of women, due to common genetic variations, this conversion is less efficient.
That can mean:
- Lower availability of active folate
- Build up of un-metabolised folic acid
- Less consistent support where it is needed
This is why there has been a shift in research towards using methylated folate.
We used Quatrefolic®, which is a stable, bioavailable form of 5-MTHF, at 400mcg.
This means it is:
- Already in the active form the body can use
- Not reliant on conversion
- More consistent across different individuals
Folate plays a key role in:
- Baby’s brain and spinal development
- Healthy cell division and growth
- Methylation, which supports energy, mood and cognition
So rather than replacing the intention behind folic acid recommendations, this is about using a form that may be more effective and reliable for a wider range of women.
Iron (bisglycinate)
Iron needs to increase during pregnancy, but which form of iron is needed really matters.
We used iron bisglycinate, which is:
- More gentle on the digestive system
- Better absorbed
- Less likely to cause constipation or nausea
This is especially important when nausea is already present.
Magnesium (gentle forms)
Magnesium supports:
- Muscle relaxation
- Sleep
- Nervous system regulation
We avoided magnesium oxide and focused on forms that are better tolerated and more effective. We used a very gentle marine form of magnesium, that is one of the most readily absorbable forms.
Choline
This is one of the most overlooked nutrients in pregnancy. Many multivitamins leave this out, despite how important it is.
Choline plays a key role in:
- Baby’s brain development
- Neural tube support
- Cognitive function
It also supports mum’s brain and memory during pregnancy.
DHA (omega 3)
DHA is a crucial fatty acid for:
- Brain development
- Eye development
- Nervous system function
It is one of the most important fats during pregnancy, yet dietary intake is often low. We used a branded, researched marine form of DHA which has been shown in studies to have numerous benefits for infants and adults.
Ginger
Included to support nausea. Ginger has been traditionally used for gut discomfort, but also has relevant research behind it’s effectiveness and safety in pregnancy:
How we approached the formulation
We did not want to create the most packed supplement. We wanted to create one that actually works and is well tolerated.
That meant thinking about:
- Absorption
- Tolerance
- Real life symptoms like nausea and digestion
And focusing on what is truly needed, rather than including everything at low levels.
The bigger picture
Nutrition during pregnancy is about creating a foundation that supports both mum and baby.
But that is not always realistic.
Especially in the first trimester, where for a lot of women, eating well goes out the window and turns into whatever you can tolerate. Often that looks like plain toast, crackers or pastries just to get something in. That is normal.
It is not about being perfect, it is about doing what you can, when you can.
That might look like:
- Eating well where possible
- Managing symptoms like nausea
- Supporting key nutrients that are harder to get through diet alone
This is where targeted support can help. This formula was designed to sit alongside real life. Something that supports you when things are not perfect, rather than adding more pressure.
