- Research increasingly shows the importance of Essential Fatty Acids such as DHA in the development of babies and infants
- Contains 400µg folic acid and 10µg vitamin D, the levels advised by the UK Department of Health
- Research increasingly shows the importance of Essential Fatty Acids such as DHA in the development of babies and infants
- Contains 400µg folic acid and 10µg vitamin D, the levels advised by the UK Department of Health
Contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy
Vitamin D has a role in the process of cell division
Specifically formulated with an ideal, moderate level of iron
Contributes to normal production of thyroid hormones and function
Maternal intake contributes to normal foetal brain & eye development
Vitamins B2, B6, B12 contribute to normal red blood cell formation
- Reviews
- Nutritional Information
- Directions
- FAQs
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Pregnacare Plus Formula
Pregnacare® vitamin & mineral tablets plus Omega-3 capsules for pregnancy
Multi-nutrient Tablet
Nutritional Information | Average per tablet | % EC NRV* |
Vitamin D (as D3 400 IU) | 10 µg | 200 |
4 mg α-TE | 33 | |
70 µg | 93 | |
70 mg | 88 | |
Thiamin (Vitamin B1) | 3 mg | 273 |
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) | 2 mg | 143 |
Niacin (Vitamin B3) | 20 mg NE | 125 |
Vitamin B6 | 10 mg | 714 |
400 µg | 200 | |
6 µg | 240 | |
150 µg | 300 | |
Pantothenic Acid | 6 mg | 100 |
150 mg | 40 | |
17 mg | 121 | |
15 mg | 150 | |
Copper | 1000 µg | 100 |
30 µg | 55 | |
Iodine | 150 µg | 100 |
Betacarotene (Natural Source) | 2mg | -- |
*NRV = Nutrient Reference Value, µg = microgram
mg = milligram, IU = International Units
Omega-3 DHA Capsule
Ingredients
Tablet Ingredients: IMaltodextrin, Magnesium Oxide, Bulking Agent: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Ferrous Fumarate, Zinc Sulphate, Tablet Coating (Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, Polydextrose, Medium Chain Triglycerides, Glycerin, Talc, Colours [Calcium Carbonate, Iron Oxides]), Anti-Caking Agents: Silicon Dioxide, Stearic Acid & Magnesium Stearate, Niacin (as Nicotinamide), Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCl), Betacarotene, Pantothenic Acid (as Calcium Salt), Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin), Vitamin E (D-Alpha Tocopheryl Acid Succinate) (from Soya), Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol), Thiamin (Vitamin B1 as Mononitrate), Riboflavin, Copper Sulphate, Vitamin K (Vitamin K1), Folic Acid (as Pteroylmonoglutamic Acid), Potassium Iodide, Biotin, Sodium Selenate.
Allergy Advice: For allergens, see ingredients in bold.
Nutritional Information | Average per capsule | % EC NRV* |
Omega-3 Fish Oil | 600 mg | |
Providing: | ||
DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) | 300 mg | -- |
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) | 60 mg | -- |
*NRV = Nutrient Reference Value, µg = microgram
mg = milligram, IU = International Units
Capsule Ingredients: Omega-3 Fish Oil (Docosahexaenoic Acid Concentrate) (from Fish), Capsule Shell: Pharmaceutical Grade Gelatin (Halal Bovine Source), Glycerin & Natural Flavour Lemon Oil.
Allergy Advice: For allergens, see ingredients in bold.
FOOD SUPPLEMENT
Food supplements must not replace a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. As with other food supplements, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using if you are under medical supervision, have epilepsy, a thyroid condition, haemochromatosis, suffer from food allergies, or are allergic to any of the ingredients.
Allergy Advice: For allergens, see ingredients in bold on base of carton. Made in a site that may handle nuts. Contains high purity fish oil.
This product contains vitamin K and Omega-3. Those taking anticoagulants (blood thinners) should not take this product except on the advice of a doctor.
This product contains iron, which if taken in excess, may be harmful to very young children.
Store below 25ºC in a dry place, out of sight and reach of children.
Directions
ONE TABLET (GREEN BLISTER) PER DAY, PLUS ONE CAPSULE (PINK BLISTER) PER DAY TAKE WITH YOUR MAIN MEAL.
Swallow with water or a cold drink. Not to be chewed. Do not exceed the recommended intake. To be taken only on a full stomach.
- No artificial colours, preservatives, yeast or lactose
- Gluten free
- Pregnacare is not tested on animals
For Allergy Advice and other usage information see Nutritional Information.
FOOD SUPPLEMENT
Food supplements must not replace a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. As with other food supplements, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using if you are under medical supervision, have epilepsy, a thyroid
condition, haemochromatosis, suffer from food allergies, or are allergic to any of the ingredients.
Allergy Advice: For allergens, see ingredients in bold on base of carton. Made in a site that may handle nuts. Contains high purity fish oil.
This product contains vitamin K and Omega-3. Those taking anticoagulants (blood thinners) should not take this product except on the advice of a doctor.
Store below 25ºC in a dry place, out of sight and reach of children.
Pregnacare Plus FAQ
Why has Pregnacare Plus been developed?
During pregnancy, your baby is on what you eat as their only source of nourishment. So even with a good diet, extra specific nutrients may be very important around the time of pregnancy. Pregnacare Plus dual pack provides the original fully comprehensive Pregnacare multivitamin tablet including 400μg folic acid plus an Omega-3 capsule to provide a rich source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). DHA contributes to normal brain and eye development in the foetus**. Pregnacare Plus contains the exact level recommended by international experts in lipid nutrition*** for pregnant and lactating women, plus 60mg EPA.
Why are Omega-3 fatty acids important?
Adults can obtain DHA and EPA indirectly through the conversion of the essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), present in vegetable oils such as linseed but this process is very inefficient. Fish oils provide a much more reliable, direct source of DHA and EPA. The foetus and infant in early life need to receive these fatty acids directly as they only have a limited capability to convert essential fatty acids to more active long chain fatty acids such as DHA.
When is Pregnacare Plus recommended?
Pregnacare Plus is recommended as soon as you start trying to conceive to help safeguard your nutritional needs before you find you are pregnant and throughout the whole of your pregnancy. Pregnacare Plus can be used for as long as required, and can be started at any point during pregnancy.
How pure is the fish oil in Pregnacare Plus?
What the mother consumes has the potential to be passed on to the developing child, therefore only the purest pharmaceutical grade fish oil, has been used in Pregnacare Plus capsules. To ensure maximum benefit the oil is carefully concentrated to increase its DHA and EPA content and further purified. Each batch is rigorously tested, certified, and fully compliant with stringent EC and WHO rules on environmental pollutants.
What do I need to know before starting to use Pregnacare Plus ?
Pregnacare Plus has been carefully developed by a team of medical experts including highly qualified pharmacists and medical consultants, and is based upon solid scientific research evidence, as a nutritional safeguard for women from before conception and throughout all of pregnancy. Pregnacare Plus is a multivitamin and fish oil supplement formulated to safeguard the nutritional needs of mother and baby. Pregnacare Plus replaces your usual daily multivitamin. Your doctor may wish to prescribe an additional iron supplement after the 13th week of pregnancy, which may be taken with Pregnacare Plus.
Can Pregnacare Plus be used alongside medicines?
As a general rule, Pregnacare Plus can be taken alongside medications because it contains only moderate levels of vitamins and minerals. However, if you are already taking prescribed supplements or medications, seek advice from your doctor or health professional first. As Pregnacare Plus contains vitamin K, if you are taking oral anticoagulants (blood thinners) do not take Pregnacare Plus except on the advice of a doctor.
How many tablets and capsules does one pack of Pregnacare Plus contain?
Pregnacare Plus contains 28 prenatal micronutrient tablets and 28 Omega 3 DHA capsules. It is recommended to take one of each per day.
How and when should Pregnacare Plus be used?
One tablet and one capsule per day is recommended with or immediately after your main meal, with water or a cold drink. Taking Pregnacare Plus with a large meal maximises the absorption of the nutrients, and can reduce nausea which is sometimes experienced if supplements are taken on an empty stomach. Pregnacare Plus should only be taken on a full stomach. Always ensure that Pregnacare Plus is taken with plenty of liquid to wash down the tablet and capsule. We do not recommend chewing the tablets or capsules because they have not been formulated as chewable preparations.
Are there any undesired effects whilst taking Pregnacare Plus?
Pregnacare Plus has no known side-effects when taken as directed. Do not exceed the recommended tablet/capsule intake. In case of overdose, seek medical advice immediately.
Need help swallowing a tablet or capsule?
Difficulty in swallowing tablets and capsules is quite a common experience. Vitabiotics have researched this extensively and recommend after chewing some food (e.g. banana), just before you swallow, pop it into your mouth and swallow it together with the chewed food, followed by some liquid. The throat opens up wider to swallow the chewed food and so it should go down with greater ease. Alternatively, the tablets or capsules may be swallowed with thicker liquids such as yoghurts or smoothies.
Is Pregnacare Plus suitable for vegetarians?
No Pregnacare Plus is not suitable for vegetarians as it contains fish oil in a pharmaceutical grade gelatin capsule. Adults can obtain DHA and EPA indirectly through the conversion of the essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), present in vegetable oils such as linseed but this process is very inefficient. Pregnacare Plus contains fish oil as it provides a much more reliable, direct source of DHA and EPA.
What Are The Nutrients Included?
Some Nutrient Reference Value (NRV) levels are above 100%. Is this safe during pregnancy?
NRV levels are calculated to help prevent the most basic vitamin and mineral deficiency states. The levels contained in Pregnacare Plus are specific to normal requirements in pregnancy. This is why some levels of nutrients in Pregnacare Plus are higher than the NRV (e.g. folic acid, the recommended level is 200% NRV). Importantly, all levels are safe for pregnancy and well within upper safety guidelines for daily self-supplementation.
Does Pregnacare Plus contain Vitamin A (retinol), because excess may be harmful during pregnancy?
Pregnacare Plus does not contain any vitamin A either in the multivitamin tablet or the special fish oil DHA capsule. The multivitamin tablet has been carefully formulated specially for pregnancy to contain a moderate (non-excessive) level of betacarotene instead of vitamin A. Betacarotene (pro-retinol) is converted into vitamin A naturally by the body as required, and is safe and suitable for pregnancy. The Omega 3 capsule in Pregnacare Plus is produced from fish oils that are certified free from Vitamin A and therefore safe to take throughout pregnancy.
Why does Pregnacare Plus not include calcium, which is important during pregnancy?
Calcium is an essential mineral, however, it has not been included in the Pregnacare Plus formula since it is not possible to include a meaningful amount in the one-a-day multivitamin tablet. Rather that including just a token amount of calcium, as some products show on the label, Pregnacare Plus has been designed so that it can be used with the Vitabiotics Osteocare range of calcium products
I have been recommended by my midwife/G.P. to take a supplement containing 400µg of folic acid per day, only for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Is it safe to take a supplement containing folic acid (like Pregnacare Plus ), after this time?
It is perfectly safe to take 400µg of folic acid per day throughout the whole of pregnancy. The U.K. Department of Health's Chief Medical Officer recommends that women planning a pregnancy should take a supplement containing 400µg folic acid daily, from the start of trying to conceive until the 12th week of pregnancy as folic acid has a role in the process of cell division. However, folic acid can be taken throughout pregnancy, not just up to the 12th week of pregnancy, since it plays other important roles later in pregnancy such as contributing to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy. Folic acid on its own or within Pregnacare Plus may therefore be taken throughout pregnancy. Pregnacare Plus gives the advantage of not only providing folic acid, but other essential nutrients as well.
If flour in the UK is fortified with folic acid, do I still need to take an additional folic acid supplement before and during pregnancy?
Yes, you will still need to take a supplement as fortification is only to improve the folic acid contribution from the normal diet. The government announced in September 2021 the good news that folic acid will be added to UK white flour in the future (the new rules will exclude gluten-free and wholemeal flour). This is to help increase the amount of folic acid in maternal diets, as low folic acid status is a risk factor in the development of neural tube defects (NTDs), such as spina bifida. This will, however, not replace the need for mums-to-be to take a folic acid supplement, as the UK Department of Health continues to recommend that all women trying to conceive until the 12th week of pregnancy should take a daily supplement containing 400µg folic acid.
What happens if I forget to take my Pregnacare Plus and miss a day?
A regular intake is recommended, but don't worry, this will not have done any harm. Simply take Pregnacare Plus on the next day when you remember, and take as directed. You should not take more than the recommended amount on subsequent days to make up for any day(s) that you have missed. Whilst it is important to take a supplement every day, if you miss one day this is fine because the beneficial effects of the vitamins and minerals build over time.
How to subscribe to Pregnacare Plus?
Each Pregnacare Plus pack contains 28 days supply (4 weeks). We recommend subscribing to 1 pack every 4 weeks.
The UK's No.1 Pregnancy Supplement Brand