The Nutritional Supplement

This article is a short review of the webinar ‘optimising pre-natal and postpartum health’ by Dr Erin Stokes which took place on Tuesday 6th October 2015, organised by Invivo Clinical. The webinar is not available to be viewed by those who didn’t attend, although you can register for future webinars and updates at http://www.invivoclinical.co.uk

The webinar discussed the need for a multivitamin, omega-3 fatty acids and probiotics, during preconception, pregnancy and postpartum.

Dr Stokes shared many important messages about the health of the mother, pre-conceptually, during pregnancy and postpartum. 

She strongly believes that a healthy (and therefore happy) Mum, will lead to healthier, happier children, a happier family and healthier future generations. 

She also believes that as practitioners (or future practitioners) we are lucky to have this opportunity to make a difference and yet at the same time obligated to help Mums achieve that!

She pointed out that statistics show that 40% of pregnancies in the UK and 50% of pregnancies in the USA are unplanned. Therefore, it is extremely important to discuss pre-conceptual care with all women of child-bearing age, even if there is no pregnancy being planned. 

Often, pre-conceptual care is brushed under the carpet. After practitioners ask if pregnancy is being planned, the answer is negative the subject is then avoided.  Instead Dr Stokes believes that these statistics should be shared with patients and they should be encouraged to take a multivitamin to support future life, should pregnancy come about.  She also used research to prove that the effects of preconception counselling cannot be underestimated.  Women who receive counselling are more likely to have acceptable nutrient levels.

Although Dr Stokes believes that food always comes first, and will provide the most potent and bioavailable nutrients, some nutrients such as iodine, iron and vitamin D may not always be obtained in sufficient amounts from the diet (and in the case of Vitamin D, from sunlight exposure).  Additionally if the diet is a typical modern Western diet, the risk of deficiency is even greater. Therefore, supplementation is likely to be necessary.  According to Dr Stokes, a multivitamin and mineral is the best choice, because the synergy between nutrients is important.  Taking a preconceptual multivitamin may help to ensure that sufficient amounts of all nutrients are obtained.  An interesting point, which Dr Stokes mentioned, is that the recommended folic acid or folate intake for pre-conceptual or pregnancy healthcare in the USA is double that of the UK, at 800 mcg per day!

Dr Stokes also recommends that women of child-bearing age should take omega-3 fatty acids.  She stated that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is particularly important for brain and nerve structure and development.  She went on to say that, while eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) has not been found to make up much of the structure of the Central Nervous System (CNS), it has been shown to protect the brain, as well as having general anti-inflammatory effects in the body.  Dr Stokes also said that probiotics are important in preconception, pregnancy and postpartum.  Research on the gut microbiome is very compelling and the microflora of the infant is based on that of the Mum. This is of particular relevance if the birth is not vaginal, in which case Dr Stokes recommends that the infant should receive probiotic supplementation too.

It can be more difficult to obtain nutrients from food during pregnancy, as pregnant women are often feeling nauseous. Even though this is a good sign that hormones are balancing correctly to accommodate new life, women can begin to find it difficult to tolerate some foods. This is very individual and can be true even if they were leading a healthy lifestyle prior to pregnancy. One way in which practitioners can assist pregnant clients, is to encourage them to eat healthy foods and find healthy alternatives to ‘unhealthy’ cravings they develop e.g. a healthy version of saltine crackers. Although taking a multivitamin is still strongly recommended. Dr Stokes highlighted that The Invivo Clinical Innate Response range of preconception and pregnancy supplements contain FoodStateTM Nutrients. This means that the nutrients are derived directly from food and compacted into a supplement.  This is thought to be more bioavailable and easily absorbed.  This video describes the process that is used to make their supplements. The Invivo Clinical range includes: Baby & Me Trimester 1 and 2, for preconception and the first and second trimesters and Baby and Me Trimester 3 and postpartum (link), for the third trimester and postpartum.

Finally, one of the most neglected areas in modern world healthcare is for postpartum Mums. There is a general risk of fatigue and irritability following childbirth which, if not dealt, with may lead to postpartum depression.  Incidence of postpartum depression continues to rise.  As a preventative measure, Dr Stokes recommends that women should continue taking the multivitamin and fatty acids postpartum.  It is also the role of the practitioner to counsel Mums and advise them that this is a period of adjustment, and they need to remember to take care of themselves too!

Dr Stokes ended the webinar by mentioning that although these are general recommendations, a practitioner would have to take into account each case history to decide on a personalised healthcare plan to suit each woman’s individual needs.

Disclaimer:

Any reference in this review to a specific commercial product (eg. nutritional supplement) process or service or the use of any firm, corporation or brand name is for the information and convenience of the reader and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion or favouring by CNELM or NS3UK Ltd.