Vitamins and Pregnancy: the Real Story

Helen Saul Case authored The Vitamin Cure for Women's Health Problems, but she confesses she was not prepared for the many new, unexpected, indeed challenging experiences she encountered with pregnancy. Because she found most books about pregnancy barely mentioned the importance of taking vitamins―let alone orthomolecular-strength vitamins―for optimal health of both mother and baby, she began writing Vitamins and Pregnancy: The Real Story when she was pregnant with her second child.

Noting that fresh, high-quality food does not begin to supply all the nutrients needed for good health, Case stresses that pregnancy demands even higher levels of nutrients for both mother and developing child. After all, the health of the baby starts with what the mother consumes. If fetal nutrition is inadequate, research has shown that can lead to increased risk of metabolic, endocrine and cardiovascular diseases in adult life. Since half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, it’s imperative that women know about optimal nutrition during pregnancy and breastfeeding―and ideally before.

Citing many studies on efficacy and safety, Case goes into rich detail about the virtues of vitamins C, E, A, D, and the Bs, as well as minerals, during pregnancy and breastfeeding. One value of Case’s hands-on research is that she relates her own experiences and how she solved them. For instance, when she found it hard to think clearly―a condition she calls “pregnancy brain”―she solved it by upping her intake of choline, a B vitamin needed for brain function and memory. But, she cautions, “My list of vitamins and minerals is not intended to be a complete or prescriptive list . . . I wouldn’t believe me unless I looked into it for myself. You should always do your own research, always talk to your doctor, and learn your own body and your own nutritional needs, and do what’s best for your situation―always.” Then, Case addresses thirty-five pregnancy issues, from acid reflux to yeast infections, as well as postpartum issues, particularly coping with depression and losing weight.

Based on the author’s extensive knowledge of orthomolecular medicine and her personal experience, Vitamins and Pregnancy is a comprehensive nutritional guide to optimal health for you and your baby.