The journey to motherhood is one of the most wonderful and yet challenging experiences in a woman’s life. From the moment you first conceive, through the nine months of pregnancy and the intimate breastfeeding period, your body performs true miracles.
But as every gardener knows: For something beautiful to grow, it needs the right soil!
In this article, you’ll learn which nutrients are especially important at every stage of your journey and how you can best support your body—and that of your growing child.
Wanting to have children: How to optimally prepare your body for new life
If you want a baby, the journey often begins long before the actual moment. Perhaps you’ve just started thinking about it—or perhaps you’ve been trying for a while. In either case, it’s worth preparing your body specifically for pregnancy.
Why is this so important? Because your body forms the foundation for new life. And the better it is supplied with the right nutrients, the more stable the foundation is for everything that comes next.
Did you know that many important developmental processes in your baby begin in the first few weeks after conception? Often, before you even know you’re pregnant.
| But this is precisely where a misconception circulates that is still widespread:
“Start taking supplements only during pregnancy.” That’s why experts recommend starting a targeted nutrient supply ideally 3-6 months before the planned pregnancy . This gives your body sufficient time to replenish its stores and optimally prepare for the new life. |
Important: Good preparation should not become a stress factor or be accompanied by the feeling of having to do everything perfectly, but rather give your body what it needs at that moment.
These include:
- Supply of important nutrients
- stabilization of the hormonal balance and good fertility
- and a regular cycle.
Especially if it doesn’t work out right away, conscious preparation can help you regain more confidence in your own body – and in the path you are currently taking.
The most important nutrients during the fertility period
1. Folic acid
You’ve probably heard that folic acid is especially important before and during pregnancy. But why should you start taking folic acid before you get a positive pregnancy test? This B vitamin plays a crucial role in the early development of your baby’s neural tube, which later develops into the brain and spinal cord.
What’s special is that this development begins in the first 28 days after conception – often before you even know that you are already pregnant!
2. Iron
Iron is also an essential nutrient in preparing for the upcoming pregnancy . It supports many processes that are especially important at this time—e.g., red blood cell formation, oxygen supply, and energy metabolism. Especially when your body is preparing for pregnancy, it needs sufficient energy and good circulation. This allows it to create ideal conditions for implantation and the first stages of development.
Iron also plays an important role in regulating hormone levels and therefore naturally influences your cycle. You may have underestimated this aspect until now.
3. Zinc
Your fertility (and that of your partner) is crucial if you want a baby. It’s the foundation for the creation of a new life—and that’s precisely why it deserves special attention. To be well prepared, your body needs certain micronutrients . One of them is zinc.
Zinc contributes to normal fertility and also supports cell division, a process that plays an important role in pregnancy from the very beginning.
4. Monk’s pepper
In addition to important vitamins and minerals, many women trying to conceive also rely on certain plant substances that have long been valued during this special phase. A well-known example is chasteberry.
The small, dark berries of the chasteberry have been traditionally used for centuries, particularly in connection with the menstrual cycle and female well-being.
Although every woman’s experience varies, many consider chasteberry a proven herbal remedy when it comes to naturally nourishing the body. It can therefore be a valuable companion , especially during the sensitive phase of trying to conceive .
Pregnancy: Why your body needs more nutrients now – and how you can support it
Are you already carrying your child? Within a few months, a tiny cell develops into a complete little human being. And to ensure that everything runs smoothly, your body is also working at full speed.
So it’s no wonder that so much is changing now – and your nutritional needs are noticeably increasing. Because your baby now has priority: It takes what it needs – even from your own reserves, if necessary.
That’s why it’s so important that you don’t miss out during this special time.
The nutritional champions of pregnancy
To support yourself and your baby in the best possible way, it is worth consciously giving your body what it really needs right now.
1. Folic acid
The importance of folic acid doesn’t end with a positive test. This vitamin also plays a key role throughout your pregnancy. It supports the growth of your maternal tissue—including the uterus and placenta. It provides your baby with everything it needs.
In addition, folic acid continues to support cell division and is therefore important for your baby’s development – not just in the first few weeks, but throughout the entire pregnancy .
2. Iron
Did you know that your blood volume increases by up to 50 percent during pregnancy? Your body now produces significantly more blood to optimally supply you and your baby.
Iron plays a key role in this process. It’s needed for the formation of red blood cells, which transport oxygen to every cell in your body. Your baby is also supplied with oxygen this way. Therefore, it’s especially important to ensure a good iron intake during this time!
3. Iodine
Iodine is probably not the first nutrient you think of during pregnancy – and yet it is one of the most important trace elements during this time.
Why? Because iodine supports the normal function of your thyroid. And the thyroid is one of the most important control centers in the body. It regulates metabolism, energy balance, and growth— in you and your baby .
4. B vitamins
In addition to folic acid, which you’ve already learned about, other B vitamins also play an important role during pregnancy. They support many processes that your body handles every day – often in the background and without you even noticing.
B vitamins contribute, among other things, to normal energy metabolism, support the nervous system and can even reduce fatigue.
Why nutrition during pregnancy is often insufficient
Now you know the most important nutrients your body needs during pregnancy. You might be asking yourself, “Can’t I just get all of this from my diet?”
A legitimate question – and the answer is: not always.
Even with the best knowledge and the best intentions, a balanced diet during pregnancy is often more difficult to achieve:
- In the first few weeks, nausea, loss of appetite, or a sensitive stomach make it difficult for many women to eat – and thus also to absorb nutrients.
- Later, cravings or aversions to certain foods often arise – sometimes even those that would actually be particularly valuable.
- And then there’s everyday life: Every pregnancy is different. You might feel full of energy. Or maybe you’re just happy to even get out of bed in the morning. That often leaves little energy for elaborate meals.
That’s why many women decide to give their bodies additional support during this time – simply to make sure that they get what they really need.
Breastfeeding: Nutrients for two
The birth is over, your baby is finally with you! Now begins one of the most intense and beautiful phases – the time of getting to know and bonding with your little treasure.
But while this time is magical, it can also be incredibly draining. Many mothers report that the weeks and months after giving birth present greater challenges than the pregnancy or even the birth itself. Your body is still recovering from the birth, while at the same time, you’re there for your baby around the clock. Little sleep and many new responsibilities are on the agenda.
During this special time, it’s more important than ever to take good care of yourself and seek support. That’s why certain nutrients are especially beneficial. Especially if you’re breastfeeding, you remain your baby’s sole source of nutrients.
The most important nutrients for breastfeeding
1. Iron
After birth, your body needs to recover from the strain and compensate for blood loss. Iron therefore remains an important nutrient that supports your body’s blood production—and can also reduce fatigue. Especially for new mothers, this is often exactly what they need.
2. Vitamin B12 & Folic Acid
Two vitamins that can support you on multiple levels after birth are vitamin B12 and – again – folic acid.
Vitamin B12 contributes to the normal function of your nervous system and your energy-yielding metabolism. These properties are especially valuable at a time when your body is under constant pressure.
It also plays a role in your immune system. Did you know that you pass B12 on to your baby through breast milk? During this early phase, your baby is especially dependent on your supply.
Folic acid is especially beneficial for your mental well-being during this time, as this B vitamin contributes to normal psychological function. Amidst hormonal changes and sleep deprivation, it can give you a sense of inner balance.
3. Natural plant substances
Certain plant substances have also been used in breastfeeding for generations. Two of the best known are fenugreek and fennel.
Many breastfeeding mothers traditionally rely on these two plants to naturally support their bodies. In various cultures, they have long been considered proven home remedies—especially in the first few weeks after birth.
How can you best nourish your body?
Now that you know which nutrients are particularly important during the various phases of trying for a baby, pregnancy, and breastfeeding, you may be asking yourself: How can I reliably get all of this in my daily life—especially when my appetite, energy, or time aren’t there?
Especially in this special phase of life, it can be sensible to resort to high-quality nutritional supplements .
Proven products we can recommend here: three natural complexes from NATURTREU . They accompany you through every phase—from trying to conceive to breastfeeding—with sophisticated combinations of vitamins, minerals, and selected plant extracts.
- MOTHER’S JOY : With folic acid, iron, zinc and chasteberry, this product is perfectly tailored to your body’s needs before pregnancy.
- KUGELZEIT: As soon as you hold your positive pregnancy test in your hands, it’s time for KUGELZEIT from NATURTREU. Contains all important micronutrients such as folate, iron, iodine, and B vitamins – in the ideal dosage for your pregnancy.
- BREASTFEEDING : NATURTREU also has the perfect support for you during breastfeeding. With fenugreek, fennel, folic acid, and vitamin B12 – developed for the intensive postpartum period.
By the way: All products are made in Germany, are non-GMO and free from unwanted fillers and additives.
So if you’re looking for an easy way to support your nutritional intake during this special time, these products are definitely worth checking out !
Conclusion: Listen to your body – it knows what it needs
Every desire to have children, every pregnancy, and every breastfeeding period are different. For some, pregnancy is one of the most wonderful phases of their life, while others are glad when it’s over. This makes it all the more important that you don’t compare your journey with others’.
Know that your body is doing amazing things—whether you’re still preparing for pregnancy or already holding your baby in your arms. So take good care of yourself—at your own pace and in your own way.
And don’t forget: You don’t have to do everything perfectly, but you can get the support that’s good for you. You can trust that your body will tell you what you need.
Note: This article is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss the appropriate nutritional plan for you with your doctor or midwife.