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When a husband and wife start planning a family, one of the first questions is which supplements to take. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises folic acid from before pregnancy, and includes iron with folic acid in routine antenatal care. Many women in the UAE are also advised to take vitamin D. How much iron and vitamin D you need depends on your blood tests and your doctor's advice. Choosing pregnancy vitamins in the UAE is mostly about reading the label carefully and checking with your doctor.
A good diet still comes first. Supplements fill specific gaps, they do not replace balanced meals. And because every pregnancy is different, always check with your doctor before starting or changing any supplement.
This guide explains the key nutrients, what to look for on the pack, and what to avoid.
Folic acid: start before pregnancy
Folic acid is the most important supplement for couples planning a family. WHO recommends 400 micrograms a day, started as early as possible and ideally before conception. Doctors usually advise continuing at least until the end of the 12th week. It reduces the chance of a baby having a neural tube defect, a problem with how the brain and spine develop, such as spina bifida.
Points to know:
- Food alone is usually not enough. It is hard to get enough folate from diet, which is why a supplement is advised, though leafy greens, beans and fortified cereals still help.
- Some women need a higher dose. Doctors may prescribe a higher dose for some groups, including women with diabetes, those who take medicine for epilepsy, and couples where the husband or wife has a family history of neural tube defects. This needs a doctor's prescription, so do not try to make it up with extra tablets.
- Taking it a little longer is fine. WHO's antenatal advice includes 400 micrograms of folic acid, with iron, throughout pregnancy, so carrying on after 12 weeks is fine.
You can find folic acid in the UAE as a single tablet or as part of a combined prenatal product. Either can work, as long as it gives 400 micrograms and you take it daily.
Vitamin D: relevant for UAE life
Your doctor may recommend a vitamin D supplement in pregnancy and while breastfeeding, especially if you spend most of your time indoors or usually cover your skin when outside. That describes many women in the UAE, where air-conditioned homes, offices and malls mean little time in direct sun.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) sets the safe upper limit for adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, at 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) a day. If you take a prenatal multivitamin and a separate vitamin D, add up the total. Your doctor may test your levels and suggest a different amount.
Iron in pregnancy
Iron helps the body make red blood cells, and the body's needs rise during pregnancy. The World Health Organization notes that pregnant women are among the groups most affected by anaemia worldwide.
WHO recommends a daily iron and folic acid supplement as part of antenatal care, and a blood test (full blood count) to check for anaemia in pregnancy. Your doctor will use your results to decide how much iron you need. It is best not to take high-dose iron on your own, because:
- Iron tablets can cause side effects such as constipation, stomach upset or dark stools.
- Iron is best taken exactly as your doctor or the label advises.
- Iron supplements should be kept well out of reach of children.
Iron-rich foods include meat, beans, lentils, dark green leafy vegetables, dried fruit and fortified cereals. Large amounts of tea, coffee and milk with meals can make iron harder to absorb, while a glass of orange juice may help.
The vitamin A caution
This is one of the most important label checks. WHO notes that vitamin A can become harmful to the mother and baby above 10,000 IU a day. For this reason, women who are pregnant, or who may become pregnant, are generally advised to avoid supplements containing vitamin A in the form of retinol, and to avoid fish liver oils such as cod liver oil. Regularly eating large amounts of liver can also give too much vitamin A, WHO adds, so it is wise to avoid liver and pâté during pregnancy.
When choosing prenatal vitamins in the UAE, read the ingredients list. If a general multivitamin lists vitamin A or retinol, it may not be suitable. Products made for pregnancy are usually formulated with this in mind, but your pharmacist can check any product with you.
How to compare pregnancy vitamins in the UAE
| What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Folic acid 400 micrograms | The amount WHO recommends for pregnancy |
| Vitamin D amount | Often advised in the UAE; keep the total under 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) |
| No retinol (vitamin A) | Too much vitamin A can harm the baby |
| Iron content | Useful to know if your doctor also prescribes iron |
| Omega-3 (DHA) | Added to some products; research on benefits is still developing |
| Stage of use | Some ranges are made for before pregnancy, pregnancy or breastfeeding |
There is no single best prenatal vitamin for everyone. Price and brand matter less than the right amounts, a safe ingredient list and taking it every day. Avoid stacking several products, as amounts can add up.
Products to consider at BMG Pharmacy
- Vitabiotics Pregnacare Before Conception Tablet 30s a multivitamin made for women planning a pregnancy.
- 21st Century Folic Acid 400mcg 100's a single folic acid tablet.
- Vitabiotics Pregnacare Original Pregnancy Supplement Tablets 30s a pregnancy multivitamin tablet.
- Elevit Pronatal 30's a prenatal multivitamin tablet.
- Femibion 1 Tablets 30's a supplement for before and early pregnancy.
- 21st Century Prenatal Dha 30 Tablet + 30 Softgels a prenatal tablet paired with DHA softgels.
- Vitabiotics Feroglobin B12 & Iron Capsules 30s an iron and B12 capsule, to use only if your doctor advises iron.
See the full range in our pregnancy supplement category.
When to see a doctor or pharmacist
Book an appointment with your doctor before starting any supplement if you have diabetes, epilepsy, a blood condition, or take regular medicines. See a doctor promptly if you notice:
- Extreme tiredness, shortness of breath or a racing heart
- Very pale skin, or feeling faint or dizzy
- Severe nausea or vomiting that stops you keeping food or fluids down
- Severe stomach pain or ongoing constipation after starting iron
- Any bleeding, severe headache or blurred vision in pregnancy
Ask a pharmacist to check your supplements if you take more than one product.
Frequently asked questions
When should I start taking folic acid?
WHO advises 400 micrograms a day, started as early as possible and ideally before conception. Doctors usually advise continuing at least until 12 weeks. If the pregnancy was not planned, start as soon as you know. Check with your doctor whether you need a higher dose.
Do I need a prenatal vitamin or just folic acid?
WHO recommends folic acid, with iron during pregnancy, and many women in the UAE are also advised to take vitamin D. A prenatal vitamin can combine these with other nutrients, which some women find easier. Check with your doctor which option suits you.
Should I take iron in pregnancy?
Only if your doctor advises it. Iron levels are checked through blood tests, and your doctor will recommend a supplement if they are low. Eating iron-rich foods is helpful for everyone.
Can I take a normal multivitamin when planning a family?
Some general multivitamins contain vitamin A as retinol, which is best avoided in pregnancy. A product made for pregnancy or preconception is usually a safer choice. Always check the label and ask your doctor or pharmacist.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Speak to a BMG pharmacist in any branch or on WhatsApp +971 55 520 8156, or call 800 2647.
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