Researchers surveyed doctors, pharmacists, and pregnant women in Portugal to understand what they think about taking vitamins before, during, and after pregnancy. They found that most doctors recommend folic acid and iodine supplements, which is great. However, many women don’t get advice before trying to get pregnant, and fewer take vitamins after the baby is born. Pharmacists want to help more but aren’t always asked. The study shows that better communication between doctors, pharmacists, and pregnant women could help everyone stay healthier during this important time.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: What doctors, pharmacists, and pregnant women think about taking vitamin supplements before, during, and after pregnancy
  • Who participated: 230 doctors, 433 pharmacists, and 1,107 women in Portugal who were surveyed between March and August 2023
  • Key finding: Most doctors recommend folic acid during pregnancy (82%), but only about two-thirds of women continue taking vitamins after giving birth, and nearly half of women never had a pre-pregnancy checkup to discuss vitamins
  • What it means for you: If you’re planning to get pregnant or are already pregnant, talking to your doctor or pharmacist about vitamins is important. Many women miss out on helpful advice because they don’t know to ask for it early on. Getting professional guidance can help ensure you and your baby get the nutrients you need.

The Research Details

This was a descriptive study, which means researchers asked questions and recorded what people said without testing a specific treatment. Between March and August 2023, researchers surveyed three different groups: doctors, pharmacists, and women. They asked about their thoughts and practices regarding vitamin supplements at different stages—before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and after the baby is born. This type of study is useful for understanding what people actually do and think in real life, rather than testing whether something works in a controlled setting.

The researchers created surveys for each group with questions about which vitamins they recommend or take, when they start taking them, and what challenges they face. They collected responses from 230 doctors, 433 pharmacists, and 1,107 women. This large number of participants helps give a clearer picture of what’s happening across the whole population.

Understanding what healthcare professionals recommend and what women actually do is important because there’s often a gap between the two. If doctors recommend something but women don’t follow through, or if women don’t know what to do, babies and mothers might miss out on important nutrients. This study helps identify where communication breaks down so that improvements can be made.

This study has some strengths: it surveyed a large number of people (over 1,700 total), included multiple perspectives (doctors, pharmacists, and women), and was conducted recently. However, it only looked at one country (Portugal), so results might be different elsewhere. The study describes what people think and do but doesn’t prove that following these recommendations actually improves health outcomes. The researchers didn’t randomly assign people to different groups, so we can’t say for certain that one approach is better than another.

What the Results Show

Most doctors (89%) said that having a checkup before trying to get pregnant is important, and 82% of doctors prescribed folic acid during pregnancy. However, only about 50% of doctors prescribed iron, and 60% prescribed iodine. This shows that doctors are fairly consistent about folic acid but less consistent about other vitamins.

When researchers asked women about their experiences, nearly half (49%) said they never had a pre-pregnancy checkup. Many of these women got information from friends, family, or the internet instead of from doctors. During pregnancy, women were pretty good about taking vitamins—most took folic acid. But after the baby was born, only about two-thirds continued taking supplements, meaning one-third stopped.

Pharmacists had interesting insights: 48% said they wanted to be more involved in helping women choose the right supplements, especially after pregnancy when women had more questions. This suggests that pharmacists could play a bigger role but aren’t always asked for help.

Cost and worry about side effects were the main reasons women didn’t take supplements or stopped taking them. Some women were concerned that vitamins might harm their baby, even though the recommended vitamins are safe during pregnancy.

The study found that women who didn’t have a pre-pregnancy checkup were more likely to get vitamin information from informal sources like social media or friends rather than from healthcare professionals. This matters because informal sources sometimes give incorrect information. Additionally, the research showed that the postpartum period (after birth) is a weak point in the system—many women stop getting professional advice and support after delivery, even though their nutritional needs are still important, especially if breastfeeding.

This study aligns with previous research showing that folic acid is well-established as important before and during pregnancy to prevent birth defects. However, the finding that fewer doctors recommend iron and zinc, and that fewer women take vitamins after pregnancy, suggests there’s room for improvement compared to international guidelines. The gap between what doctors recommend and what women actually do has been noted in other studies too, but this research provides specific numbers showing how big that gap is.

This study only looked at people in Portugal, so the results might be different in other countries with different healthcare systems. The study asked people what they think and do, but didn’t follow women over time to see if their actual behavior matched what they reported. We don’t know if the women surveyed were representative of all Portuguese women or if certain groups were over- or under-represented. The study also didn’t measure whether following these recommendations actually led to better health outcomes for mothers and babies.

The Bottom Line

If you’re planning to get pregnant or are already pregnant: (1) Schedule a checkup with your doctor before trying to conceive to discuss vitamins—this is strongly recommended (high confidence). (2) Take folic acid as prescribed by your doctor, as this clearly prevents birth defects (high confidence). (3) Ask your doctor about iron and iodine supplements, as these are also important but recommendations vary (moderate confidence). (4) Continue taking recommended vitamins after pregnancy, especially if breastfeeding (moderate confidence). (5) Talk to your pharmacist if you have concerns about cost or side effects—they can help find solutions (moderate confidence).

Anyone planning to get pregnant should pay attention to this research. Women who are currently pregnant or recently gave birth should also consider these findings. Healthcare professionals—doctors and pharmacists—should use this information to improve how they communicate about vitamins. Partners and family members of pregnant women can help by encouraging women to attend pre-pregnancy checkups and continue taking vitamins as recommended. This is less relevant for people who are not planning to become pregnant, though good nutrition is important for everyone.

Folic acid works best when started at least one month before trying to get pregnant and continued through the first three months of pregnancy, so plan ahead. During pregnancy, vitamins should be taken consistently throughout all nine months. After pregnancy, continue for at least as long as you’re breastfeeding. You won’t see dramatic changes overnight, but proper nutrition during this period helps prevent serious birth defects and supports your health during recovery.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily vitamin intake by logging which supplements you took each day (folic acid, iron, iodine, prenatal vitamin) and note any side effects or concerns. This creates a record to discuss with your doctor and helps you stay consistent.
  • Set a daily reminder on your phone to take your vitamins at the same time each day (like with breakfast). If cost is a barrier, use the app to track questions to ask your doctor or pharmacist about affordable options. If you’re worried about side effects, log any symptoms and discuss them with your healthcare provider rather than stopping on your own.
  • Use the app to track your supplement routine from pre-pregnancy through postpartum. Set milestone reminders for important checkups (pre-pregnancy, first trimester, postpartum). Keep notes on conversations with doctors and pharmacists so you remember their recommendations. If you switch supplements or stop taking them, log the reason so you can address barriers with your healthcare team.

This research describes what healthcare professionals and women think about vitamins during pregnancy but does not provide medical advice. Vitamin needs vary by individual based on diet, health conditions, and other factors. Always consult with your doctor or midwife before starting, stopping, or changing any supplements during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Do not use this information to replace professional medical guidance. If you have concerns about vitamins, side effects, or costs, speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist who can give personalized advice for your situation.