There is no other time in a woman's life where the taking of a vitamin supplement is more important than in pregnancy. In fact, the makeup of many prenatal vitamins is so good that some women use them even when they aren't pregnant. Because the body is truly providing for two and because the fetus is growing and developing so rapidly, beginning a prenatal vitamin as soon as a woman knows she's pregnant is vital to the health of the pregnancy*.

Women who are vegetarians are often challenged in finding a proper prenatal vitamin containing vitamins with vegan sources. DEVA Nutrition has taken the best and most natural vegan-based vitamins and combined them into a vitamin precisely tailored to the pregnant woman. Let's look at some of the special needs of pregnant women and look at how this vegan prenatal product addresses those needs*.

Two of the most important vitamins necessary for adequate fetal development are also the two most prone to being deficient: vitamin B12 and folic acid. Deficiencies in folic acid, in particular, have been linked to neural tube defects in early pregnancy. DEVA Vegan Prenatal Formula provides 200% of the recommended daily allowances of folic acid. Vitamin B12 is difficult for vegans to get in their diet due to its presence primarily in meat products. The DEVA Vegan Prenatal Formula provides over 1500% of the RDA of this vitamin. It is entirely possible that a pregnant woman who is also eats a vegan diet begins her pregnancy with less than adequate amounts of vitamin B12, so the amount in the prenatal vitamin can clearly put her ahead very quickly*.

Vitamin C helps prevent some of the leg cramps, nausea and vomiting associated with early pregnancy. The DEVA Vegan Prenatal Vitamin provides 200% of the RDA of this vitamin. As this is a water-soluble vitamin, it isn't worrisome to take a bit extra*.

While most prenatal vitamins try to pack in as much as they can into the vitamin, DEVA Nutrition has been careful not to promote an excess of potentially toxic fat soluble vitamins. Vitamin A is provided as water-soluble beta carotene at a level that won't cause vitamin A toxicity. Vitamin E is from an all-natural source and is provided in a safe amount. Deficiencies in vitamin E in pregnancy have been linked to birth defects so having just enough is important. Vitamin K, another fat-soluble vitamin, is also in amounts that avoid toxicity*.

Vitamin D, important in calcium metabolism, is provided as vitamin D2, the only vegan source of the vitamin, at 100% of the recommended daily allowance. The body uses this form just like the vitamin D one can obtain from the sun.*

The B vitamins are all well-represented in the DEVA Vegan Prenatal Multivitamin. The B vitamins are safe when taken in higher doses and are vital to a healthy pregnancy. Research shows that up to 50% of all expecting mothers are deficient in vitamin B6, provided at 625% of the recommended daily allowance in this vitamin.*

The DEVA Vegan Prenatal Multivitamin provides biotin, another commonly deficient nutrient in pregnancy. Choline is provided and is necessary for fetal brain development.*

The full range of minerals is provided in doses that maximize the growth and development of the fetus. Iron (in the form of an amino acid chelate) is extremely important to have in a good prenatal vitamin; it is provided at 117% of the recommended daily allowance. Iodine, Zinc, Selenium, Copper, Manganese, Chromium, Molybdenum and Boron are all provided in adequate amounts.*

When available, the all-vegan sources are all-natural and provided in the most bioavailable way. This means that the once-daily pill the mother takes will actually be absorbed as easily as possible so that both mom and baby get the nutrients they need.*

Because Calcium takes up a great deal of space in any multivitamin, there is no prenatal vitamin that provides the amount of Calcium a pregnant woman needs for proper fetal bone development. For that reason, separate Calcium supplementation is always recommended during pregnancy, especially if the daily dietary intake is lacking.*

DEVA Vegan Prenatal Multivitamin with Minerals provides the total-package in prenatal supplementation for any expecting mother, not just those on vegan diets. It contains the right combination of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients without providing any of them in harmful amounts. Taking one per day throughout the pregnancy and during lactation may make the difference between a healthy pregnancy and a pregnancy struggling to get the right nutrients.*

DEVA Vegan Prenatal Multivitamin is 100% animal free, and guaranteed for purity, freshness and labeled potency. Remember all DEVA Products are 100% vegan, vegetarian and are certified by the Vegan Society, the non-profit organization that actually invented the word "vegan".