Ovo-lacto-vegetarians and vegan expectant mothers are able to meet all their nutritional and energy needs from their diet, and their babies´ birth weights are similar to those for babies born to non-vegetarian mothers.
This group may need to take an iron supplement to prevent or treat anaemia owing to iron deficiency, which is commonly seen during pregnancy.
Women who are likely to fall pregnant are advised to take a daily dose of 400 micrograms of folic acid in the form of supplements, enriched foods, or both, as well as consuming foods high in folic acid as part of a balanced diet.
