Lily Nichols is a qualified nutritionist who has done a great deal of research relating to pregnancy. The following information is shared as it is highly relevant in current times when marketing is clever and self-prescribing is encouraged by sellers of products.
The information is based on U.S. guidelines. Fortunately, in Australia we have very strict rules governing nutritional supplements, in particular those prescribed by qualified naturopaths and nutritionists. This, along with the individualised treatment you receive from a qualified health professional, are reasons to consult rather than self-prescribe.
“I get a lot of questions about supplements—what to take, how much, and when—but one thing that’s often overlooked is where you’re buying them from. And yes, that matters more than you might think.
Here’s why:
Unlike prescription medications, dietary supplements aren’t necessarily held to the same standards for quality and purity — a lot of this falls on the manufacturer to do their due diligence themselves. This is why I’m so incredibly picky about which products I recommend!!
That means what’s listed on the label isn’t always what’s in the bottle, unless the brand has done the work to ensure their incoming ingredients, final formulation, and third-party lab testing of each batch is pure and matches their label claims.
Another consideration is to be careful with who and where you’re buying from. Buying directly from the trusted manufacturer/brand (or from a reliable distributor who purchases wholesale directly from the brand) ensures you’re getting the real deal. You want to be really careful if you order supplements on Amazon. If you do, you must check who the seller is! It should be the brand themselves, not some random third party seller.
Products sold through third party sellers have a greater risk of issues like:
- Counterfeit products
- Expired supplements relabeled with new dates
- Improper storage conditions that can degrade potency (e.g. being stored in a hot/humid warehouse versus a climate controlled facility can damage delicate nutrients, like B-vitamins or omega-3 fats)
- Damaged seals or tampering
This is especially concerning during pregnancy, postpartum, or when trying to conceive—times when nutrient needs are higher and supplement quality really counts.
For this reason, I always recommend buying from the brands themselves (whether on their site or once you’ve confirmed in your Amazon order that it’s sold by the actual brand) or from trusted distributors.
Reliable supplement brands not only test for purity and potency, but also follow stricter manufacturing practices. That means you can be confident you’re actually getting what you paid for — and that it’s safe and effective.
You will find more information on pre-conception, pregnancy and post-partum support in my book which is available on Amazon.
