02 femme prenatal

You should start using a high-quality prenatal product like 01 FEMME PRENATAL as soon as you first think about being pregnant – but at the latest when you hold a positive test in your hand.

For years, folic acid has been considered the gold standard for reducing the risk of neural tube defects (malformations of the brain and spinal cord) in babies. However, new scientific findings show that vitamin B12 and choline are also crucial for the healthy development of the nervous system – and effectively complement the effects of folic acid. We took precisely these mechanisms of action into account when formulating FEMME Prenatal.

However, deficiencies in precisely these nutrients are often the reason for an unfulfilled desire to have children. Since a deficiency in only one nutrient is rare, we have naturally also considered other essential nutrients that you need for fertility and hormonal balance – and in optimal doses.


Why should you start as early as possible?

Because neural tube defects can develop very early in pregnancy – often before you even know you're pregnant. Therefore, it's crucial to have an adequate folic acid supply right from the moment of conception, i.e., when the egg is fertilized. It's not worth experimenting with our baby's brain.

Key supplements include folic acid, iron, iodine, vitamin D, and omega-3 (DHA). These nutrients are crucial for your baby's healthy development and your own health.

If you opt for high-quality, lab-tested products like O2 FEMME, which are specifically formulated for pregnant women, you're on the safe side. Always pay attention to the quality and transparency of the ingredients.

Our formulas are safe for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and babies, tested and continuously adapted to current guidelines.
Our capsules are free from colorants, separating agents and fillers – for a pure and effective supply, so that you and your baby only get what really helps.

No – FEMME PRENATAL 01 contains the recommended daily amount in the form of bioactive Quatrefolic®.

A good supply of nutrients such as folic acid, omega-3 and iodine has been proven to support the development of your baby's brain, nervous system and immune system.

One pack contains 60 capsules and lasts for 30 days (2 capsules daily). You can also conveniently have the product delivered to your home monthly as a subscription, so you don't have to remember to refill it.

Because our handcrafted production allows us to omit them. Your body only needs what truly helps. Our capsules are free of dyes, anti-caking agents, and fillers.

That's what we all want – but unfortunately, reality is different. Ideally, you would get all the essential micronutrients during pregnancy through a balanced diet. However, various factors often make this difficult today:

1. Nutrient loss due to modern food production:

Industrial processing, long transport routes, and storage lead to the loss of many vitamins and minerals. Even fruits and vegetables contain significantly fewer nutrients today than they did a few decades ago.

2. Dietary habits and new trends:

More and more women are eating less meat or none at all – consciously or unconsciously, for health or sustainability reasons. However, many nutrients such as iron, vitamin B12, and choline are primarily found in animal products and are therefore more difficult to obtain through a purely plant-based diet.

3. Increased need during pregnancy:

The need for nutrients – especially folic acid, vitamin B12, choline, vitamin D, iron, zinc, and iodine – increases significantly during pregnancy. Even with the best diet, it is often difficult to reliably meet these daily requirements.

4. Critical time windows:

Some nutrients, such as folic acid, are crucial in the very first weeks of pregnancy, when many women don't even know they're pregnant. The development of the spinal cord and brain, in particular, takes place during these early weeks – it's definitely not worth experimenting or leaving it to chance.

Conclusion:

Even with a healthy diet, ensuring an optimal supply of all essential micronutrients during pregnancy and while trying to conceive is challenging. That's why FEMME Prenatal 01 & 02 was developed – a medically sound dietary supplement that provides targeted support right from the start. This way, you can be sure that you and your baby are optimally nourished – no guesswork, no compromises.

Vitamin A is indispensable for cell division, growth, eye development and the baby's immune system.

However, women who follow a plant-based diet usually only consume beta-carotene – a precursor that the body must first convert into active vitamin A. The conversion rate varies considerably from person to person and can be severely limited in cases of genetic variants (e.g., the BCO1 mutation). Studies show that approximately 40% of people have this reduced conversion rate. Furthermore, the conversion efficiency decreases even further with high beta-carotene intake.

Therefore, we rely on retinyl palmitate – directly effective vitamin A – in a safely low dose of 225 µg.

This is well below the internationally established upper limit of 3000 µg per day (EFSA), but ensures a basic supply for all women, even those with reduced conversion capacity. Diet (vegetables, fruit) continues to provide beta-carotene – we supplement only selectively and safely. The critical period for teratogenic risks is between days 15 and 60 post-conception – our low dosage carefully takes this into account. During breastfeeding, vitamin A intake is adjusted, as the risk of direct fetal exposure no longer exists.

Sources: EFSA 2015, WHO 2020, DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.2009.27993D, DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqac106, PubMed ID: 28328354

Vitamin B12 is THE critical factor in vegan or vegetarian diets. The official recommendations for pregnant women (e.g., DGE: 4.5 µg/day) apply to omnivorous diets – but women following a plant-based diet often have lower stores.

Italy, for example, recommends 50 µg of vitamin B12 per day for pregnant vegetarians. Studies show that 100 µg/day is optimal to replenish stores and minimize risks to the baby (e.g., neurological damage, developmental delay, anemia). Vitamin B12 has no known threshold for side effects; it is absorbed as needed, and excesses are simply excreted. Absorption is limited—of a 100 µg dose, only 2–3 µg are effectively absorbed.

Therefore, our products contain 100 µg of methylcobalamin – for maximum safety, even in cases of absorption problems.

Conclusion: Current research shows that vitamin B12 supplementation with 100 µg during pregnancy in women with a plant-based diet has a clearly positive benefit-risk ratio, as there is no upper limit for B12, dosages up to 1000–2000 µg are considered safe, while a B12 deficiency can cause serious consequences such as neural tube defects and developmental disorders in the child.

Sources: Rizzo 2016, EFSA 2015, DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD013823.pub2, DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-034987, PubMed ID: 28974367

Vitamin E (tocopherols) is considered an important fat-soluble antioxidant, but the research on supplementation during pregnancy is sobering:

• Lack of efficacy: There is no scientific evidence to support the additional benefit of vitamin E supplementation during pregnancy. Cochrane reviews and other systematic analyses show that routine vitamin E supplementation (alone or with vitamin C) does not significantly reduce the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, preeclampsia, or low birth weight. Instead, the data suggest potential disadvantages: In the large Cochrane analysis (21 studies, >20,000 women), supplementation was associated with an increased rate of progesterone-emergent premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and more frequent lower abdominal pain. The authors conclude that vitamin E supplementation during pregnancy offers no benefits for mother and child, but rather potential risks.
• Potential harm: This finding has led international guidelines to advise against the routine use of high-dose antioxidants – according to the WHO, vitamin E (and C) should not be used routinely during pregnancy (who.int ). Vitamin E supplementation was associated with an increased risk of abdominal pain (RR 1.66) and premature rupture of membranes at term (RR 1.77). These side effects outweigh the only proven benefit of reduced placental abruption.
• Adequate supply through diet: Additional intake of vitamin E is not considered necessary during pregnancy, as the daily requirement can be well covered by a balanced, healthy diet.
• Evidence-based decision: The AOK fact box confirms that there is no evidence of benefit from routine vitamin E intake during pregnancy. In fact, it may even contribute to abdominal pain.

Against this background, NUTRILAB MUNICH consciously omits vitamin E from its formula. This decision follows the evidence-based principle: "No additive without proven benefit." Mother and child are adequately supplied with vitamin E through a good diet – an extra supplement offers no scientifically proven advantage.

Sources: Cochrane 2015, Miller et al. 2005, DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004069.pub3, DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007176.pub2, PubMed ID: 16210918, AOK-Faktenbox Vitamin E** Cochrane 2015, Miller et al. 2005, DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004069.pub3, DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007176.pub2, PubMed ID: 16210918

Selenium supports thyroid function, the immune system, and antioxidant defense mechanisms. Plants often provide little selenium because the content in the soil varies greatly.

Selenium yeast contains selenium in organic form (selenomethionine), which can accumulate in the body – especially with long-term use. Sodium selenite, on the other hand, is absorbed quickly, utilized efficiently, and excreted in excess. Animal and human studies show that sodium selenite is used more efficiently for selenoprotein synthesis and is better regulated.

Our decision: Sodium selenite – safe, bioavailable and without risk of accumulation.

Sources: WHO 2004, EFSA 2014, DOI: 10.1007/s12011-018-1618-1, DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2018.11.002, PubMed ID: 15136966

02 FEMME prenatal was specially developed for the second and third trimesters of pregnancy – precisely tailored to your baby's intensive growth phase. It combines all essential micronutrients in a sensible, medically sound dosage – without unnecessary additives, vegan, and regionally produced. 02 FEMME is medically developed and tested, so you can feel completely safe and optimally cared for.

Why is O2 FEMME so important for this phase of pregnancy?

It used to be said that "food for two" was common, but today we know: "Think for two, but don't eat for two."

The quality of nutrition is more important than the quantity, as micronutrient requirements increase disproportionately to energy requirements, sometimes by 30 to 100 percent. Therefore, targeted prenatal multivitamin supplementation is particularly valuable at this time.

From the second trimester, that is, from the fourth month onward, your baby enters a phase of rapid growth: organs mature, the brain develops rapidly, the skeleton hardens, and your baby builds up its own nutrient stores. The need for nutrients such as iron, vitamin D, iodine, and omega-3 fatty acids increases noticeably.

O2 FEMME prenatal was developed precisely for this purpose – specially tailored to this intensive growth phase leading up to birth. It contains carefully dosed iron, vitamins D and K2, iodine, magnesium, zinc, and selenium – all in tested dosages to ensure you and your baby are optimally nourished.

Why is this so important?

• Iron and iodine are now especially important for your baby's blood formation, thyroid function and mental development.
• Vitamin D promotes bone formation and the healthy development of the nervous system.
• Vitamin K2 ensures that calcium gets to where it is needed – into your baby's bones and not into the blood vessels.
• Magnesium, zinc and selenium support cell division, the immune system and energy balance – everything you and your baby need right now.
  

The advantages at a glance:

• They support blood formation, thyroid function, and your baby's mental development.
  
• Strengthen bones and nerves.
  
• Ensures that calcium gets to where it's needed – into your baby's bones, not into their blood vessels.
  
• They promote cell division, the immune system, and a balanced energy level.
  

Designed for you – intended for your baby:

02 FEMME is free from unnecessary additives, vegan, maximally transparent and regionally produced – for more safety on your pregnancy journey.

Tip:

Especially during this intensive growth phase, it's often difficult to meet the increased nutritional needs through diet alone. O2 FEMME takes this worry off your hands – so you can fully concentrate on yourself and your little miracle.