What is MMS?
Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS)
MMS are a daily supplement of vitamins and minerals for pregnant women.
MMS provide 15 essential vitamins and minerals during pregnancy, including iron and folic acid.
MMS are also called:
- prenatal vitamins
- prenatal multivitamins
What are the benefits of MMS?
MMS has important benefits for pregnant women and their unborn baby.
MMS helps pregnant women by:
- Preventing anemia
- Improving nutritional status
- Reducing maternal micronutrient deficiencies
MMS helps her baby by:
- Promoting healthy growth
- Reducing risk of stillbirth
- Reducing risk of being born too small or born too early
- Reducing risk of undernutrition in early infancy
Key points to remember about MMS
MMS are for pregnant women.
- If a woman has leftover tablets after delivering her baby, she can continue taking them while breastfeeding.
- MMS supports the health and nutrition of the pregnant woman and her unborn baby.
- MMS have 15 vitamins and minerals, including iron and folic acid.
How should pregnant women take MMS?
Pregnant women should:
- She should take one (1) tablet each day until the bottle is finished.
- She should try to take with food or at bedtime to reduce side effects.
- She should try to take the tablet at the same time each day.
While taking MMS, do NOT:
- Do not chew or crush the tablet.
- Do not take MMS and IFA together, unless advised by a healthcare professional.
Possible side effects
When taking MMS, some pregnant women experience upset stomach, constipation, headaches, or bad taste in the mouth.
These side effects are normal, mild, and manageable.
These are usually temporary and will go away as the body adjusts to the MMS.
To help reduce side effects, she can try:
- Drinking plenty of water (8-12 glasses per day)
- Taking MMS with food
- Taking MMS close to bedtime
What strategies can pregnant women use to remember to take MMS every day?
Pregnant women can use the strategy that works best for them to help them remember to take one tablet every day.
Strategies she might try are:
- Using a calendar to track each day she takes her MMS
- Asking a family member to help remind her each day
- Keeping the bottle in a safe place that will help her remember
- Taking the tablet at the same time each day
How can service providers support women’s nutrition during pregnancy?
To support women’s nutrition and a safe, healthy pregnancy, service providers can counsel pregnant women to:
- Go for antenatal care services as soon as possible during pregnancy.
- Continue going for antenatal care services throughout pregnancy.
- Start taking MMS as early as possible and take 1 tablet every day for the entire pregnancy.
- Eat a variety of foods each day during pregnancy.
- Begin breastfeeding as soon as the baby is morn and exclusively breastfeed until the baby is six months old.