What is iodine?

Iodine is a mineral your body needs to make thyroid hormones. The thyroid is a gland in your neck that makes hormones that help your body use and store energy from food. You need iodine during pregnancy to help your baby’s brain and nervous system develop. The nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and nerves) helps your baby move, think, and feel.

During pregnancy, you need 220 micrograms of iodine every day. Not all prenatal vitamins contain iodine, so make sure you eat foods that have iodine in them. Ask your provider if you need to take an iodine supplement.

Good sources of iodine include:

1. Fish
2. Milk, cheese, and yogurt
3. Enriched or fortified cereal and bread (check the package label)
4. Iodized salt (salt with iodine added to it; check the package label)