Why do I need copper?
Copper, a trace mineral found in all plant and animal tissues, is essential for forming red blood cells a key process if you're pregnant, when your blood supply doubles. Copper also aids tissue growth, glucose metabolism, and growth of healthy hair. It also helps form a baby's heart, skeletal and nervous systems, arteries, and blood vessels.

How much do I need?

There's no established recommended daily allowance for copper during pregnancy 2 to 3 mg daily are considered safe for adults.

Should I take a supplement?
If you follow a healthy, varied diet, you'll probably get enough copper. Nevertheless, a good prenatal multivitamin usually includes an adequate amount.

What are the best food sources?

 3 oz. liver: 2.4 mg

 3 oz. steamed oysters: 2.3 mg

 3 oz. canned crab meat: 1.1 mg

 1 cup cooked kidney beans: 0.56 mg

 1 cup cooked brown rice: 0.51 mg

 1 medium baked potato: 0.47 mg

 1 cup cooked pinto beans: 0.44 mg

 1 cup cooked black beans: 0.36 mg

 1 cup boiled spinach: 0.31 mg

FYI Don't cook food in uninsulated copper pots; unlike iron pots, which enhance your body's ability to absorb vitamin C, copper ones react with food and destroy vitamin C, as well as vitamin E and folic acid and may increase the copper in your diet to toxic levels.