Prenatal Vitamins

[bethanta]

Any recommendations for a prenatal vitamin?

This is my first pregnancy, and I know NOTHING about prenatal vitamins. When we interview midwives later this week I plan on asking them for recommendations as well, but I figured many of you would have good ideas.

Thanks!

[AliciaP8]

My naturopath suggested Quest brand women's vitamins while we were trying to conceive and beyond. She did want me to take additional D vitamin though.

[mwright]

I really like the "Rainbow Light", they are a high quality prenatal and I can tell when I haven't been taking them..as in I feel crappy, lower energy etc. The pills are not too big so easy to swallow. I have tried multi brands and nothing compares to the RL.

[aikigypsy]

Right now I'm taking a regular multivitamin (Centrum) plus 400 iu of folic acid. I mentioned it when I called to make my first prenatal appoinment and the nurse on call seemed to think that was fine. I go for all-natural in a lot of other things, but with vitamins I think it's a waste of money. Last time I used trader joe's prenatals or some other, less expensive kind that I got at a big supermarket.

[Jelinifer]

Whole Foods Store brand right now... which my doctor has approved. Once we graduate from my infertility specialist to a MW, I'll be asking to see if there's anything better.

[brooklyn_warbler]

Originally Posted by mwright

I really like the "Rainbow Light", they are a high quality prenatal and I can tell when I haven't been taking them..as in I feel crappy, lower energy etc. The pills are not too big so easy to swallow. I have tried multi brands and nothing compares to the RL.

this is what i took last time, but i have a hard time swallowing them, especially in the first tri.

[VT mountaingirl]

I am taking the Deva Vegan Prenatal. I love them! They are a once daily vitamin. I have also taken the Rainbow Light prenatal vitamins with my two previous pregnancies. I thought they were very good as well. I decided to go with the Deva prenatal vitamins this time for the extra B vitamins and the fact that they were a little cheaper. Good luck with your decision!

[brooklyn_warbler]

Originally Posted by VT mountaingirl

I am taking the Deva Vegan Prenatal. I love them! They are a once daily vitamin. I have also taken the Rainbow Light prenatal vitamins with my two previous pregnancies. I thought they were very good as well. I decided to go with the Deva prenatal vitamins this time for the extra B vitamins and the fact that they were a little cheaper. Good luck with your decision!

how do the devas compare in size to the RL?

[Tenk]

Flintstone's vitamins that I give the kids, + folic acid. I actually take 4-5 800mcg of it because the excess leaves your body in urine. HTH's

[OrchideZ]

I cannot recommend enough taking New Chapter Organics wholefood based prenatals.
Love these! I took them for my 1st pregnancy- never once had morning sickness- and b/c I am still nursing, have been taking them ever since and will continue along with my fish oil caps.

They have probiotics in them for digestion ease and being whole food based means your body uses it all, nothing to expel and no yellow pee.
They cost a bit more but are so worth it. Anyone I have turned on to them hasn't has MS either. I do order mine online which is a great savings over the in-store Whole Foods price. If anyone wants the info, let me know.

[FiberLover]

Another Rainbow Light fan!

I've been taking these for years now every day it seems like...

My midwives recommended them.

I prefer the one a day, be careful that you don't accidentally buy the 6 a day kind, I did that once...

[teale]

Originally Posted by OrchideZ

I cannot recommend enough taking New Chapter Organics wholefood based prenatals.
Love these! I took them for my 1st pregnancy- never once had morning sickness- and b/c I am still nursing, have been taking them ever since and will continue along with my fish oil caps.

They have probiotics in them for digestion ease and being whole food based means your body uses it all, nothing to expel and no yellow pee.
They cost a bit more but are so worth it. Anyone I have turned on to them hasn't has MS either. I do order mine online which is a great savings over the in-store Whole Foods price. If anyone wants the info, let me know.

Thanks for the recommendation! I've been looking for a good prenatal- the one I take now makes me feel sick from the iron in it.

[bethanta]

Thanks for the recommendations! Both the midwives we interviewed recommended rainbow light or new chapter, so we are probably going to go with those even though they are slightly expensive.

Originally Posted by OrchideZ

I cannot recommend enough taking New Chapter Organics wholefood based prenatals.
Love these! I took them for my 1st pregnancy- never once had morning sickness- and b/c I am still nursing, have been taking them ever since and will continue along with my fish oil caps.

They have probiotics in them for digestion ease and being whole food based means your body uses it all, nothing to expel and no yellow pee.
They cost a bit more but are so worth it. Anyone I have turned on to them hasn't has MS either. I do order mine online which is a great savings over the in-store Whole Foods price. If anyone wants the info, let me know.

Where do you order yours online? I will feel a lot better about taking these if they aren't too expensive

[VT mountaingirl]

Originally Posted by brooklyn_warbler

how do the devas compare in size to the RL?

I think they are pretty much the same size. It seems so long ago that I actually had the Rainbow light vites. I never really thought much about the size. I measured one of my Devas and it was 1 1/2 cm long and 1/2 cm thick. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

I also wanted to respond to the post about where we buy vitamins. We go through Vitacost. I think they have a nice selection and decent prices.

[dkenagy]

Rainbow Light just came out with Prenatal Petites!! They are the same awesome (vegan-friendly) vitamins, just smaller. You take 3 (at a time or spread over the day). They are easy to swallow and I don't burp them up (like other "natural" vites I've tried).
I think the best advice is to avoid the once-a-day vitamins coated with a thick "enteric" coating; they are the one of the most common things filtered out of public sewage... meaning, you can't get any nutrition from a vitamin that goes right through you!
I also shop through vitacost. I use upromise so not only do I get a better price, I also get 2% back for my kids' college funds!

[dkenagy]

I wanted to add that I've tried all the "big" brands of natural vitamins and I've had morning sickness with every.single.one. of my pregnancies. Probiotics, prebiotics, I've tried it ALL and still I go with the 24/7 nausea and constant puking from 6 wks to around 20 wks.
I have found that once the m/s kicks in, it helps for me to take my prenatals at night just before bed. I also feel that my body has more of a chance to absorb nutrients while I'm sleeping since digestion is slower. Since I really can't keep food down during the day, I feel it's extra-important to get as much as I can out of my prenatals... plus the fact that I generally don't get up during the night to puke. :P

[OrchideZ]

Originally Posted by bethanta

Thanks for the recommendations! Both the midwives we interviewed recommended rainbow light or new chapter, so we are probably going to go with those even though they are slightly expensive.




Where do you order yours online? I will feel a lot better about taking these if they aren't too expensive

Hi Beth...I order from essenceoforganics.com for my NC prenatals as its the lowest price I have seen online.
I get the 180 caps bottle which is a 2 month supply. At Whole Foods, this would cost $79 or so. On this site its $47 and then you input their New Chapter discount code (nc1) to get more taken off...like $5 or $6 more. Comes out to being under $25 a month and I love these vitamins.
I also have gotten my DH into taking their men's vitamins and we place a big vitamin order all together every other month which brings the total higher for free shipping.
I definitely feel a dip in energy when I miss a vitamin.

[DeChRi]

I tend to struggle with pills my first few months (wierd pregnancy gag thing) so I love, love Nature's Plus Source of Life. Here is thier schtick:

"Multi-vitamin and mineral supplement with whole food concentrates. HYPO-ALLERGENIC. Source of Life Prenatal Liquid is the most comprehensive prenatal liquid supplement ever developed, scientifically designed to provide optimal nutritional support during pregnancy! Just one luscious, indulgent tropical-fruit flavored capful provides expectant mothers with the special nutrition they require. Fast-acting and easily digested, Source of Life Prenatal Liquid is fortified with all essential vitamins and 8 essential minerals, plus the vital energy of nature's premier whole foods, including apple, broccoli, spinach, tomato, brown rice, apricot and bananaso every daily serving supplies natural energy and nutritional strength. Only Source of Life Prenatal Liquid delivers this powerful, health-enhancing nutrition in a versatile, refreshing liquid formulation that is bursting with succulent, natural tropical fruit flavor! Discover the health benefits and taste excitement of this special "life stage" Source of Life formulationyou and your baby will soon be on the way to enhanced well-being and peak health. Start a new life right with Source of Life Prenatal Liquid! A serving of Source of Life Prenatal Liquid supplies 800 mcg of folate (100% of the Daily Value for pregnant or lactating women). Women who consume healthful diets with adequate folate may reduce the risk of brain or spinal cord birth defects. "

I use these until the gag things goes, then I do love the New Chapter!

[starkyld]

I'm also on the Rainbow Light one-a-day. I also take the Whole Foods Prenatals sometimes (but haven't this pregnancy) and think they're okay, but that's three big pills daily.

[henny penny]

I used New Chapter with my first pregnancy, all through two years of nursing and am taking them now. I just love them. No morning sickness here and the pills are small and chewable in a pinch.

http://www.thedailygreen.com/environ...itamins-082803
This may be old news (I first saw it on mdc quite a while ago) but it's worth looking at regarding lead (lead!) in vitamins. Rainbow Light was in the top 10 for lead exposure.