What supplements/vitamins/herbs are you taking?? - Page 2

[foodmachine]

Originally Posted by Suzannah

Doesn't the prenatal cover b-6 and folic acid requirements, along with vit. c and iron? Why would you take additional folic acid and vit. c? I understand the calcium and omegas, but not the others.

Just curious, not critical. I honestly don't know. Is it bad to take additional b-6 and folic acid? I have contemplated doing this for nausea, but I am not sure if it's useful.

Also, why cranberry supplement? I made this yummy grapefruit/cranberry compote thing that I eat over yogurt, and it feels (and tastes) really good going into my body. Is there some special benefit to cranberry?

Also, what is hyperemesis gravidum? It doesn't sound good....

Hi! Hyperemesis gravidum (HG) is a total nightmare! I was throwing up 8 times an hour when I was admitted to the hospital. It causes dehydration, weight loss and as PP said, puts the baby at risk. I take 3x50mg B6 a day to fight it, so that's not covered by my pre-natal. Vitamin C (which I usually only supplement if I'm out of juice and citrus) is necessary for B6 absorption. My pre-natal has 400 mcg folic but I take 800mcg and doses as high as 1000mcg are commonly recommended to help prevent premature birth so may be a reason for some women who take more.

B6 intake should not exceed 200mg.

[Suzannah]

Pinokoi and Foodmachine, thanks!

(rushes off to check folic acid on prenatal, and adds Emergen-C to the grocery list...).

[Jelinifer]

I'm taking a prenatal multi, Quercetin with Bromelain (for severe allergies that being PG has made even worse) and as many cups of raspberry leaf tea w/nettle as I can squeeze in each day.

[foodmachine]

I'm about to edit my PP b/c the folic acid units should have been mcg. BIG difference. Sorry for any confusion.

Another important thing I just read is that epilectics should be careful with folic acid supplements b/c more than 1mg a day can increase seizures.

[olien]

Originally Posted by foodmachine

pre-natal
folic acid
omega 3
D3
Influenzium d-30 (homeopathic immunization)
b6 (hoping to avoid hyperemesis gravidum this time ) w/ vitamin C
pro-biotic or kefir (HG help)
enzymes (also to help with the HG)
two cups of nettle/RRL/mint tea a day (will increase my nettle intake for iron)

And I need to start with lots of fiber already . Any fun ideas for that???

Is the Influenzium like a homeopathic flu vaccine? Thats what it sounds like. Is it in the little blue vials by Boiron??

[Suka]

Originally Posted by Pinoikoi

Not sure if there is a link between the headaches and calcium, but I have read that calcium and magnesium work together, and that it is imp to avoid calcium carbonate during pregnancy, so be careful about the calcium choices that are out there!

Its not calcium carbonate that you should avoid it is calcium citrate or calcium lactate

"Check the supplement's label for the amount of "elemental calcium" per tablet. Calcium carbonate provides the highest amount of elemental calcium compared to supplements containing calcium citrate or calcium lactate. It is readily absorbed by the body"

http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/159_9472.asp

[foodmachine]

Originally Posted by olien

Is the Influenzium like a homeopathic flu vaccine? Thats what it sounds like. Is it in the little blue vials by Boiron??

Yes it's a homeopathic flu vaccine. I bought it from a homeopath here in Sweden so it's a different brand but I'm sure Boiron has it too.

[Pinoikoi]

Originally Posted by Suka

Its not calcium carbonate that you should avoid it is calcium citrate or calcium lactate

"Check the supplement's label for the amount of "elemental calcium" per tablet. Calcium carbonate provides the highest amount of elemental calcium compared to supplements containing calcium citrate or calcium lactate. It is readily absorbed by the body"

http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/159_9472.asp

hmm.. I am looking at my midwife's instruction sheet, and it says to avoid calcium carbonate. It says it builds up calcification in the placenta. This is the one she likes which I don't think is any of those.

http://www.appleadayandbeyond.com/search_result.cfm

Calcification is even partially defined as coming from "calcium carbonate"

http://www.answers.com/topic/calcification

Dangers associated with calcification of placenta

http://www.thelaboroflove.com/articl...calcification/

These deposits of calcium can cause certain small parts of the placenta to die.

your health care provider will likely wish to monitor your baby at regular intervals to make sure that your baby is receiving the nutritional content that he needs, and that his nutritional intake is not obstructed by the calcium deposits.

It does say that the calcium deposits usually don't harm the fetus (probably the reason March of Dimes doesn't seem too concerned about calcium carbonate) but the extra monitoring and testing kind of makes me think that a doctor would push for an induction or csection sooner, ya know? Some the articles I found made comparisons between smokers calcifications and calcium carbonate's calcifications on the placenta..

I also read that things like TUMS have calcium carbonate in them- isn't that a chalk? Yuck.

[Danielle13]

Originally Posted by brownskinchinee

I just take prenatal for now. I bought it at target...no prenatal care yet, still trying to figure it out. no ins. I too get really bad headaches almost daily, is that cuz of low calcium?

for me my headaches were caused from a magnesium deficancy.

http://www.relieve-migraine-headache...migraines.html

If I make sure to take very high doses of magnesium/calcium/vitamin D my headaches are MUCH better. from a daily headache and atleast one debilitating migraine a week to 2 headaches in the last 10 days If I forget I get a headache again and have to double my "dose" until it's gone.

I do also take a very high quality calcium and magnesium suppliment. It's food in a pill basically. So it's totally absorbable. I'd look into it if you have super bad headaches

[redvlagrl]

I don't take anything right now (23 weeks). I took folic acid for the first tri.

With my last pregnancy I didn't take anything either and when my bloodwork came back in my last tri the mw was very surprised I wasn't because my levels were so good.

We eat a varied diet with lots of veggies. I prefer to get my nutrients naturally than from a vitamin company - many of whom are far dodgier than pharmaceutical companies, IMO.

[gardenmommy]

Originally Posted by redvlagrl

I don't take anything right now (23 weeks). I took folic acid for the first tri.

With my last pregnancy I didn't take anything either and when my bloodwork came back in my last tri the mw was very surprised I wasn't because my levels were so good.

We eat a varied diet with lots of veggies. I prefer to get my nutrients naturally than from a vitamin company - many of whom are far dodgier than pharmaceutical companies, IMO.

I'm glad you are able to do this. I worked hard to do this with my first three babies, and by the end of my third pregnancy, it was obvious that I was not getting enough of some nutrients. With my 4th and now my 5th babies, I've decided that it is far more important for me to get the nutrients than not, even if they are coming from a supplement. So now I judiciously supplement, and I feel SO much better. I hope you never experience the issues I had, as it really was not much fun.

[reneeisorym]

Prenatal multi
Omega-3/DHA
Acidophilus

The acidophilus is my wonder drug. It helps me keep my bowels regular and prevents yeast infections. (I get yeast infections sooooo frequently without them.) It also helps the immune system.

[redvlagrl]

Originally Posted by gardenmommy

I'm glad you are able to do this. I worked hard to do this with my first three babies, and by the end of my third pregnancy, it was obvious that I was not getting enough of some nutrients. With my 4th and now my 5th babies, I've decided that it is far more important for me to get the nutrients than not, even if they are coming from a supplement. So now I judiciously supplement, and I feel SO much better. I hope you never experience the issues I had, as it really was not much fun.

So sorry you had to go through this, mama. I guess I'm very lucky that I am able to absorb what I need through my food.

I wasn't being judgmental about those who do take prenatal as I know I am not at all typical. I just wanted to say that it is not necessarily a necessity for everyone.

[Pinoikoi]

Originally Posted by redvlagrl

So sorry you had to go through this, mama. I guess I'm very lucky that I am able to absorb what I need through my food.

I wasn't being judgmental about those who do take prenatal as I know I am not at all typical. I just wanted to say that it is not necessarily a necessity for everyone.

I think it also makes a difference where you live.. where I live I HAVE to take extra D because there just isn't enough sunlight this time of year in a regular day.. plus we don't really have fruit trees so I have to purchase all my produce with additional shipping costs.. it would really be tough/impossible? for me to NOT take supplements and still get all my nutrition.

I LOVE living where I do, but I admit, there are a few drawbacks.

[tngirl11]

I take a prenatal, EFA supplement, D3, vitamin E, and Primal Defense (probiotic)
What I've been trying to find out this whole pg is whether or not it's safe to take hyaluronic acid. I normally take it for knee pain, and it helps tremendously. I'm a fitness instructor, so I'm really feeling it now that I haven't been taking it. If anyone happens to know, please let me know!

[Cricket Girl]

whole food organic raw vegan pre-natal by Vitamin Code
probiotic by Dr. Ohhira
Vegan DHA by NuTru
Wheat grass tablets
chlorella
spirulina
B-12

[sunset01]

I take:

Vitamin code raw prenantal
B-Complex
liquid calcium
vitamin c
chlorella
Fish Oil

[SAmama]

Originally Posted by tngirl11

I take a prenatal, EFA supplement, D3, vitamin E, and Primal Defense (probiotic)
What I've been trying to find out this whole pg is whether or not it's safe to take hyaluronic acid. I normally take it for knee pain, and it helps tremendously. I'm a fitness instructor, so I'm really feeling it now that I haven't been taking it. If anyone happens to know, please let me know!

Have you posted on health and healing? Or the allergies thread. There are a lot of super informed mamas there.

[zannster]

prenatal
vitamin D
veg DHA (algae oil)
probiotics - I have a couple that I alternate
vitamin C
chromium picolinate (per my midwife's suggestion, for GD)