What supplements are you taking? « Back to Group Discussions

[TwilightJoy]

I love supplements!

I try to eat organic and semi-TF, but I'm not very strict about it.

I'm taking one set of prenatals one day, and another set the next day... switching up the brands.

Odd days:
New Chapter Perfect Prenatal: http://www.newchapter.com/multi-vitamins/perfect-prenatal#product-information
New Chapter Wholemega Prenatal: http://www.newchapter.com/fish-oil/wholemega-prenatal

Even days:
Garden of Life Vitamin Code Prenatal: http://www.gardenoflife.com/ProductsforLife/THEVITAMINCODEsupsup/MultivitaminFormulas/RAWPrenatal/tabid/1823/Default.aspx
Garden of Life Oceans Mom: http://www.gardenoflife.com/ProductsforLife/OCEANS3/OceansMom/tabid/1822/Default.aspx

Every day:
Fermented Cod Liver Oil Capsules: http://www.greenpasture.org/public/Products/CodLiverOil/index.cfm
Butter Oil Capsules: http://www.radiantlifecatalog.com/product/HIGH-VITAMIN-BUTTER-OIL/healthy-fats-oils
Tri-Boron (for calcium): http://www.twinlab.com/product/tri-boron-plus

Do you think that's sufficient? Partially lol but partially serious...

I also drink green smoothies every day. I make one blenderful, and then pour it into 3 thermoses. So about 1.5 cups a day?

[SweetMama34]

You're way ahead of me! I don't know the brands off the top of my head....but I know I take a prenatal (and have every day for over ten years now!), vitamin D, calcium and B6. Fish oil when I remember (it's a tough one right now...I burp it up and it makes me nauseous when I do!)

[DrMommaLaelle]

Sounds like you've definitely got it all covered!!  

I go back and forth with my stance on supplements.  Sometimes I think that my whole foods/Paleo/Primal diet should be sufficient to give my body what it needs.  Other times I start thinking maybe I should take them "just in case" and go to one of the practitioners I know to help test my body for what I "need".  But then I stop taking for a few days, and don't think about it for another couple of months :-).  

So right now, I'm not taking anything.  The supplements I have and am thinking I will likely start taking again soon are:

1) Thorne Basic Prenatal

2) A cal/mag 1:1 liquid

3) Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omegas

What I don't have, but really want to order and take (thanks for the reminder Twilight Joy!) are fermented cod liver oil and high vitamin butter oil.

I am definitely going to look into ordering them soon, and likely start taking the Prenatals again.  I get them from my ND, but had considered trying the New Chapter ones whenever I got pregnant again, so I might get some of those too and alternate.  My ND  also always says that most dosing is higher than what we actually need, so although the bottle says 3 per day, she recommends taking 1-2 instead :-) . Something to think about if you already feel really good about what you're taking in in your diet!

[TwilightJoy]

Dr. Momma- are you actually a doctor? PhD?

[DrMommaLaelle]

I'm a Doctor of Chiropractic  .  

[DrMommaLaelle]

Although not practicing much these days since I'm a stay at home Mommy :-) . Was just starting to get back into it more after 3 years when we got news of babe #2 on the way!  I miss it, especially seeing pregnant mommies and babies, but it's totally been worth it to spend as much time as I can with my son.  

[nstewart]

Taking notes!  Right now, I am taking a regular prenatal, Omega 3s, and a vitamin B complex supplement that my naturopath "prescribed" to help with energy and progesterone (pre-BFP!).  Now that summer is ending, I need to re-start with vitamin D too.

[TwilightJoy]

Originally Posted by DrMommaLaelle 

I'm a Doctor of Chiropractic   .  

Counts in my book! I adore my chiro... and definitely call him dr!

[Lynann]

My supplement regime looks like this

From the start: Prenatal, B6, B12 & DHA

At 20 weeks add: 1000mg Vitamin C daily

At 32 weeks add: EPO, start at 1 per day and work up to 3 per day at 36 weeks

As needed: Floradix or Liquid Chlorophyll for low hemoglobin levels.

This time I'll also be researching for herbs to decrease the amount of postpartum bleeding.

I also follow the Brewer's Pregnancy Diet, and will supplement my protein intake towards the end with protein shakes. (We need 100g of protein a day when pregnant)

During the 2nd trimester I'll also start drinking more Red Raspberry Leaf Tea too.

[tbarnett]

Dr Momma... wellness chiropractors are the BEST!  after years and years of TTC, it was my wellness chiropractor/kinesiologist and his wife that handles the nutrition side of the practice that finally helped us acheive our goal!  

I take Standard Process supplements - Catalyn (their version of a multi vitamin) taking 2 -twice a day (will probably up that to 3 twice a day here shortly) and I take their high quality Tuna Omega supplement 1 twice a day with it.  I also take Drenamin for Adrenal support (something that pregnancy can take a toll on and is helpful in Progesterone production)  those are my staples.  

[crunchyruchie]

Oh, this is great!  I'm unsure as to whether I should take all of the supplements I actually have in my cabinet (new chapter iron, new chapter calcium/mag and B6 and D) so I'm planning on asking my doctor before I get really exploratory. As for now I'm sticking with Rainbow Light prenatal and a DHA by spectrum, which is really great. I prefer New Chapter, but I only had a regular multivitamin from new chapter, which meant I had to dig the Rainbow light from the back of the pantry from when I was TTC for a month a couple of years ago! Don't worry. They haven't expired yet!
 

[sweetlowmom]

Hi all,

I'm taking cod liver oil gelcaps, 4 a day - I can't remember the brand but it is one of the WAPF "good" (meaning more affordable LOL!!) ones, in addition to the whole foods Prenatal vitamin. I go back and forth on taking the prenatal - I know WAPF doesn't really recommend them, but I'm also not drinking a quart of raw milk every day! :) I do eat a lot of butter, so figure I'm covered even though I can't afford butter oil. I'm trying to eat well - especially important because I have diabetes (type 1 - I've had it since I was 10), and so far haven't had too much nausea, so hopefully that will continue. We'll see! It's great to read what everyone is taking.

[doulacoach]

Just drinking raspberry tea. It's supposed to be sonic for the uterus.

[kikaaaso]

I am just taking prenatals and an occasional cup of raspberry leaf tea :) I am thinking of a probiotic though..any recommendations?

[Mamma Mia]

I'm taking the Rainbow Light prenatal (once daily version) and drinking red raspberry leaf, nettles, and alfalfa infusions.

I'm not generally into supplements and try to get the nutrients I need from food and herbs.  I'm also not into making myself miserable with a crazy supplement regime! I will probably take evening primrose oil in late pregnancy.

[joy2grow]

I also follow a paleo/primal/traditional foods diet   Even though most of what I eat is nutritionally dense, I am committed to supplementation during TTC and pregnancy....just in case. 

I take Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw prenatal, Country Life Total Mins multi-mineral complex, and Carlson cod liver oil.  A few months back I purchased the WAP highly recommended butter oil/fermented cod liver oil blend by Green Pasture (chocolate cream flavor) I found the taste so horrendous I switched back to the lightly lemon Carlson that I actually enjoy!  I promised myself if/when I got pregnant I'd figure a way to get the good stuff down -- any suggestions?  I'm thinking I may need to buy empty capsules and do it that way.  I also have grass fed liver in the freezer that I've been saving for pregnancy.  I intend to cut it into little pieces, refreeze, and then take whole raw chunks as a supplement. 

As soon as I got my BFP (just two days ago at 14 dpo) I gave up my morning coffee and substituted with Alvita brand Red Raspberry Leaf tea.  I know there are more effective ways to brew/use this kind of tea that I'll need to research.  Fortunately I really like the taste of RRL tea since giving up coffee is no easy feat for me! 

@kikaaaso, I suggest Garden of Life Primal Defense for a high quality probiotic. 

[kikaaaso]

@kikaaaso, I suggest Garden of Life Primal Defense for a high quality probiotic. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you, joy2grow :)

[amyknits1076]

I was using ProCycle PMS to help with fertility and PMS issues, but I have half a bottle left and am going to be using it as my Prenatal until it runs out. My OB is fine with it since it has 800 mg of folic acid (and lots of other good stuff).

I've also been taking Flax Oil capsules and vitamin E capsules for fertility, as well as cod liver oild capsules. I'm going to continue them for now.

I have a ton of Standard Process supplements, and I know I need to be taking more stuff, but I don't want to get overwhelmed taking 20 pills a day. My diet is not perfect, but it is MUCH better than it was with my first pregnancy, definitely has room for improvement. I'm doing the Brewer Pregnancy Diet to help avoid pre-eclampsia this time, I think it will help a lot.

I will probably start taking my SP Catalyn and Drenamin (prev. poster mentioned it helps with progesterone and also adrenal support- I definitely need that!). And probably get a new prenatal and some cal/mag.

Does anyone have any other recommendations? I'd be especially interested in supplements to help me combat high blood pressure. Thanks!

[BeagleMommy]

Magnesium is the best thing I know of for high blood pressure! I take Natural Calm daily as a magnesium supplement. It's tasty and takes the taste of my B-complex out of my mouth. It's also a safe way to deal with pregnancy induced constipation, according to my midwife last time.

I'm not taking a prenatal. I never have. Last time, I just showed my vitamins to my midwife and she said it had more "stuff" in it than most prenatals. Now I'm taking Vitacost's Synergy Viva! whole food multi. I also take folic acid and occasionally a nasty tasting B-complex. Oh, and cinnamon tingle fermented cod liver oil/ butter oil blend. So far, my stomach has been agreeing with this.

I am also attempting the Brewer diet. Today I have had my quart of raw milk and two eggs! I don't normally consume this much dairy, but it's an awesome way to keep from getting too hungry.

Count me in as another Paleo/Primal/semi-TF mama.
How many of us does that make?

[snozzberry]

Originally Posted by TwilightJoy 

I also drink green smoothies every day. I make one blenderful, and then pour it into 3 thermoses. So about 1.5 cups a day?

What recipe do you use? I've never made/tried a green smoothie, but if it tastes yummy I'm up for trying it!

As far as supplements, I'm taking:

• Progesterone - 200 mg due to a luteal phase deficiency
• B-complex chewable
• C - I read in a fertility book that vitamin C and bioflavonoids can help prevent stretch marks. I took is religiously during my first pregnancy, and no stretch marks, so trying that again!
• Calcium & magnesium
• DHA - I'm vegetarian and eat lots of eggs, but I just want to be on the safe side

I was also taking a women's multivitamin that I just stopped this week because I realized that it had way too much vitamin A in non-beta-carotene form ... oops.

Any recommendations on a prenatal brand? I'll take a look at the ones mentioned above!