What prenatals are you taking?

[MoMommy]

I did a little research before buying my prenatals this time, and I definitely wanted something food based. When I looked at the store, I was shocked to see how much some of them cost. I ended up getting a Wild Oats brand that was normally $70 a bottle, but was on sale for $35. That still seemed like a lot, but there are 180 in the bottle so I figured they'd last me a long time. When I got home, I saw that you are supposed to take FOUR every day! They're only going to last me a month and a half now, and they probably won't be on sale anymore when I need them again. I can't spend $70 a bottle, though. If you're taking prenatals, which ones did you choose?

[mclisa]

I take prenate elite. I've been on them ever since Ellysia and I tolerate them well. They are a prescription.

[aburroughs]

My DH is military, so my prenatals were prescribed and I don't pay anything for them. That being said, before I got preggo I bought some at Wal-Mart and my doctor said they are the exact same thing and would be fine.

[Christi2705]

I've been taking "Spring Valley" prenates for the last couple months. I just got them at Wal-mart.

[crunchymomof2]

I am eating well and taking cod liver oil, a b complex vitamin, and some kelp because I need the iodine. Fairly soon I am going to get a mineral supplement too. I just need to figure out which brand I want to buy. Plus I am making pregnancy tea infusions for minerals and vits.

Michele

[MonkeyPrincess]

Rainbow Lite (? I think they're called) my midwife has them in her office, so I get them from her.

[jecaly]

rainbow light here, too. you take six a day, but they're food based and include lots of herbs and spirulina and such and are formulated to be easily digestible; i've never had a problem with 'em. have been taking them since before getting pregnant with hazel. you can get a deal on them at vitacost.com, but they're still spendy. i take fish oil, too.

for those building their own supplements: don't forget folic acid!

*j

[heathenmom]

Holy monkeys!!! $70 a BOTTLE?!? I'm cheap, I guess. I took the Target brand all through my pregnancy and breastfeeding with Fiona. Target's a little more difficult to get to these days, so I'm taking the Spring Valley brand from Wal-Mart. :

[wirewendy]

My Regimen

Geez, I can't believe I am doing this all over again! Well, I am starting to feel better about being pregnant. Our house is all painted, and I only had to be around the paint for about 6 hours total. I was so freaked about it.

During my last pregnancy, and continuing on after birth during nursing, and I guess still continuing on during pregnancy and nursing (sheesh!) here is my supplemental regimen. My daughter was born totally alert. I couldn't handle taking those multi-vitamins where you have to take 4-6 a day. I found a good one that they have at Whole Foods that isn't too expensive.

Simply Nutrition, Simply One Prenatal
2 Omega-3 fish oil gel capsules
Folic Acid

Juice smoothie with:
2 Tbs. wheat germ
2 tbs. Flax oil
1 tbs. brewer's yeast

Yogurt, Granola or oat meal with:
1/2 c walnuts
1/2 c fruit


Oh gosh, I am starting to get excited.

[kewpie-o]

The midwife I plan on using for my prenatal care told me to take these even before we started ttc:
Nature's Plus "Source of Life" Prenatal Vitamins
No dyes and lotsa healthy natural stuff.

[rstump]

I take....

Juice Plus
Cod Liver Oil
HV Butter Oil
Rainbow Light B-complex
B-12
Primal Defense - probiodic
Buffalo Liver

I take most of these all the time except for the B12. I changed my B-complex to twice a day.

[Holiztic]

I have been taking Garden of Life Living Multi for women for years, but it has some herbs in it that aren't so good for pregnancy.

So I found a similar whole food/probiotic supplement called New Chapter, but it is full of soy, which I won't go near, especially while pregnant!

So I am doing GoL Living Multi (not for women specifically, so it doesn't have the herbs), adding 400 mg folic acid and adding dried liver capsules for iron.

I also take:

Cod Liver Oil
Primal Defense Probiotic
Digestive Enzymes

And eat a very nutrient-dense diet.

[wanderinggypsy]

I take no name brand prenatals, one fish oil capsule, one flax oil capsule, a calcuim supplement, greens + every other day (only about half the recommended dosage), and thats about it. My diet is pretty solid though and mostly organic.

[grneyes328]

I've been taking promise prenatals since about 3 months before we started TTC and I like them so far. My OBGYN said they're just fine, and I like that it's one small, easy to swallow pill each day.

[starbound25]

spring valley from walmart, if you compare to rainbow light and others like that it is very comparable to the other brands
for $9 for 240 (take two a day) much better choice than prescription

[CarolynnMarilynn]

Originally Posted by crunchymomof2

I am eating well and taking cod liver oil, a b complex vitamin, and some kelp because I need the iodine. Fairly soon I am going to get a mineral supplement too. I just need to figure out which brand I want to buy. Plus I am making pregnancy tea infusions for minerals and vits.

Michele

Just FYI, cod liver oil supplements are not recommended for pregnancy because of their high vit a content and/or mercury. Other fish oils are ok.

[CarolynnMarilynn]

I am just taking a folic acid and an omega 3-6-9. I eat very well though, and don't skimp on the fruits and veggies. I have seen some research that says that women who have a reasonably good diet don't benefit from multivitamins. Also, your body can't absorb the calcium and iron when they are presented in the same supplement.

[rstump]

I have seen many conflicting reports on the Vit A. From my research this is true of synthetic Vit A but not naturally occuring Vit A.

I don't believe we are meant to take anything synthetic so that is not a problem for us.

[Holiztic]

FYI

http://www.westonaprice.org/knowyour...n-a-fetal.html

Keep in mind that foods high in true vitamin A have nourished pregnant women in many cultures for thousands, hundreds of thousands of years. Eggs, organ meats, whole dairy, oily fish. These are STAPLE foods for much of the world and even for most of our ancestors.

Synthetic vitamin A, however, doesn't have such a history.

My $.02.

[CarolynnMarilynn]

I don't think you could OD on food sources of vitamin A, but when supplementing, it is quite easy. Vit A is stored in the body for a long time, and it is hard for the body to get rid of it easily if there is too much. There is also Beta Carotene which the body converts to vit a, but only if the body needs it. Carrot juice has huge amounts of vit a on the bottle, but it is really beta carotene and totally safe. But a fish liver supplement is quite high and taking one daily can lead to harmful levels accumulating.

I think it is a supplementing vs. eating vit a rich foods thing, the former can be dangerous, where the latter is healthy.