Yeast/Probiotics/ vitamins

[rivkah]

All,

Any thoughts on probiotics during pregnancy? I am very prone to get yeast infections, and in order to prevent them, I usually take a lactobacillus supplement. I am wondering if I should stop/change the dosage since I am pregnant. Right now the thought of taking a pill is overwhelming thoughgh--darned m/s and gag reflex!

Also, what are your thoughts on prenatals? The pill thing just kills me right now, and the prenatals I have been taking (RX samples from the OB) contain iron and make me terribly constipated. I am not sure if I should struggle with prenatal vitamins or just concentrate on trying to eat right. I sort of think that the average person's diet is so poor that doc's have to stress taking a vitamin supplement. But (when I am not nauseous) I eat an almost totally organic, locally grown diet of all kinds of meat, dairy products, and fresh vegetables.

Any opinions on this?

[BlissfullyLoving]

According to everything I read probiotics are definitely safe for pregnancy.

I would not take the prenatals that make you constipated. There is already a list of the one's people take on here. http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=977394

Personally I take prenatal vitamins. If you think your diet is rich enough nutrients (especially folic acid right now) then you should be fine. For me, it is good insurance. I do not always eat great, and I am not sure how much I can eat with nausea.

Good luck!

[Alohamelly]

I take probiotics through pregnancy, except when m/s gets too bad and I can't take anything. But I've been taking probiotics forever and I don't have issues with yeast anymore.

I take prenatals as long as i can stomach them. I know I'm not getting all of my nutritional needs met right now.

[ErinsJuneBug]

Probiotics are definitley fine - and its probubly BETTER to take them, then not

As for prenatals, I'm taking 800 of folic acid for another month and then will take an iron supplement for the last trimester. Thats it. I eat really well and im sure get tons of vits from all of our food being uber "enriched."

[tubulidentata2]

I think probiotics and/or fermented foods are incredibly important during pregnancy for both you and baby. In fact, I believe there are studies showing that probiotic intake during the last trimester is associated with less dermatitis and allergies in the baby. I don't usually take a prenatal vitamin, but I do make sure to include plenty of the former. I basically follow a variation of the Brewer Diet to make sure I get enough of the essential nutrients. On bad days, I take a food-based prenatal like New Chapter. The iron in it doesn't constipate me, and I even took them for a long time when I wasn't pregnant.