So tell me what are you taking and why?

[ScotiaSky]

I know another poster on our group mentioned a while back that she would like to know what kind of supplements etc others on our group are taking and why and I guess I am curious as well.


I am taking my regular no name brand pre/post natal vit which I have been taking continually since July 2003...well over a year before we even TTC.

About 4 days before I delivered our son so 41 weeks and 1 day Iran out of these Vit's and DF and I ran to the drug store to pick up some more...here you have to go over the counter by law as it has high iron content(odd law)so they ask me which brand I want and as there is a price difference between the two I ask what is the difference they start to go on about how one has more folic acid then the other and that it is needed in early pregnancy..now normally I won't have said anything but being 8 days post dates I interuupted them and said does it look like I am in early pregnancy I was due a week ago give the cheap ones!!!
They could not have missed the fact that I was as big as a house by that point :irked: so why even bother talking about early pregnancy.

I also take Flax Seed Capsules once a day as well...been thinking about taking the plunge and buying some gag fish oil as well in part due to a recent thread here at MDC.
My son takes a combo of fish oil and Evening primrose oil mixed in his apple sauce each day but i would prefer a capsule as a life long veggie fish just turns my stomach.
I should move my butt and order some RRL tea and start drinking that soon..time is a flying by.
As well two posts on another board got me thinking about Magnesium(to help ease dilation) and Alphafa(Vit K for after birth bleeding) but will look a bit more into them first.

Also was thinking around 37 weeks to start EPO orally and internally. I did it internally starting at 41 weeks last pregnancy so me thinks that was a wee too late.
I never went into labour by myself last time so I want to ease things along(like most people do)so I can avoid the whole hospital induction routinue.

So do share....

[MamaTaraX]

I take naps, that's about it ;)

I have a friend who's bringing me some RRL tea soon, bought some RL (I assume it's red??) from the store the other day. I take Flinstones vitamins, but I forget to. I was taking folic acid too but again, I forgot enough times that I quit caring. I've considered taking fish oil.

When I'm further along I plan to take absolutely nothing. It's not really my kind of thing.

Namaste, Tara
mama to Doodle (7), Butterfly (2), and Rythm (due at home 1/06)

[ozzyemm]

We are kind of "under the gun" to have this baby naturally-- we will be induced at 38 weeks. So-- I am taking RRL tea three times daily, will add estrogen ( I can't remember why, but it sounded good at the time). EPO sounds good, too, I will have to check that out. Also, we will be doing the "conventional" things to induce labor naturally (starting November 7-- 8 months)-- walking, nipple stimulation, and lots of sex :D.

I am not taking any prenatals at all-- I stopped once this baby hit 10 weeks. I had been taking them for nearly a year prior to his conception.

Emily

[MamaTaraX]

May I ask: why the induction at 38 weeks?I remember you mentioning it before but I forget why.

Namaste, Tara
mama to Doodle (7), Butterfly (2), and Rythm (due at home 1/06)

[Nature]

I take one of my daughters flavored vitamins if I remember. I never was one to take prenatals. I try, but they really cause me discomfort. So now I just take the script, say thank you.. and put it in the junk pile at home. :LOL

I take fish oil capsules because my chiro said it would help with my SI pain I'm having. I try to remember to take them.

I have Red Rasberry leaf, and I make it into a tea to drink whenever I feel like it. I am not religious about taking it X amount of times a day though.

Overall, I just try to eat healthy and get as much excercise as my poor joints will let me. :( The only other thing I take is a Vitamin C to help keep me well, and my Synthroid medication for hypothyroidism.

[jayayenay]

.

[ozzyemm]

Tara-- I will be having induction at 38 weeks due to Gestational Diabetes diagnosed at 9 weeks. I have been trying to prepare for an unassisted childbirth if everything goes smoothly, and an induction/ or transfer if I need help, or if this baby doesn't come before Dec. 15.

Because of my early diagnosis, I have been a little concerned that I could have had borderline diabetes and they didn't catch it. (I had a fasting glucose test in February, and I got pregnant in April, tested positive in June, with symptoms of high blood sugar from the first couple of weeks of pregnancy).

[anarchamama]

I take a regular prenatal which I have been taking since 2002 when I got pregnant with ds and kept taking because of nursing. I also take flax occasionally and hemp protein powder sometimes. I try to drink rrl tea, but am having trouble drinking as much this time as I did with ds. But I probably drink it a few times a week, trying to drink more as I get closer. I will probably start taking EPO around 38-9 weeks, I don't want to rush it but ds was like 12 days late, so I wouldn't mind a few less days! I also took blue and black cohosh when a week late with ds, after much debate, and it didn't do a damn thing!

LOL
Heather

[AAK]

I am glad you posted this--I kept meaning too, but. . .

I am not good at taking any of this, but when I remember I take a basic prenatal vitamin, some fish oil capsules, and alfalfa tablets. The fish oil capsules are because of an article in midwifery today (although I am not taking nearly as much as the author recommended) and the alfalfa has various benefits, but the current one that I am using it for is to keep my bowels moving. I have lots of vulvar varicosities and my midwife warned that if I strained during bm that I would likly get them there too (aka hemmoroids).

The tea, the tea. . . my midwife has a lovely pg tea loose leaf blend that she sells in her family's store. Includes RRL among many other things. I bought a bunch and man I can't get over the taste. I have vowed though to take it daily during the third trimester at least. Maybe I will like it by then.

Oh, around 37 weeks or so I will drop the fish oil and take evening primrose. This was suggested by my mw and agrees with the article in midwifery today.

Amy

[Wugmama]

I take my prenatals when I remember AND feel up to it. I recently got a fresh bottle of flax oil and a big jar of rice protein powder. I try to have a banana smoothie every morning with the flax and protein powder, along with rice milk and honey. The flax oil is for the omega fats and the protein is to try to help me feel well - I still tend to feel a little queazy, even at 24 weeks.

[k mama]

I take Equate prenatal vits. (the kind from Wal-Mart). I also drink RRL tea (not as bad as I thought it would be :) ), didn't take with my first though, hope it works.

[k mama]

Oh, and out of curiosity, what is EPO?

[Willowrose]

I have just started Vita-Lea per my midwifes suggestion. They suggest this for all their clinets. It is a vitamin that includes an Iron fomula. They have found it helps tremendously with birth and afterwards. At 30 weeks or so, I will begin Red Raspbery leaf tea.

[Persephone]

In a perfect world, I'd be drinking a quart of nettle infusion or raspberry leaf a day. Midwife wanted me to add liquid chlorophyll to that, which is fine by me, I guess. In reality, I'm lucky if I get a quart a week. Mostly because I'm really not in the habit of it. I plan on continuing the infusions after the baby comes, and for the rest of my life.

[ozzyemm]

EPO-- evening primose oil. it is available in caplets and can be ingested or inserted vaginally (You may have to break open the capsule first, I don't know).

[ScotiaSky]

EPO-- evening primose oil. it is available in caplets and can be ingested or inserted vaginally (You may have to break open the capsule first, I don't know).

Internally I pierced the capsules with a needle...

[k mama]

Thank you. What are the benefits of taking it? Do any of you know of any good web sites that I could check it out on? Thanks.

[beachcomber]

I'm just taking folic acid. I can't keep my prenatal down so haven't bothered with it.

I'm curious about fish oil and red raspberry leaf tea and nettle infusion (?). Why are the last two so good for you? I understand the Omega fatty acids connection with fish oil but am not sure how much is safe to take in pregnancy. And I'm leery about any fish products because of possible mercury contamination.

[Talula Fairie]

I can't keep prenatals down, at all! I'm on Reglan (and sometimes Phenegran) for severe nausea/vomiting and I keep forgetting to buy Flinstones vitamins (my doctor says to try those, I'm doubtful they won't make me sick though). Last time I didn't take prentals, either, same problem. I've tried every brand imaganeable, even food based vitamins from Trader Joes without iron come right back up. Even B 6 supplements make me nasious (I didn't even know that was possible!). I try to eat lots of fruits and veggies and whole grains to make up for it, though.

I do drink Pregnancy tea which contains Red Rasberry leaf, and plan on taking EPO and Red Rasberry Leaf capsules at about 37 weeks.

[sarahlynne]

I'm curious about fish oil and red raspberry leaf tea and nettle infusion (?). Why are the last two so good for you?

Red Raspberry and nettle are both good for their nutritional properties and great for toning the uterus - getting it ready for the big workout of labor. RR is high in iron and has astringent properties, so it is also supposed to help prevent heorrhage. Nettle also promotes healthy kidney function and strengthens blood vessels, so also helps prevent hemorrhage at birth. The Natural Pregnancy Book by Aviva Jill Romm is a great source of info on natural pregnancy choices. Hope that Helps.

[Camellia]

I'm taking regular prentatals, folic acid and vit B-6. Th B-6 is for my Reyanud's syndrome. With the weather change it has my nips aching bad. And when I have 2 nurslings I know the b_6 already being built up in my system will be very important.

My MW wants me to take Chromium, dandelion and or yellow dock, plus the pregnancy tea with RRL and nettles in it. I have made the pregnancy tea once :( I should go make some right now. She also wants me to eat lentils. I'll probably make a crock pot of lentil soup next week.

[Persephone]

Red raspberry leaf is high in calcuim (and other wonderful minerals), and it also strengthens the uterus. It always helps me with my menstrual cramps, and I think it's because of the calcium content. My midwife was telling me that it can also dull the pain of labor some-- not completely, but just take the edge off... I'm eager to try!

Nettles are high in vit K, among other good things. I'm using nettles the way most people use a prenatal. Just a way of making sure I'm getting extra good things in my diet.

Here's a website that shows what things are in various herbs, and in what amounts: http://medherb.com/Materia_Medica/The_Mineral_Content_of_Herbal_Decoctions_.htm

[bluelightblues]

I take my regular allergy med, Zyrtec, plus 800 mg of folic acid a day, that's been what I've been taking right along. Tried the prenatals early on but i can't stand the iron.

My homebirth midwife recommended calcium citrate 1500mg a day to relax my muscles and avoid cramping. I have been getting leg cramps and my good friend has been havng lots of belly ligament pain. It's a lot of pills though, each is only 200 mg. Well, i'll be through the bottle pretty soon at this rate, so i can look for some smaller ones. She specifically directed me to CA citrate b/c its more absorbable. Also b-complex for nervousness/depression avoidance, i take one or two depending on how gaggy i feel since those stink.

And caffeine, nice brewed tea from my cousins in ireland. it's so dark though i have to add milk and honey or sugar though and that's never helped my weight. Oh well, it's october now and we need the warmth here in ohio. anyone else heard of Ca for this purpose?
cheers,