What prenatal are you taking?

[ma_Donna]

Upon recommendation from my naturopath (who had her 2nd baby girl in July) I started taking prenatals again in August.

Genestra Brands
Maxum Matragen
2 capsules, 2x/day

She said the gel caps do a better job at making the nutrients digestible, plus it spreads it out more evenly. I got tired of the multiple caps per day when TTC Noah, but it took us a year and a half to get pg, no wonder I got sick of it!!

[luckymama]

rainbow light just once (one tablet, once a day)
food- & plant- based, plus some extra food & herbal stuff

they were the only ones i could find that stayed down when i was pg with my son. the theory is the rrl & ginger help with any nausea & other digestive issues associated with taking prenatals. since i was nursing and then ttc, i kept taking them, so i've been on them for years now.

[Still_Snarky]

Right now I'm just taking the generic RiteAid brand until I see my (yet to be determined) midwife. :thumb

[fenwickmama]

i have some fancy expensive prescription ones leftover from going to the RE-i'll use them up and then i have rainbow lights that i'll switch over to.

[HaveWool~Will Felt]

rainbow light just once (one tablet, once a day)
food- & plant- based, plus some extra food & herbal stuff

i've been on them for years now.


Me too!!!!

www.iherb.com

They will give you free ship over $40 and additional % off sometimes...
Worth checking out!!!

BTW: My kids take their kids vits and dh takes the Just Once Men's Vit, as well.

[paisley]

She said the gel caps do a better job at making the nutrients digestible, plus it spreads it out more evenly.

My ND said the same thing about gel caps vs. tablets, so she switched me to Maternal Symmetry by Vitanica (http://vitanica.com/supplements_10.htm). (I was taking the Rainbow Light 1x day.) It's a combo of vits, minerals and herbs, similar to RL. So far I've been fine with keeping them down but I do have trouble remembering to take them all sometimes. They are the 2 caps 3x day style.

[luckymama]

Me too!!!!

www.iherb.com

They will give you free ship over $40 and additional % off sometimes...
Worth checking out!!!
awesome! thanx, mama! :love

[HaveWool~Will Felt]

Sue,
Anytime!!!

:thumb

[momsmyjob]

I love Rainbow lite...I took them with my last 2 pregnancies and love them :D

[Yin Yang]

How much is the Maternal Symmetry? And where can you buy it?

I will be taking New Chapter prenatals. I get great deal on www.vitacost.com and it's all organic.
But I am open to new ideas!

For those buying Rainbow light: Rainbow Light Complete Prenatal System -- 180 Tabs (http://www.vitacost.com/RainbowLightCompletePrenatalSystem/searchby-PN/searchtext-prenatal)
Rainbow Light Complete Prenatal System -- 360 Tabs (http://www.vitacost.com/RainbowLightCompletePrenatalSystem-360Tabs/searchby-PN/searchtext-prenatal)

[lotus.blossom]

I take the Rainbow Lights one pill. I was taking the 6/day ones when TTC and I just got fed up! Plus it was cheaper to buy the 1/day pills!

I also take fish oil, acidophilus, and vitamic c daily.

[Maxine45]

I've read a lot about Rainbow Light and they tend to be about half as spendy as the ones I take, but SuperNutrition's PreNatal Blend (http://www.supernutritionusa.com/prenatal.blend.html) has calcium in it, so I go with that.

If anyone sees anything creepy in the ingredients list, please let me know!

I was taking prescription prenatals about a year ago when I first started TTC, but my chiropractor explained that those are essentially worthless. I guess I could have known that something from the pharmaceutical industry might not be the best choice ;)

[luckymama]

I take the Rainbow Lights one pill. ...
I also take fish oil, acidophilus, and vitamic c daily.
lotus.blossom - we take exactly the same stuff each day (tho i just added cal-mag, too). :D

[lotus.blossom]

Oh, luckymama! I take cal-mag too on occasion (helped me get through a rough sleeping/night terrors patch)! I had dropped it thinking that there would be enough calcium in my prenatals. Do you think I should continue? Of course I'll ask my midwife in a couple of weeks. :wink

[Yin Yang]

My midwife told me that prenatals that have calcium from calcium carbonate is very cheap and the body does not use it, or very little of it. Calcium citrate is better she said.
Most of the cheaper brand have calcium carbonate.

[luckymama]

Oh, luckymama! I take cal-mag too on occasion (helped me get through a rough sleeping/night terrors patch)! I had dropped it thinking that there would be enough calcium in my prenatals. Do you think I should continue? Of course I'll ask my midwife in a couple of weeks. :wink
when i'm pg, i get leg cramps, backache and restless legs fairly regularly at night. i upped my cal-mag in the hopes of combatting that, and so far so good!

i don't think the calcium in those prenatals is nearly sufficient (only 200 mg!), and i'm not really stomaching as many calcium foods right now as i usually would (my couple of yogurts a day - right out of the question according to my queasy meter).

[PancakeGoddess]

my sister's midwife told me the same thing about calcium citrate, so I'm taking that. So far I'm just on a generic prenatal with that, although I keep forgetting.

Of all these vitamins you mamas have suggested, are any of them really affordable, iykwim? I'll check out some of the links.

[momsmyjob]

my sister's midwife told me the same thing about calcium citrate, so I'm taking that. So far I'm just on a generic prenatal with that, although I keep forgetting.

Of all these vitamins you mamas have suggested, are any of them really affordable, iykwim? I'll check out some of the links.


You can check the Rainbow light site and see if they are sold anywhere in your area. I get mine locally and I get 190 pills for 32.99

[SoCalGirl]

I am taking the Safeway brand prenatals. They are one pill, once a day. I saw lots of pills that required multiple pills a day, but seriously, I just don't have the patience for that. I'll take one pill a day (or one dose of two pills, perhaps), but that's it.

[Yin Yang]

You can check the Rainbow light site and see if they are sold anywhere in your area. I get mine locally and I get 190 pills for 32.99
the website I posted above has them for $18! They have flat shipping fee no matter how much you order it's $5.

[ktlady]

I just take a generic brand too.

[paisley]

How much is the Maternal Symmetry? And where can you buy it?


This site (https://ssl.familypharmacy.net/vitanica.htm) has them at $32 for a one month supply with free shipping. I am pretty sure that's the full retail price (it's what my Dr. charges me), so if you happen to see it for any cheaper please do tell! :)

ETA - that site lists them alphabetically so the Maternal Symmetry is at the top of page 2.

[momsmyjob]

the website I posted above has them for $18! They have flat shipping fee no matter how much you order it's $5.


That's cool! What's the difference between the Complete and the Just once? anyone know?

[Kansai Mama]

Here in Japan, believe it or not, most women do not take pre-natals. I think the belief is that high doses of vitamins are not easily absorbed by the body.

Currently I'm taking folic acid, calcium and iron in separate pills. I try to take the calcium at a different time of day than the iron.

[Maxine45]

It was explained to me by the people working in the health food store that the reason you have to take more than one, is because the calcium molecule is very long. . . and if they were to get a daily dose of calcium in one pill it would be HUGE. That's why it requires taking 4 or 6 per day.
I don't drink cow milk or eat lots of dark leafy vegetables or sardines or whatever, so for me it's bearable to get the calcium my baby requires by taking 4 pills a day.

[Yin Yang]

That's cool! What's the difference between the Complete and the Just once? anyone know?

I was wondering about the same thing yesterday and when I was at whole foods I looked at both and compared the amoun of ingredients in each of them. The one pill a day does not look that good to me. There is much less of everything. Well, no surprise, there is only so much you can squeeze into one small pill. So I definetly prefer the Complete one.





This is the Complete one:


Supplement Facts
Serving Size: Six Tablets
Servings per container: 30

Amount Per Serving % Daily Value

Vitamin A (50% Beta-Carotene 50% Palmitate) 5,000 IU 62%

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) 250 mg 417%

Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) 400 IU 100%

Vitamin E (d-alpha Tocopheryl Succinate) 200 IU 667%

Thiamine (Vitamin B-1) 30 mg 1765%

Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2) 35 mg 1750%

Niacin (Vitamin B-3) 40 mg 200%

Pyridoxine (Vitamin B-6) 20 mg 800%

Folic Acid 800 mcg 100%

Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B-12) 60 mcg 750%

Biotin 600 mcg 200%

Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B-5) 60 mg 600%

Calcium (Carbonate, Amino Acid Chelate) 1000 mg 77%

Iron (Amino Acid Chelate) 30 mg 167%

Iodine (from Kelp) 150 mcg 100%

Magnesium (Oxide, Ascorbate) 500 mg 111%

Zinc (Amino Acid Chelate) 15 mg 100%

Copper (Amino Acid Chelate) 1.5 mg 75%

Plant Source Enzymes

Protease 360 HUT *

Amylase 282 DU *

Lipase 3 LU *

Cellulase 3 CU *

Other Dietary Ingredients

Vitamin K (phytonadione) 100 mcg *

Selenium (Selenomethionine) 200 mcg *

Manganese (Amino Acid Chelate) 6 mg *

Chromium (Amino Nicotinate) 200 mcg

Molybdenum (Amino Acid Chelate) 50 mcg *

Potassium (Citrate) 50 mg *

Lemon Bioflavonoids 80 mg *

Rutin 10 mg *

Choline (Bitartrate) 30 mg *

Inositol 20 mg *

PABA (para-Aminobenzoic Acid) 10 mg *

Lactobacillus sporogenes 3,000,000 cells *

Betaine HCI 60 mg *

Superfood Ingredients

Spirulina 900 mg *

Wheat Grass 300 mg *

Barley Grass 300 mg *

Alfalfa (leaf Juice Concentrate) 60 mg *

Octacosanol (from Spinach) 100 mcg *

4:1 Herbal Extracts

Red Raspberry (leaf) (equivalent to 160 mg of herbal powder) 40 mg *

Chamomile (flower) (equivalent to 100mg of herbal powder) 25 mg *

10:1 Herbal Extract

Ginger (root) Fresh Juice (equivalent to 240mg of herbal powder) 24 mg *

*Daily value not established.



Other ingredients: (all natural mineral and plant-based): stearic acid (vegetable), silica, cellulose, modified starch, magnesium stearate. Coating: vegetable food glaze.


And this is the Just one:

Supplement Facts
Serving Size:
Servings Per Container:

Amount per Serving % Daily Value


Vitamin A as Palmitate 3,500 IU, Beta-Carotene 2,500 IU 6,000 IU 75%

Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid 100 mg 167%

Vitamin D Cholecalciferol 400 IU 100%

Vitamin E d-alpha Tocopheryl Succinate 100 IU 333%

Vitamin K Phytonadione 65 mcg

Thiamin (B1) 10 mg 588%

Riboflavin (B2) 10 mg 500%

Niacin (B3) 20 mg 100%

Vitamin B6 Pyridoxine 15 mg 600%

Folate,Folic Acid,Folacin 800 mcg 100%

Vitamin B12 Cyanocobalamin 25 mcg 313%

Biotin 300 mcg 100%

Pantothenic acid Vitamin B-5 15 mg 150%

Calcium Carbonate, Citrate-Malate 200 mg 15%

Iron Amino Acid Chelate 30 mg 167%

Iodine from Kelp 150 mcg 100%

Magnesium Oxide 100 mg 22%

Zinc Citrate 15 mg 100%

Selenium Selenomethionine 100 mcg

Copper Amino Acid Chelate 2 mg 100%

Manganese Citrate 2 mg

Chromium Amino Nicotinate 120 mcg

Molybdenum Amino Acid Chelate 75 mcg

Potassium Citrate 10 mg

Boron Glycinate 1 mg


Choline Bitartrate 10 mg*

Inositol 10 mg*

PAGA (para-Aminobenzoic Acid) 10 mg*

Plant-Source Enzymes

Protease 660 HUT*

Amylase 226 DU*

Lipase 2 LU*

Cellulase 3 CU*

Food and Herbal Ingredients

Spirulina 20 mg*

Ginger (rhizome) Fresh Juice 10:1 Extract equivalent to 20 mg of herbal powder 20 mg*

Red Raspberry *(leaf) 2:1 Extract equivalent to 100 mg of herbal powder 50 mg*

* Daily Value not established.

[luckymama]

I was wondering about the same thing yesterday and when I was at whole foods I looked at both and compared the amoun of ingredients in each of them. The one pill a day does not look that good to me. There is much less of everything.
i think it depends on your diet. for me, i'm not looking to get 100% of everything i need from pills. i use vitamins & other supplements either regularly or on occassion to compensate for areas where i am lacking in diet. the one pill a day is sufficient for me, and in some areas, more than sufficient. i feel that more is not necessarily better, and i wouldn't want to be in a position where i was getting too much of something, either, which can also have drawbacks.

[beautyful]

I take a generic drug store brand too.

I did prescription ones with my daughter, and while I liked the wild berry flavour, I like that these are smaller even better!

[momsmyjob]

Thanks for the info Pavlina..I was taking the 6 daily with my last pregnancy but after 1 bottle I couldn't remember to take 6 a day. I might switch on the next one though, just to see if I feel any difference in the way I feel.

[carouselrider]

I have just been taking a generic one a day. Once the test came back positive, my husband ran out and bought me Trader Joe's brand prenates, which smell and taste incredibly awful, so despite the sweet gesture, I'm switching immediately LOL. I think I'll look for the RL one-a-day.

[ksjhwkr]

So, here is my question about the Rainbow Light...does anyone take the complete, but not all 6?? I would totally forget to take all 6 pills everyday (pregger brain!). Right now I am taking the cheap Sam's Club vitamins. They are the ones my Mom bought me when I was pg with ds.
My midwife said that she likes the Rainbow Light prenatals and that they look pretty good...I just won't take 6 a day. I like that the complete has ginger in it though...hopefully that would help with the morning sickness. Any thoughts?

[luckymama]

So, here is my question about the Rainbow Light...does anyone take the complete, but not all 6??
one of the reasons i stopped taking the complete and switched to just once is that having to take six tablets/day wasn't sitting well with me - no matter how far apart i took them. there is ginger in the just once as well.

[Yin Yang]

So, here is my question about the Rainbow Light...does anyone take the complete, but not all 6?? I would totally forget to take all 6 pills everyday (pregger brain!). Right now I am taking the cheap Sam's Club vitamins. They are the ones my Mom bought me when I was pg with ds.
My midwife said that she likes the Rainbow Light prenatals and that they look pretty good...I just won't take 6 a day. I like that the complete has ginger in it though...hopefully that would help with the morning sickness. Any thoughts?

I just ordered 2 packs of 360 pills. one for me and of rmy PG friend and I can tell you right now that I will not be taking 6 a day. I don't think it's necessarry with a good diet, plus I will be taking calcium suplements as well and extra vit. C. I don't like the one a day because I just don't think it's as good when they trying to put everything into one pill. I think I'll be taking about 4 a day, that way the 360 pills will last me 3 months. That's pretty good deal for $29! :bouncy

[PrettyBird]

I take Rainbow Light Complete Prenatal System and Fish Oil capsules.

[midwestmom]

Another Rainbow Light once a dayer here!

[carouselrider]

I am now taking the RL once a day. But they smell and taste just as bad as the first ones I got!

With my first pregnancy, I took a natural food store brand that was 4 a day, and I had a hard time remember to take those (at breakfast and dinner), so I know I won't be able to get six a day in me. I think I have a good diet though - lots of veggies and fruits as a base, I'm taking the prenate mostly for the iron since I don't eat as much iron-rich food as I could.

[homemademomma]

i take new chapter prenatals (4 a day), as well as cal/mag and efa. i rarely take all of my vits every day, except the efa. for some reason im really good about taking the efa. i agree with a pp that said that she's not looking to get all her nutrients from a pill, so it doesnt matter if it has 100% of everything. my diet tend to vascillate between really good (kale and sprouted grains, tempeh, organic eggs etc) to super crappy (like when i am exhausted after a birth-take out food), so i feel better with prenatals to fill in the gaps.

[SoCalGirl]

Here in Japan, believe it or not, most women do not take pre-natals. I think the belief is that high doses of vitamins are not easily absorbed by the body.


I have heard this too...the very high doses of some things can be harmful at worst, and cause extra work for your kidneys (having to remove the excess) at the least. That's one reason that I didn't want a supplement that had more than 100% of the recommended daily intake of any particular vitamin.

I think of my prenatals as just a supplement, so I don't need (or expect) it to have even 100% of everything I need every day. You don't even need prenatal vitamins if you eat a balanced, healthy diet. They're just basically "insurance." I hope I get most of what I need from food, but the prenatals help me make certain I'm not getting too little of the most important things, like folic acid.

[Yin Yang]

I was not taking any prenatals with my DS. Just brewerrs yeast - which is very rich in vit. B's, but it was a big mistake because I have the worst candida (I did not know that back then ofcourse).