Prenatal Vitamins Advice?

[Gilewhicas]

Can anyone give me a recommendation for or against any particular prenatal vitamins? i'm just hesitant due to the more than 200% DRV of some things and wonder if maybe you can have too much of a good thing...?

[outdoorlove]

The only advice I can give on prenatals is that you should find them in wholefood stores because its best not to take any with artificial coloring or additives. Stay away from anything "fake" that is added and unnessary.

[alegna]

I use rainbow light and have been very happy with them.

-Angela

[mamimapster]

Trader Joe's house label Prenatals are made by rainbow light :)

[amis2girls]

Nature's Plus :)

[Nora'sMama]

Trader Joe's house label Prenatals are made by rainbow light :)

Ooh good to know! :thumb I love TJ's supplements. I take their probiotics and used to take their fish oil.

[ashtree]

I like New Chapter Organics Prenatal Vitamin. I think my body absorbed them better than any other kind I've tried.

[Arwyn]

The DVs are very low, conservative estimates of the absolute minimum required to avoid gross malnutrition, for the most part. There are some vitamins that it's best to avoid megadosing on (like vitA - beta carotene is safe, though), and it's possible to get too much of almost anything, but any good, brand name, health food store prenatal will be just fine, and waaaaay better than something like Centrum or Flintstones.

I'm actually currently on both Rainbow Light 6/day and New Chapter's - half a dose of each, RL in the morning, NC in the evening. Splits the difference! (Honestly, I just can't afford to go NC entirely!)

[angelika13]

I work for New Chapter Organics, and take the prenatal. I believe they are the best out there for the simple reason that they are the only prenatal out there that is 100% food, and organic food at that. Most all other vitamins are synthetic forms of nutrients and your body doens't quite know what to do with them. JMO, but been in the vitamin business for 15 years. :)

[ommmama]

I wondered what you all think about vitamins for postpartum. I took prenatals for 3 years (!) after my son's birth on our ND's recommendation for a nursing mom. I don't know if that's overkill or if our needs are as great--or even more--postpartum as in pregnancy. This time I am using prenatal forte from integrative therapeutics and mother's choice from source naturals and have a 3 week old newborn.

[Arwyn]

I'd continue to use prenatals as long as lactating, or there's the potential for conceiving again. Basically I'll probably be on some form of prenatal multivit until after both DP gets the snip and our last has weaned.

[mamallama]

bumping this up for a friend

[starlightsound]

Thanks, Mamallama!

[momto l&a]

I like the Rainbow light 6 a day

[kahbo]

I am reading all this info on prenatal..I have been kinda taking what I was prescribed by my dr. but have not completly felt great about it...I am looking online about rainbow light...you have to take 6 a day??? Is there anything that is priced affordable that I can either mix with or take one of??? The rainbow light sounds good..and I can get it where I live..but 6 a day??? I need to keep the cost down a little....any advice??? Thanks mamas ps...what about anything from gnc??

[Bella Babe]

All the prenatals I took during my last pregnancies made me sick, and now I am reading this info about most prenatals being a money marketing crock, and I am confused. I definitely know I need more of some supplements, but, being fairly knowledgable on vit,'s and herbs I was going to just get singles of the stuff I need.

Maybe I will try New Chapter Org, or Rainbow Light though if they both get such rave reviews. Is NC something I can get in the health food store? Or is it a MLM type supplement?

Thanks!

[kahbo]

Bella Babe...I was looking up all these prenatal's online...Rainbow light seems to be really affordable...plus they have a search to see where the nearest store that you can get them at...Earth Fare carries them...I am still searching and trying to figure out what I should try..there is a rainbow light 1 and 6..I would rather take one than six pills a day..let me know what you find out.

[liawbh]

I've taken the Rainbow light One with both pregnancies, and it's good. I did find that I absolutely had to take it with food. Even now that I'm not preg., it can make me queasy on an empty stomach. But it digests waay better than the Rx prenatals, and as long as I had a glass of milk or toast, or a piece of fruit, it was fine, even when I had morning sickness. Also, it never made me constipated, like the other brands.

Oh, and RL makes a powder, too.

[Arwyn]

The RL6 recommends 2 pills 3 times a day, but I take 3 pills two times - not as well absorbed then, but there's just NO WAY I'll remember to take pills 3 times/day, y'know?

I don't think prenatals are absolutely essential, and I do like the quote that says something like all the money we spend on vitamins just buys Americans the most expensive urine in the world, but as long as it's not something that's prohibitively expensive, damaging, dangerous, or difficult, then I figure why not.

[dorianboy]

I took RL one a day during my 1st pg and this time I'm taking one that I swear was recommended by Peggy O'Mara, although I don't remember where I found that info, other than somewhere on the Mothering website. It's by DaVinci Labs, called Ultimate Prenatal. It's $24/btl and you take 5 a day. (one btl = 1 month) I haven't had any problems w/ them as far as absorption/digestion issues.
http://www.davincilabs.com/vitamins_supplements/ultimate-prenatal-multivitamins.php

[Momma2DoubleCuties]

I take New Chapter as well, have even when I'm not pregnant they just make me feel so much better.

[veganjoy]

Super Nutrition makes a "Simply One Prenatal" that contains organic greenfoods, is low in vitamin A (11% of DV), and high in folic acid. They're completely vegetarian, and lovely because you only need 1 per day! I've been able to take them throughout my pregnancy with no increase in sickness, and no constipation. Highly recommend them.

[robina_josephine]

veganjoy, are those large? i'm having a heck of a time swallowing large pills thes e days!

[veganjoy]

Robina, they are about 1" long, but could easily be chunked, as they're whole pills (not filled capsules). I've found the best way to take them is with a bite of food, rather than with a swig of liquid.

[To-Fu]

I take Freeda's Prenatal 1-A-Day. It's free of gluten, lactose, artificial color, artificial flavor, animal derivatives, sugar, starch, gelatin, and yeast. It has no smell whatsoever and is a reasonable size. Plus, I only have to take one per day!

If you want to see what's in it, you can click here:

http://www.koshervitamins.com/shop/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?showpage=1&page_id=23&Item_ID=403

[fandance]

I think I took New Chapter the last time. They were good, I don't remember the kind the midwife recommended to me, they were very expensive though.

DF read something about synergy-co.com vitamins that he says these are the best vitamins for me, he's really knowledgeable about nutrition and supplements so I trust that he knows. They are not prenatal vitamins, but they have everything prenatal vitamins need in them so I don't think it really matters. They are made out of whole foods, and organic, and vegan and has nothing artificial in it. However they are expensive, I'd like to get some at some point, but I see myself taking vitamins for a long time anyway so I'm in no rush. A breastfeeding woman needs more nutrients than a pregnant woman so I don't see any reason to stop taking prenatal vitamins if you'd like.

[jerawo]

I'm taking New Chapter Organics this pregnancy, and have found them to be so much easier on my body than Rainbow Light. No green pee either! They are very pricey if you buy them from a walk-in store, but I've found them for 50% off at various online stores through Google Product Search.

[jazzybaby9]

New Chapter Organics here! :wink They go down easy and don't upset my stomach like the others did!

[pinkorchid2]

I have a really hard time swallowing pills, so I'm taking a liquid prenatal. The green color is a little off-putting, but honestly it doesn't taste bad. I just started taking it today so I don't have a lot of experience with it, but wanted to share in case anyone else has problems swallowing pills like I do.

http://www.sourceoflife.com/products/product_details.asp?productNumber=30841&criteria=keywordSearchResults&category=15

[SheBear]

Can anyone give me links, please? I'd like to research Rainbow Light and New Chapter.

I have trouble believing that a one-a-day could be worthwhile, but I suppose that it would be better than the *nothing* I have been taking, hmm? :bag:

In the past, I have used Prenatal Forte, which my MW likes and recommends, but it's 5-6 per day, and they are big and smelly. Very hard to choke down, and even harder when you realize you gotta do it again in a few hours!

I'm eating well, and I'm not really worried about the baby, but I am so exhausted all the time (and my iron levels are good), so I could really use a boost.

[emo1221]

I found that when comparing labels, the average prenatal has everything a children's chewable has in it, and more often than not, the children's vitamins have higher DV%, plus, they taste better. My OB agreed, and i've been eating flinstones chewables with no complaints.

[raspberry.swirl]

Trader Joe's house label Prenatals are made by rainbow light :)

When I was in the stage of preparing my body for TTC time, I ordered the Rainbow Light from drugstore.com, the cost about $20. I decided that was a little steep and picked up the Trader Joe's brand, which is identical in content. It was almost 1/2 the price at $11.99. I am almost done with the rainbow light's and expect a smooth transition to the Trader Joe's. I am not officially pregnant but I POAS on a stick tomorrow morning at about 26 DPO to confirm. Eeee! :wink

[frogautumn]

I took New Chapter while I was pregnant and still do now that I'm nursing. Love 'em, love 'em, love 'em!

Raspberry Swirl--good luck w/POAS and I love your screen name! Yay, Tori!

[JosephsMum]

I have a quick quesiton about New Chapter. Seems good, but what about all the soy and yeast?

[kemaji]

I'm glad I found this thread! I've been taking a folate supplement while I was TTA. Now that I'm TTC, I figured I should probably take something more comprehensive and I wasn't sure if I should take prescription prenatals.

[ZoeyZoo]

I use rainbow light and have been very happy with them.

-Angela

I use rainbow light too. I usually can't take multi-vitamins because I'm really sensitive to the iron in them. No problems with rainbow light. I buy the larger 2 month supply for about $25/bottle.

I don't know what area you like in, but there is a health food store owned by wild oats called Henrys. They have all supplements 25% off until 1/16. I don't know whether Wild Oats is having the same promotion but it would be worth looking into.

[amandamac]

Hello,

My vote is on New Chapter, easy to swallow small whole food organic cultured vitamins (3/day). Can be pricey, I buy them on sale or shop online, luckyvitamins.com

Also, a big fan of Floradix liquid iron, I can feel the difference when I take it, and my iron levels are excellent.

Lastly, Mammas, please consider/research taking an omega fatty acid supplement. I take cod liver oil and DHA. You could eat fish or take flax oil, depending on your dietary wishes.

~amanda&babymac

[mousebandit]

Hi there! I'm new here, and also looking for a good prenatal. I think my nutritional intake is very good, but I feel better with some "backup", LOL!

I would be thrilled to find a whole-food, organic prenatal, but I DO NOT want iron in them. I don't need it, and I loathe what it does to my bowels! At this point, I am mixing and matching vitamins to get what I think I would want in a prenatal, just to avoid the dumb iron. (And, I might add, I'm getting pretty sick of 12-14 pills per day!!)

SO - any recommendations would be VERY gratefully received!!

THANK YOU!

Mouse Bandit

[dollyanna]

Rainbow Light does have a 1-a-day; I think it cost me about $30 for the 150-pill bottle at Whole Foods. Can't wait to start taking them. I made the mistake of buying the Whole Foods brand vitamins without reading the dosage instructions and they are 3 big nasty pills/day.

[always hope]

Just a comment from down under. I take Elevit - which is a one a day and has the full 800mcg of folic acid. It has more than the DV for some important minerals and vitamins but not in the ones which can be dangerous. I think it is important to remember some people lose a lot of nutrition due to morning sickness so a prenatal is insurance against that. Even though there is more iron than I currently need in it, so far it hasn't impacted on my digestion so I am sticking with it. I couldn't manage more than one pill per day while pregnant.

[OrchideZ]

Hello,

My vote is on New Chapter, easy to swallow small whole food organic cultured vitamins (3/day). Can be pricey, I buy them on sale or shop online, luckyvitamins.com
<snip>

I also love New Chapter Organics- take them 3x a day- can take on an empty stomach and to me, the fact that I am nearly at 7 1/2 wks and haven't yet thrown up *knock on wood* is in part a testament to NC.
It is whole food based and has ingredients in it also suited for settling your stomach like ginger. Very gentle and the vitamins are smaller not horse pills.
Been taking Jarrow's Super Max DHA essential fatty acid caps with that (for fish oil) plus a calcium/magnesium tablet by Now both 2x a day.
I really do recommend NC:treehugger:

[arpetree1]

I am glad I found this thread!
I have something from Whole Foods(cannot remember the name and too lazy to go look..:) )and they are making me deathly ill...:(

[so_blessed]

My fav is New Chapter's Perfect Prenatal.

[freyja23]

Yes, they are expensive, but New Chapter make me feel so great I've been taking them continuously since my daughter was born (now I'm pregnant again!). Great for hair, skin and nails as well.

[Rachelsmom]

I am taking Super Mom vitamins, RRL vcaps, cod liver oil, chromium, calcium, garlic, acidolphilus, and cranberry. I take all of those 2x a day. I am very pleased with them. I used Prenatal Forte with last pregnancy and they were very good but I had to take 6 of those a day plus the extra things I was taking.

[rhubarbarin]

New Chapter looks great except for the soy - I'm allergic. They slip soy into everything nowadays..

Any prenatals that are gluten, dairy, AND soy free?

[Bella Babe]

Actually I am interested in the gluten free as well, my sister is now preggers. :wink

[starflower1]

I agree that new chapter is great!

[starzz]

I have been using NOW Prenatal Vitamins and love them. They have all the calcium and magnesium you need in a day plus all the other vitamins and minerals you need. I found most of the other prenatals I looked at didn't have enough calcium and magnesium. They also contain a non-constipating form of iron. It truly doesn't constipate me and that has been great. They also are priced competitively. They come in capsules and so they are very absorbable. I could tolerate them also when I had morning sickness. The directions say to take 2 in the am and 2 in the pm. It hasn't been hard for me to manage at all compared to the other choice of trying to choke down several calcium and magnesium tablets plus prenatals.

I love them. You can find them at Luckyvitamin as well as through a lot of other online vitamin stores.

[girlfromthefuture]

I use Prenatal/Lactating from Puritan's Pride (prod number 8989). I've been taking them for almost 8 years now and really like them. They're also an awesome value. If you go to their website they often have buy 1 get 2,etc offers, which make them about $6/bottle.

My accupuncturist recommended this company to me, and we've been very happy with the quality and price.

Best wishes to you!

[enchantinglysimple]

What does everyone think about the Rainbow Light Once Daily Prenatal? Oh and why does it turn your urine yellow/green?

[time machine]

Newly expectant mothers often want to get started on vitamin supplements right away. Many worry that it will hurt the baby if they are too nauseated to take a vitamin, or if they didn't find out about their pregnancies until they were a few months along. But what do prenatal vitamins really accomplish? And which of their components are the most important?

Folic acid
Early in pregnancy, the only component of a multi- or prenatal vitamin that most mothers-to-be really need is folic acid (or folate). Women who are taking extra folic acid when they conceive lower their chances of having a baby with an incomplete spinal column (also known as a neural tube defect or spina bifida). For this protection to take effect, the folic acid has to be present in the first four weeks of fetal development, two of which happen before a woman even realizes that she is pregnant (you don't know until after you miss your first period, which usually occurs about two weeks after conception). That's why it is recommended that all women of childbearing age take either an over-the-counter vitamin containing folic acid or a plain folic acid supplement every day. This is true even if they're not planning on getting pregnant. About half of all pregnancies aren't planned, so being ready at all times is a good idea.

Folic acid is added to many breads and pastas, and is naturally found in many dark green or orange fruits and vegetables. Studies have found that taking a daily supplement offers more of the protective effect than getting the same amount in the form of food. Therefore, even women who eat a healthy diet may benefit from a supplement. The protective dose of folate is found in most regular vitamins (such as One-a-Day or Centrum) or in two chewable children's vitamins. The dose may be written 0.4 mg, 400 ug, or 400 mcg.

Mothers at extra risk for having a baby with a spinal defect usually will be told to take 10 times the recommended dose of folic acid. This 4 mg dose is only recommended for women who have had family members with spina bifida or are on drugs that increase their risk, such as some epilepsy medicines. This high dose of folate has not been shown to benefit those at average risk.

Other vitamins and minerals
Babies are excellent nutrition magnets! Drawing upon their mothers' bodies, they usually help themselves to everything that they need. Therefore, for most babies, extra vitamins are a bonus, not a necessity. Most mothers, however, do benefit from extra iron and calcium, which can be started later in the pregnancy.

[happyhats]

I haven't been taking my prenatals lately, but I took them before getting pregnant. I had both an over the counter and a OB prescribed one, but the only time I get truly nauseous is when I try them. I just got a health food generic of Flintstones though, and I'm gonna try that. My older sister said she had a similar problem holding down pills and this worked great.

Time Machine, thanks for your post. As a newly pregnant first time mom, I was totally freaking about my lack of prenatal usage. I've been doing good with my folic acid, iron and calcium though, no risks run in my family of any major diseases, and from all accounts baby is growing good. (No problems with my blood tests, no problems on ultrasound, baby is active and moving around a lot at fifteen/sixteen weeks, etc) Hopefully being a Flinstone kid will give me a bit more energy and cut down on some of the moodiness I've been feeling.