4 of the Best Supplements to take when you’re Pregnant.
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As a first time mom I’m sure you’ll be wondering what you need to do to make sure that the precious little life growing inside of you gets all the nutrients and support you can possibly give. Here are four of the best supplements to take when you’re pregnant that will be beneficial to both baby and mama…
1.One a Day Prenatal Multivitamin Softgels
One of the first things your doctor or mid-wife will ask you when your pregnancy is confirmed is whether you’re taking a prenatal multivitamin (If you’ve been trying to get pregnant then you’re probably already taking one). Two of the most important things to look for in a prenatal multivitamin are the Folic Acid and DHA content. Folic Acid is super important to help prevent serious birth defects of the brain and spinal cord (such as spina bifida), as well as neural tube defects. The recommended dosage is 600-800mcg daily. DHA helps build your baby’s brain, nervous system, and eyes. You’ll want a prenatal multivitamin that has at at least 200mg of DHA in it.  I tried a few different brands and styles and of them all the best I found was this One a Day soft gel which goes down easier and is also gentle on the stomach.
2.Calm Plus Calcium and Magnesium
This supplement is actually awesome for two reasons… firstly you may find that although you feel like taking a nap ten times a day (because growing a tiny human is super hard work) you’ll likely have difficulty sleeping during the night…magnesium regulates neurotransmitters, which send signals throughout the nervous system and brain, and also regulates the hormone melatonin, which guides your sleep-wake cycles. This drink is tasty and easy on the stomach and can be taken hot or cold before bed. I recommend the Raspberry Lemon flavor, it’s soothing and sweet when dissolved in hot water, and a bit tangy and cloudy when mixed with cold water..but either way is equally effective in helping you get some much needed rest.
Secondly, it really helps to keep you regular…which is something you will appreciate when you realize that one of the things that comes with pregnancy, unfortunately, is constipation…this is in part due to increased levels of the hormone progesterone, which slows down the digestive tract, as well as the Iron in your prenatal. Your doctor will likely recommend you take a stool softener called Colace. However this comes with possible nasty side effects and takes 1 to 3 days to have an effect. I gave it a try but found it incredibly hard to stomach, my morning sickness wasn’t particularly severe but this seemed to get it going every time, and I didn’t find it very effective even when I did manage to keep it down, So this natural alternative became a personal favorite and I actually continue to take it even now.
3. Kyolic Aged Garlic Immune Formula 103
In the beginning of my pregnancy I felt constantly exhausted and on the verge of coming down with a cold or flu. I was weak and tired and wasn’t able to take my usual Airborne to boost my immune system because it was not recommended by the pharmacist due to the high vitamin A content which can be harmful in pregnancy and cause defects (this depends on the type but the RDA during pregnancy is 3300iu and we consume it from many different sources so I wasn’t going to risk it), in any case, after many hours of research I came across this Kyolic Aged Garlic Immune formula and started taking it as soon as I could and within a few days I felt so much better and actually managed to avoid the cold and flu bugs that went around the office and friends and family for the duration of my pregnancy, so it is definitely a winner in my book and I recommend it to all my pregnant friends..and whoever wants to boost their immune system during flu season as well. This is another one I continue to take during the winter months or whenever there’s something going around.
4. Red Raspberry Leaf Tea
There are many benefits to drinking Red Raspberry Leaf Tea during pregnancy. It is said to ease morning sickness, aid the mother’s immune system, and promote better circulation. Taking raspberry leaf is also believed to help strengthen the uterine muscles and tone the pelvic floor in preparation for childbirth, and The American Pregnancy Association says that raspberry leaf tea could help reduce the need for interventions during childbirth.
It’s recommended to avoid drinking it in the first trimester, but you can start drinking it as early as the second trimester.  Personally I started drinking it in the third trimester. I steeped a couple teaspoons in a teapot for 15 mins and then mixed a little packet of True Lemon in with it (which gives it a better flavor than any honey or sweetener I tried) and then took it to work in a thermos to sip on it during the day, it became part of my daily routine and  I believe it helped with my morning sickness. It’s hard to know how it affected the actual labor and recovery because I had nothing to compare it to, but when researching it I read a lot of reviews from women who have given birth multiple times and believed this tea improved their childbirth experience. I also take this now that I am trying to get in shape after giving birth because apparently it aids with weight loss and also helps reduce inflammation, I’ve had issues with pain in my joints, particularly my hips and ankles since I got pregnant, I had them before from time to time but being pregnant just seemed to take it to a new level, so I feel this tea has helped with that, I’m also taking some other supplements for it along with this, but this tea has many benefits for women’s health in general. For a more in depth look at these health benefits check out this article…Health benefits of Red Raspberry Leaf Tea
Always remember to consult with your midwife or doctor before taking any supplements during pregnancy. I am in my 30s and had a healthy pregnancy throughout. These supplements worked wonders for me, and many others, but each pregnancy is different so always let your care provider know what you’re taking.
