Prenatal supplements are incredibly important to help support you and your growing baby.
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There is very little information and guidance when it comes to prenatal multivitamins unless you are seeing a great holistic doctor or naturopath.
High quality prenatal supplements have been designed with all of the essential nutrients to support a mother through pregnancy and after she gives birth. They are incredibly important to take alongside a nutrient-rich and balanced diet and are not a replacement for food.
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Here are 5 things I think more mamas need to know when it comes to a prenatal multivitamins. Spoiler Alert* If you read to the end i’ll give you my 3 favourites.
This is marketed as the go-to pregnancy supplement and quite frankly it’s rubbish. It contains poorly absorbable forms of certain nutrients, it has essential nutrients missing and can actually worsen nausea which is the last thing you want in the first trimester right?
Ideally we want nutrients to be high quality or whole food based (sourced from 100% organic whole foods with a range of different fruits, vegetables and herbs.)
Two of my favourite whole food supplements for mamas are Foraged for You Mother’s Blend or Mega Food Baby and Me 2
Look for active folate – Methylfolate, 5 MTHF or Folonic Acid and not Folic Acid (I will share more on this in a future journal post).
Choline – it is an essential nutrient that is often missing from prenatal multivitamins and nearly 90% of women are deficient in choline.
In an ideal world, we would begin taking a prenatal multivitamin three months prior to conceiving. Didn’t quite make it? No worries, start taking your multivitamin as soon as you find out and don’t stop until you are 6 weeks postpartum. Ideally, mama’s should continue to take their multivitamin for the entirety of their breastfeeding journey too.
Try and avoid one-a-day prenatal because put simply… all the goodness you need just doesn’t fit. They are also typically made with poor quality synthetic nutrients.
Splitting your daily dose of your prenatal, say one with breakfast and one with lunch, can increase your absorption. But only do this if you know you will remember to go back for the other half!
Depending on levels, diet, symptoms and conditions, other supplementation could be greatly beneficial. If possible, a full panel blood test can help identify any deficiencies. A holistic doctor, naturopath or holistic nutrition consultant can help you find the right supplements to support you through your fourth trimester to avoid further depletion.
MegaFood Baby & Me 2 Prenatal Multi supports optimal nutrition before and during pregnancy with specific levels of iron, vitamins B12, B6, and D3. Choline and methylated folate (the active form of folic acid) help support fetal health.
Foraged for You The Mother’s Blend (VILLAGEFORMAMA for $20 off your first order)
A certified organic blend of carefully selected, real and fermented foods containing lactobacillus probiotics. The Mothers Blend has been developed specifically with pregnant and breastfeeding women in mind. It is however a nutrient powerhouse that can be incorporated into any individuals diet.
Eagle Tresos Natal is a multivitamin and mineral complex formulated to help the body prepare for conception, maintain maternal health during pregnancy and support healthy foetal development. It contains metabolically active forms of B6, B12 and Folate (5 – MTHF).
Love leila x
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