6 Answers
Hello!
I would recommend a high quality Prenatal multivitamin. Pure Encapsulations has one as well as Thorne. I would also recommend taking additional algae based dha/epa. It's always best to chat with your naturopath/midwife etc also :)
Hi there,
I'd recommend finding a Functional Nutritionist who you can meet with to determine what deficiencies you may have heading into pregnancy or to help sustain healthy levels during pregnancy!
Disclaimer: I'm a doula and childbirth educator, not a medical provider.
But in the interest of keeping anxiety down for those pregnant people who are anxious about providing optimal nutrition to the baby, here's my take. I often think of prenatal vitamins as more for the person carrying the pregnancy. The baby gets what the needs first, but then there may be little left for the pregnant person during or after the pregnancy! So, for those people that haven't been able to keep prenatals down, or found discovered their pregnancy a bit later in the game, don't worry, it's probably just fine.
In my experience as a doula, anemia is really common, so make sure you talk to your doctor or midwife about absorbable forms of iron and other blood builders to keep up your energy.
Dr Mitra Ray, a biochemist in the US has done a lot of research into this and come up with some incredible results. I work with the same company as her. Let me know if you would like to see some of the research.
Dr. Weston A. Price traveled the world almost 100 years ago looking for the healthiest people on the planet. When he found them (based on their dental health) he studied what they ate.
Almost every tribe or group in this category fed pregnant women special "sacred" foods since they understood the importance of nutrition in pregnancy.
From the Weston A. Price Foundation, president Sally Fallon in her article entitled: Diet for Pregnant and Nursing Mothers, outlines those and other foods that should be consumed by women during pregnancy:
By Sally Fallon Morell
Diet for Pregnant and Nursing Mothers
Cod Liver Oil to supply 20,000 IU vitamin A and 2000 IU vitamin D per day, which is provided by 2 teaspoons high vitamin cod liver oil (Green Pasture brand).
1 quart (or 32 ounces) whole milk daily, preferably raw and from pasture-fed cows (learn more about raw milk on our website A Campaign for Real Milk,
4 tablespoons butter daily, preferably from pasture-fed cows
2 or more eggs daily, preferably from pastured chickens
Additional egg yolks daily, added to smoothies, salad dressings, scrambled eggs, etc.
3-4 ounces fresh liver, once or twice per week (If you have been told to avoid liver for fear of getting “too much Vitamin A,” be sure to read Vitamin A Saga) on this website
Fresh seafood, 2-4 times per week, particularly wild salmon, shellfish and fish eggs
Fresh beef or lamb daily, always consumed with the fat
Oily fish or lard daily, for vitamin D
2 tablespoons coconut oil daily, used in cooking or smoothies, etc.
Lacto-fermented condiments and beverages
Bone broths used in soups, stews and sauces
Soaked whole grains
Fresh vegetables and fruits
AVOID:
Trans fatty acids (e.g., hydrogenated oils)
Junk foods
Commercial fried foods
Sugar
White flour
Soft drinks
Caffeine
Alcohol
Cigarettes
Drugs (even prescription drugs)
IMPORTANT WARNING: Cod liver oil contains substantial levels of omega-3 EPA, which can cause numerous health problems, such as hemorrhaging during the birth process, if not balanced by arachidonic acid (ARA), an omega-6 fatty acid found in liver, egg yolks and meat fats. Please do not add cod liver oil to a diet that is deficient in these important animal foods. It is important to follow our diet for pregnant mothers in its entirety, not just selected parts of it.
Go to www.westonaprice.org for THE BEST nutrition information to guide you during pregnancy, while breast feeding AND for your infant.
I'm not a physician, so please do consult with yours before starting any of these, and ask your doctor about the recommended dosages. Here are some things you could research.
Consider -
Folate (different then Folic Acid)
DHA
B 12
B 6
Iodine
The other vitamins and minerals are usually found in all prenatal vitamins, however the ones mentioned above are not in all vitamins.
Some factors to consider are your current diet. For example, if you're vegan, consider Dr. Furhman's suppliments -
https://www.drfuhrman.com/shop/products/55/gentle-prenatal
Your diet is first and foremost important. Research high nutrient smoothies (made with greens, vegetables and fruits.) You want to rotate foods, eating a variety of colors and sources as well as an assortment of seeds and nuts. Staying away from high in toxins (factory farmed dairy, non organic veggies/fruits), and mercury or raw sea foods.
