Jen's Must-Have Pregnancy Supplements
Whether you are preparing for your first pregnancy or a subsequent one, your primary concern is always to ensure that you are taking good care of yourself and your unborn child. The womb is their cozy home for the next several months and should be a place of nourishment and protection. During pregnancy, a woman’s daily requirements for certain nutrients increase to meet the needs of the developing baby. Specific vitamins and minerals are necessary to conceive and sustain a woman’s health throughout the nine months of pregnancy. While diet should be the first place you look to get nutrients, supplements are often helpful, especially during pregnancy.
Below is a list of my must-have pregnancy supplements and products that promote health and wellness throughout the entire pregnancy.
We are always trying to seek out the best products to recommend and carry in our store. In the natural health field, products can be discontinued or company standards can change. See below for our recent supplement recommendations based on updated information and research.
ALL TRIMESTERS:
Prenatal by Synergy Company - Prenatal vitamins are an essential must-have as they help cover any nutritional gaps in the mother’s diet. Synergy Company makes our favorite prenatal on the market. These wholesome vitamins and minerals are made from organic veggies and fruits and are deeply nourishing and gentle on the stomach.
Blood Builder by MegaFood - During pregnancy, your body is producing more blood to carry nutrients to your growing baby. Blood Builder promotes optimal blood circulation and a healthy cell production level throughout your body. It also helps to combat fatigue during pregnancy as it provides raw, whole-food iron that is not constipating.
TerraFlora by Enviromedica - Having a strong and healthy gut flora is essential for both mom and baby. Probiotic helps to replenish good bacteria and promotes vaginal flora balance, which is extremely important during the third trimester and labor. SBO Probiotics Ultimate by Ancient Nutrition is also an excellent probiotic formula, and either of these products would be a great replacement for the Primal Defense by Garden of Life that was mentioned in the video above.
Ultimate Omega by Nordic Naturals - Since the release of the video above, we started taking Ultimate Omega instead of the Cod Liver Oil by Green Pastures, and we absolutely love it. Omega-3 fatty acids are critical in helping build the baby's brain and retina. We like Ultimate Omega because it comes from only wild caught fish and every batch of Nordic Naturals fish oils is tested by a third-party certified lab for environmental toxins, including heavy metals. Plus all fish oils are in the triglyceride form and surpass the strictest international standards for purity and freshness. There is no fishy taste (which is great for pregnancy) and it’s free of GMOs, gluten, milk derivatives, and artificial color or flavors.
Vitamin D3 by Harmonic Innerprizes - Vitamin D supplementation during the entire pregnancy is crucial as it may reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia, low birth weight, and preterm birth. Vitamin D also helps to support the immune system and to build strong bones. Another great and more enjoyable way to develop your body’s stores of Vitamin D is to get in the sun!
Inner Vitality by Morningstar Minerals - This formula provides every trace mineral the body needs. After taking it consistently, women notice more energy, less fatigue, and overall better mood.
Magnesium Chloride by Health and Wisdom - Pregnancy requires increased micronutrients to support both the mother and her growing baby. One such micronutrient is magnesium. However, not all magnesium is the same. Magnesium chloride is our preferred form as it's a more absorbable form of magnesium. We recommend using it in either a bath or a foot soak nightly. This will not only help you get your daily intake of magnesium in, but it's also great for relaxation, better sleep, and relieving aches throughout all three trimesters.
Daily Greens Formula Powder by Aloe Life or Power Greens by Spirit of Health - Greens provide lots of nutrition to the body (and your growing baby) while strengthening and healing the blood to prevent common illnesses like anemia. Greens also support healthy digestion, energy, detoxification, diuresis, and pH balance for alkalinity.
Maximum Vibrance by Vibrant Health, Bone Broth by Ancient Nutrition, or Strength Of Samson Powder by Spirit of Health - Protein powders are an easy way to get extra protein into your pregnancy diet. Max Vibrance and Strength Of Samson are both plant-based sources of protein that include added greens and herbs. Bone Broth protein is high in collagen, which is excellent for the health of you and your baby's gut, joints, and ligaments.
FIRST TRIMESTER FAVORITES:
Balance by Herbally Grounded - This herbal formula assists the body in keeping healthy hormone levels in balance.
Progesteronic Hormonal by Wish Garden or Proferia Progesterone-ADP Cream by Arthur Andrew Medical - Progesterone is a key hormone when it comes to getting and staying pregnant. Progesteronic is an herbal tincture that helps the body to produce more progesterone, while Proferia is a topical plant based cream that delivers natural phytoprogestins through the skin. Both work well at naturally increasing progesterone levels in women during their first trimester.
Welcome Womb by Wish Garden - This is a traditional midwife formula that nurtures and supports a woman's healthy reproductive system for the delicate time at the beginning of pregnancy. Many women take this who are at risk or show signs of a miscarriage. Welcome Womb can be purchased through WishGarden by your practitioner or midwife.
Liver Detox I Tea by Spirit of Health - Liver detoxification is essential for health all of the time, but especially during pregnancy to help eliminate toxins in the body. Because of this, many have found that by supporting the liver, they were able to prevent or lessen the severity of morning sickness and other pregnancy-related complaints. This Liver Detox Tea is a gentle formula that is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women. *Can be used in any trimester.
SECOND TRIMESTER FAVORITES:
Pregnancy Support Tea by Spirit of Health - This tea is specifically formulated for the needs of a mom and her baby after the first trimester. The herbs in this tea like red raspberry leaf and nettle leaf help prepare the body for labor.
THIRD TRIMESTER FAVORITES:
Alfalfa Tablets by Pines International - Taking alfalfa tablets during the last trimester of pregnancy helps to decrease postpartum bleeding and limits your chance of hemorrhaging. *Can also be used in any trimester.
Rescue Remedy by Bach - This can be helpful to calm and relax the emotions. It has been used for decades to help with stress, anxiety, trauma, and shock. Rescue Remedy has also been shown to increase focus and attention. They are simple, safe, and effective flower essences.
Birth-Prep Six Week Formula by Dr. Christopher - A unique whole herb formulation designed to support an expecting mother's body for the last six weeks of pregnancy to prepare her physically for the birthing process. This product should be used under a professional health care provider only during the last six weeks of pregnancy.
Preparing the Body for Labor at 36 Weeks - A list of herbs, essential oils, vitamins, and other natural remedies to help prepare the body for labor by toning the uterus, balancing birth hormones, and getting adequate vitamin K levels.
FOURTH TRIMESTER/POSTPARTUM RESOURCES:
When looking for prenatal supplements and other pregnancy products, be sure to read the labels, avoid synthetics, and always look for real food sources.