Choosing The Right Prenatal For You!

 

Navigating the Right Prenatal for You!

 

Why is this so hard? There are so many to choose from and it can be so difficult to know what to take with epigenetics in play. Do I choose Folic Acid or Folate? What if I over methlyate? What if I have MTHFR? Does it really matter if I take a prenatal vitamin if I have a good diet? What if I have history of anemia? What if I have a history of gestational diabetes?

There is so much information out there and it can be tricky to find a starting place. The information on epigenetics is ever growing and though genetics are written in our DNA, we can make a difference. This is by no means an exhaustive list of prenatals but wanted to help give a start of where and what to look for.

Up to 40% of people have the MTHFR gene mutation (information varies by source), and so I have just advised clients to pretend that you have it since not everyone has the resources to test. In the methyated form it is typically easier to absorb. That said there is a sub group that initially feels good with methylated vitamins, but then feels worse, for them it is best when they take a prenatal without those mythaltaed vitamins and get B12 and Folate in forms such as hydroxy or adenosycobalamin and Folinic acid since the b vitamins are vital to the nervous system and are cofactors for iron absorption. Along with that, Choline as it is an essential nutrient similar to the b family and is part of the neural tube defect prevention (a more recently found connection) and so it is important for all to take. In a future, I will do a blog post about GD and anemia, but for now I recommend a prenatal with chromium if you have Gestational Diabetes, and a prenatal with iron if you have a history of anemia.

Unfortunately, despite how good our diets are it is hard to get everything in our foods, and the Prenatal fills in the blanks in our diets.

It is important to start the prenatal 3 months in advance to getting pregnant, sometimes even more…some books suggest 6-8 months especially if you have been taking birth control since it can impact the absorption of certain nutrients.  

These are the Prenatal Vitamins I recommend to my own clients:

(There are a number of brands that you can choose from including the following…Note that if you struggle with blood sugar issues, the Chromium is very important to take for blood sugar regulation. All of these contain Methylated B12 vitamins and Folate unless otherwise stated. The vital nutrients of choline, chromium and DHA/EPA are listed on each. This is by no means an exhaustive list.)

At nutrition stores locally you can find -

Mega Food Baby and Me 2 minis - nonGMO organic prenatal, Tested for pesticides- Choline 300 mg, Chromium 50 mcg. No DHA/EPA (Amazon/Natural Grocers)- 4 Tablets - 

New Chapter Advanced Perfect Prenatal - nonGMO and organic vegetables. Kosher, Chromium 45 mcg, no Choline - (Health Food Store or Amazon)- 3 tablets

SmartyPants Prenatal - non GMO, Choline 55mg, EPA/DHA 114mg, no Iron, no Chromium - 4 gummies - these also contain no iron

On Amazon or from the manufacturer you can find - 

Seeking Health Optimal Prenatal -nonGMO, vegetarian, GF, peanut free, tree nut free, soybean free, egg free, dairy free, no artificial sweeteners- Choline 250 mg, Chromium 120 mcg, no DHA/EPA (Amazon)- 8 capsules 

Ritual - vegan, nonGMO, no artificial colors, free of major allergens and GF, no Chromium, Choline 55 mg - (Amazon) - 2 capsules

Designs for Health Prenatal Pro - Chromium 45 mcg, Choline 50 mg- no DHA/EPA (Amazon)- 4 Capsules

Pink Stork- vegan, DHA 200 mg, no Chromium, Choline 50 mg, - (Amazon)- 2 Capsules 

Thorne Basic Prenatal- Dairy free, GF free, soy free, and no artificial flavors, Choline 110 mg, Chromium 100 mcg /Thorne makes a separate DHA/EPA prenatal supplement (Amazon) - 3 capsules

Seeking Health Prenatal Essentials Methyl Free Prenatal- this is if you over-methylate- free of milk, egg, fish, shellfish, peanuts, wheat and soy, no Choline, Chromium 100 mcg (Amazon) - 2 Capsules

NEEDED Prenatal- depending on which you choose. Choline 150 mg and 400 mg in powder, no iron, no omega, but available in their other products. 3-8 capsules depending on product preference. Also available in powder form. No iron, No Omega but available in other prenatal products. 45 mcg Chromium in 3 pill but 120 mcg in 8 pill and powder. (Amazon or NEEDED website)

Most brands that are bought from the grocery store/drug store do not give you the nutrition you need typically, and they often do not contain what they say and are most of the time synthetic, so do keep that in mind.

If you would like me to help with nutrition tailored to you, please don't hesitate to reach out…405-31-3704, I only charge $45, because I want to help and be affordable to all.

The first in the Oklahoma City Metro area to schedule and have this customized coaching will also be able to meet me locally (this will not be mailed) to a receive a Baby Bub Maternity Pillow!!!!! They had me check it out and it really is the perfect pregnancy pillow. I wish it was around when I had a baby.

OEKO – TEX certified which means Bub's is tested and is free of nasty stuff according to the website.

https://www.babybub.com/products/pillow