Supplements

Ideally, you should get nutrition from food. But, there are some nutrients that are difficult to get through food alone. Below are some supplements that may be helpful. You do not need to buy all of them at once. We have grouped them by trimester so you can just buy what you need, when you need it.

At the bottom we have grouped some supplements that can help you manage specific challenges.

FULLSCRIPT OPTION: We participate in an online provider for supplements. If you want to purchase your supplements through FullScript, we will pass the 20% discount back to you. We included the prices below so you can comparison shop.
Please let Margie know if you want your supplements through FullScript. We will assemble as shopping cart and you’ll get an email invoice & order form. Supplements will be delivered directly to you.

Most of Pregnancy . . . (Prenatal)

Prenatal Vitamin Unless you consistently, religiously eat a clean, whole food diet, that includes the “whole rainbow of colors” every day, you need a good prenatal.

PROBIOTICS: Research is clear that women who take probiotics with 2 particular strains of bacteria: rhamonosus and retueri, are much less likely to have Group B Strep colonization when tested at 36-weeks. Thorne’s Women’s Daily Probiotic is excellent. ($23.00 per month)

D3: Take 4 drops per day (4,000 IU total). Fullscript option we order is Metagenics, ($25.59 per bottle)

Magnesium: Read below to see the various forms of magnesium and what they accomplish

Target Nutrients

Here are the nutrients and their target amounts you should be getting every day. These are in the Ritual supplements and most of the others.

Methylfolate - 400-800 mcg daily if it’s not in your prenatal - Folate is a B vitamin that helps you make enough healthy blood cells and convert food into energy. It supports healthy growth of your baby’s brain systems. It’s also an essential part of iron absorption which can help prevent / treat iron deficiency anemia.

Magnesium - 400-600 mg daily
Different types of magnesium have different effects on your body:

Magnesium citrate – constipation and muscle relaxation

Magnesium chloride – great multipurpose  for heartburn, constipation and muscle soreness

Magnesium glycinate –reduces blood sugar levels; improves blood pressure , may be calming, improved sleep

Magnesium L-threonate – the only form that crosses the brain barrier, so it supports brain health manage depression. It also helps with reflux and indigestion.

If you are stressed your body cannot absorb magnesium,, take glutathione anti-oxidant with it to improve absorption.

If it includes B6, take your magnesium in the morning..

Vitamin D3 4,000 IU daily: D3 boosts your immunity and is protective against viruses. It also supports your mood and may help prevent postpartum depression.

Vitamin B12 (if vegan) 2.4 mcgs.

Omegas (Fish/DHA) 1-2 capsules daily: Omega 3 helps your circulation, and supports your baby’s neurological growth.

Choline: Choline helps create membranes in your body and your baby which protects your baby’s brain growth, spinal column, and overall cellular health.

After we get your labs back, we may recommend additional nutritional support.

Iron (if needed): As you make more “liquid” portion of your blood, the “red blood cells” will get diluted. Most pregnant people need to supplement with Iron. Our favorite for a typical client is Iron Bisglycinate by Thorne. (FullScript it is $11.20).

If you want one supplement that is very effective, you can order Three Arrows Simply Heme: (link here). (Three Arrows Nutra.com $84.97)

Once you are in your 2nd trimester:

·NORA Tea (Nettles, Oatstraw, Red Raspberry & Alfalfa) every day. Research and experience show us that the nutrients in this tea help prevent bleeding after birth. We will give you a bag of tea at 28-weeks to celebrate the 3rd trimester!

Probiotics: Be very consistent with your Probiotics and Immune Support to make sure your body is prepared for the 36-week GBS swab.

·Beef Liver (to support red blood cell production). Ancestral Beef Liver ($30.39 in Full Script)

When you are 1-month before your due date

Date Fruit Begin eating 6 Dates per day. Research on Dates indicates that they have a property that not only helps your body get into labor, but also is preventative for bleeding in birth.

NORA: Please drink 1 quart of NORA tea DAILY now. Here’s a link to how to make it: NORA TEA