My first pregnancy was virtually supplement-free. I was young, clueless, and too horribly sick to take anything anyway - even if I'd known what to take (which I didn't).
Thankfully, since then I've learned of a great array of supplements to help make pregnancy easier and healthier. I'd like to share my list with you, and I hope you'll reciprocate - I love hearing new ideas!
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, just a passionate amateur. You are responsible for doing your own research and accepting all risks before trying any supplements!
For Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy:
Click here to see my entire list of supplements (and dietary/lifestyle changes) to avoid severe nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Preferably, these supplements and dietary changes would be started as far in advance of conception as possible.
Additionally, I enthusiastically recommend all supplements and dietary changes at the above link for all pregnancies, not just those plagued by morning sickness. Check it out!
For Pregnancy and Postpartum in General:
BASICS: Vitamin B complex, Vitamin D, Multivitamin, Magnesium, DHA (fish oil), Coconut Oil
Why: These are the supplements that provide much of what is missing in the standard American diet.
When: Every day, preferably pre-conception onward (i.e. all the time!)
Ideally I would add: Probiotics! Probiotics are awesome for just about everything, and gut health is extremely important during pregnancy (as it always is). This time around, I have neglected probiotics simply because I was eating so many probiotic lacto-fermented foods. But if funds were not an issue, I would definitely add a good probiotic to the mix.
Desiccated Liver Pills
Why: This supplement was recommended to provide micronutrients I might miss in the early first trimester when my diet was so limited. I like it so much that it's now part of my regular supplement regimen! Read all about the benefits of dessicated liver here. Of course, if you like liver, you can always just cook it and eat it. I'll stick with pills.
When: All the time! Especially good to build up iron stores before baby is born.
Other options: If you'd like a good source of non-animal-based iron, try Floradix. I'm guessing that liver provides a superior micronutrient profile, but Floradix is good too!
Red Raspberry Leaf Tea
Why: Good for everything "woman-wise"! Morning sickness, birth preparation, etc. Read all about it here! I am currently drinking two glasses a day, and I also plan on doing the "miracle birth brew." I'll let you know how it works! (Directions for regular tea and for full-strength birth tea are in above link.)
Bulk herbs may be purchased online at several excellent online stores. Local friends, try Desert Sage Herbs in Chandler, AZ. The price per pound is slightly higher than online, but when you take shipping charges into account, it is far cheaper than purchasing online.
When: All the time, but especially during pregnancy!
Also try:
- Nettles! - Another great herb for women! Can be mixed with RRL to make tea.
- Alfalfa! (See below for more information) - You can add alfalfa to your tea mix if you prefer that over pill form.
- Peppermint! - For flavor.
- See this tea recipe for directions on combining the above into a pregnancy tea!
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| I have no idea why this picture turned out upside down, but you get the idea. |
Alfalfa Pills
Why: Building my vitamin K stores (to help with postpartum bleeding) and building up baby's vitamin K stores (since we choose not to accept the vitamin K shot). Alfalfa also has a ton of great micronutrients - check it out here! It's an awesome supplement. Please note that I am talking about alfalfa (the grass) not alfalfa seeds.
Alfalfa can also be taken as a tea rather than a pill (see above).
If you want another way to get super-high levels of "green stuff" (i.e. concentrated greens), try liquid chlorophyll! (Hint: It's made from alfalfa.) We always keep a bottle of this wonderful stuff on hand to use as green food coloring for frosting and ice cream (instead of the typical petroleum derivative), but it's also an amazing supplement. Many people put it in their drinking water.
You can always just eat terrifically high amounts of greens (spinach, etc.), but I am notoriously bad at that!
When: Preferably all the time (pregnant or not), but at least during the last trimester.
Dates
Why: Date consumption has been shown to have amazingly positive results on pregnancy health and birth statistics! Read the summary here (or the original 2011 study here).
It's also a great excuse to eat one of the yummiest foods on the planet.
When: All the time, but at least during the last four weeks of pregnancy (~6 dates per day).
Liquid Calcium-MagnesiumWhy: Date consumption has been shown to have amazingly positive results on pregnancy health and birth statistics! Read the summary here (or the original 2011 study here).
It's also a great excuse to eat one of the yummiest foods on the planet.
When: All the time, but at least during the last four weeks of pregnancy (~6 dates per day).
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| I'm entirely too tired to find a picture of a date, so you'll have to make do with a picture of a toddler with a date shake! Does that count? |
Why: Prevention and treatment of afterpains!
Read about my complete afterpain protocol, which has taken my afterpains from debilitating-excruciating (first birth) to quite manageable (third birth).
When: Always good, but especially during the last trimester and then during the postpartum.
Afterpains Tincture
Why: This stuff is great for helping with afterpains! Unfortunately the company from whom I usually buy my tincture has stopped selling to the public, but there are comparable products out there. Just do a quick Google search!
When: Immediately after birth (I take mine within 60-120 seconds after birth) and thereafter as needed.
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