YES, there is a huge difference between
all-natural prenatal vitamins like Rainbow Light Prenatals
and and the prescription or even "grocery store"
vitamins. I took the regular prescription prenatal
vitamins prescribed by the doctor in the beginning of
my pregnancy with my 1st child. The doctor gave
samples out--these would have been covered by insurance
if I would have continued on them. They made me
sick to my stomach every time I took them and after talking
to a midwife she said it was because they were hard to
"break down" and contained ingredients that
were "fake". After switching to
a midwife mid-pregnancy, she expressed to me the importance
of a healthy diet during pregnancy as well as taking a
healthy all-natural vitamin---meaning that the vitamin
did not contain colors, additives, preservative, artificial
fillers and binders. Many vitamins that contain
these types of ingredients are not usable or very minimally
used by the body. The International Journal of Integrative
Medicine (the NOV-DEC 1999 issue) said, "The best
formulated product in the world is of little benefit if
it cannot be made available for absorption. A recent
study of nine prescription prenatal supplements indicated
that six of those products failed to meet US Pharmacopoeial
Convention (USP) standards for folic acid dissolution.
A similar evaluation of prescription prenatal supplements
found that 25% of the brands studied failed to deliver
the recommended daily allowance of supplemental iron."
I have taken several different kinds of
all-natural vitamins over the years and I prefer and recommend
Rainbow Light or New Chapter Organics Prenatal because
of the added herbs and super foods. They are reasonably
priced especially if bought online at the link provided
below. I take them with food, although with the
New Chapter Organics food is not necessary at the time
you take the vitamin. Yes, I can feel a difference in
energy level when I consistently take them. I can also
tell a difference in my hair, skin and nails!
As for the tight budget -- I would (and
do) really consider this as an investment in good health.
We budget a certain amount of money each month for vitamins
for our family. I know that the prenatal vitamins I take
(there are other good ones as well) are nourishing my
body and my baby and not putting in extra ingredients
that my body does not use or find beneficial.
I take Rainbow
Light Complete Prenatal System
A month's supply of the Rainbow Lights would be 180 tabs
which costs about $18.48.
Rainbow
Light Complete Prenatal System 360 Tabs for $28.89 (regular
price is $63.95)
Rainbow
Light Complete Prenatal System 180 Tabs for $18.49 (regular
price $36.95)
That is going out to eat once or not even
$5 a week for a months supply. So to me it is worth
it! Make a separate envelope for pregnancy/fertility health
and save money in that envelope for pregnancy related
items. Once you get farther along in the pregnancy,
you may come up with other items that would help maintain
a healthy pregnancy and prepare the body for birth.
Include those items in your pregnancy health budget.
For example, raspberry herbs and teas and Evening Primrose
Oil could be beneficial in the latter months of pregnancy.
There are other all-natural prenatal vitamins
....like Twin Lab vitamins. These vitamins are powder
form in a gel caplet and are easy for the body to assimilate.
I used these in the beginning of my 1 and 2 pregnancies
and found them to be cheap and healthy, as well as easy
to digest with out the extra additives. Twin Lab
prenatals cost about $8.50 for a month supply. There
are some other brands like Solgar, Nature's Way that are
very reasonable as well. Ordering online from
Vitacost.com
is the easiest and cheapest way to buy vitamins.
Most of their products are around 50% off regular health
food store prices and far below other vitamin websites
prices as well. Order your prenatal vitamins, children's
vitamins, other vitamins, oils, herbs, teas and save lots
of money. They ship fast and have a set shipping
fee of $4 or $5 dollars no matter how much you order.
Comparing
Vitamin Ingredients:
"I
need some tips on how to find out about ingredients and
comparing prenatal vitamins?"
You can look up and compare most prenatal
vitamin ingredients online. You can also search
on Vitacost.com.
Now the prescription vitamin package inserts:
(Most package inserts are available for online reading)
Precare
Chewable multi vitamin/mineral supplement
(notice the colors and artificial flavors)
Precare
Conceive Peri-Conception Multi-vitamin and mineral tablet
(notice the colors and even Aluminum!)
Advanced
NatalCare
__________________________________________________________________________
Nutrition Article Archives
Super Healthy Milk
by Jo Robinson
Confused About
Fat? Choose Grass-Fed by Jo Robinson
The Importance
of Grass-fed Beef to the Pregnant and Nursing Mother
Amazing Super Food
- The Young Coconut
The young coconut is an amazing super food for pregnant
and lactating women. Find out how to use this wonderful
food and its amazing water to nourish your unborn baby
and replenish your body from the output of childbearing
and nursing babies.
Are
All Prenatal Vitamins Created Equal
If you are taking PreCare
or NatalCare or some other "grocery store" or
prescription vitamin, read this article and compare ingredients
to a all-natural prenatal vitamin. You will be shocked
at what is in these popular vitamins.
Prenatal
Iron and Anemia
Natural ways to prevent
anemia and some suggestions on how to cure pregnancy related
anemia
Children's
Health - Vitamin Reviews
Birth Dynamics is affiliated
with Vita-Cost for all your prenatal vitamins and herbs
offering a wide range of products well below "health
food store" prices.
Click
Here To Order Your Prenatal Vitamins
Prenatal
Natural Vitamins Available on Vitacost:
These
prenatal vitamins can be purchased on Vitacost for much
less than health food store prices. Fast Flat Rate Shipping
and Great Customer Service make this an excellent option
for purchasing vitamins and herbs.
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HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED
New
Chapter Organics Perfect Prenatal -- $31.59
(regular price is $54.95)
Whole-Food Probiotic Multi-Vitamin,
Mineral, Live Action Culture & Herbal Complex
Promotes Physical Stamina, Emotional Well-Being,
Nurtures Women & their Babies During Pregnancy,
Postpartum and Lactation. Does not cause nausea
- easy on stomach.
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HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Rainbow
Light Complete Prenatal System 360 Tabs for $31.98
(regular price is $63.95)
Rainbow
Light Complete Prenatal System 180 Tabs for $18.48
(regular price $36.95)
A complete range of
the nutrients women and developing babies need,
including iron and folic acid, often inadequate
in pregnant and lactating women's diets.
Over 1500 mg of whole foods such as spirulina and
wheat grass, to support women's vitality throughout
pregnancy.
A custom blend of herbs including red raspberry,
"the pregnancy herb," and ginger, which
makes mornings a little easier.
Lactobacillus sporogenese, a strain of beneficial
bacteria.
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NSI Synergy Prenatal Multi-Vitamin -- $ 14.99
(regular price $30.95)
NSI’s Prenatal Vitamins are
made up of the most essential nutrients for expectant
and new mothers. The Ferrochel® iron (ferrous
bisglycinate chelate), used in our prenatal formula
is of the highest quality. Ferrochel was used in
several clinical studies. The studies suggest that
the iron from Ferrochel has an apparent bioavailability
of 90.9%, as compared to 26.7% for iron from ferrous
sulfate. This translates into a relative absorption
rate of iron from Ferrochel that is 3.4 times that
of iron from ferrous sulfate.
Prenatal supplements contain iron,
which helps protect you from becoming anemic. NSI’s
Prenatal contains superior levels and forms of essential
folic acid, vitamins C, E, B-complex, calcium and
magnesium. DHA omega-3 fatty acid is also included.
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Country
Life Prenatal Omega Mom -- $ 11.69 (regular
price $25.99)
Essential Fatty Acids and Nutrients
Important Before and During Pregnancy
Promotes Healthy Fetal Development. The nutritional
demands placed on a mother during pregnancy are
so enormous that supplementation with many nutrients,
including Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs), may be very
helpful to both mother and fetus. Prenatal Omega
Mom™ is formulated with important ingredients,
including DHA from fish oil, to support...
Healthy Fetal Development
Fetal Eye and Brain Development Including Nerve
and Neurological Support
Bone, Cardiovascular and Immune System Function
for the Mother
Soothing of the Digestive Tract
The formula in Prenatal Omega Mom™
includes a combination of Omega 3-6-9 from fish
and borage oils, GLA for cardiovascular health and
vitamin B-12 for additional nutritional support.
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Source
Naturals Mother's Choice Prenatal Multiple -- $13.25
(regular price $25.98)
Mother's Choice is specifically
formulated to help meet the nutritional needs of
women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. During
pregnancy, there is an increased requirement for
nutrients. Along with a wide range of vitamins and
minerals, Mother's Choice includes a special blend
of herbs traditionally used by women for centuries.
A woman's need for iron varies during pregnancy,
increasing during the second and third trimesters.
Therefore Mother's Choice is available with and
without iron. Every bottle of Mother's Choice also
comes with a packet of ArcticPure™ DHA (250
mg softgels). DHA is a fatty acid that is crucial
for baby's brain development from the earliest stages
of pregnancy through the breastfeeding years.
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Enzymatic Therapy Doctor's Choice Prenatal -- $16.79
(regular price $27.95)
Pregnant
or lactating woman is constantly “feeding”
her child from the nutrients in her own body, so
it's no surprise she rapidly depletes these vitamins
and minerals.
Doctor's Choice Prenatal™
Supplement provides the appropriate nutritional
balance pregnant women need. It includes beta-carotene,
the precursor that is safely converted to vitamin
A in the body. It also supplies sufficient amounts
of calcium, magnesium, folic acid, vitamin B6, pantothenic
acid, iron, zinc, manganese, copper, and selenium-nutrients
that pregnant and lactating women quickly use up.
Doctor's Choice Prenatal Supplement
provides safe, sufficient nutrition for the growing
fetus, and for pregnant women.
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Nature's
Way Prenatal Complete -- $10.89 (regular
price $21.99)
The vitamins and minerals in this
formula play many important roles in the body during
pregnancy and lactation: antioxidants to protect
fats, cells and DNA, coenzyme precursors for energy
production and metabolism, and cofactors for hormones
and enzymes which regulate body processes.* This
product has been specially formulated for pregnant
or lactating women with nutritionally balanced potencies
of B Vitamins and Buffered Vitamin C mineral ascorbate
to avoid possible stomach discomfort. This product
is 100% natural. |
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TwinLab
Pre-Natal Care Multi-Vitamin -- $7.48
(regular price $14.95)
Twinlab® Pre-Natal Care is available
in capsule form rather than tablet form, so they
are easier to digest.
Twinlab Pre-Natal Care is designed
for women trying to become pregnant, pregnant women
and lactating women. It provides high potency nutrient
supplement of essential vitamins and minerals for
pregnant or lactating women, plus more key nutrients
including iron and vitamin C.
Twinlab Pre-Natal Care Caps delivers 22 different
nutrients; the new improved formula delivers higher
potencies of many vitamins and minerals in just
two capsules than it delivered before in four capsules.
Each capsule delivers 100% of the
new NIH recommended amount of folic acid for pregnant
women. Adequate folic acid in healthful diets may
reduce a woman’s risk of having a child with
a neural tube defect. |
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Solgar
Prenatal Nutrients -- $6.65 (regular
price $13.30)
Multivitamin and Mineral Formula for Pregnant and
Lactating Women |
Other Vitamins
and Herbs - Labor Preparation Herbs, Post-partum and Lactation
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Postpartum
Omega Mom -- $11.69 (regular price
$25.99) The First EFA Product Specifically Designed
for Postpartum Women with Important Nutrients for
Infant Brain Development and DHA for Postpartum Mood
Support. |
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Nature's
Way Alfalfa Leaves capsules - $3.69 (regular
price $7.49)
Used for Lactating mothers to increase
milk supply.
Alfalfa's deep root system pulls valuable minerals
from the soil. With the aid of sunlight, nutrients,
including beta carotene and chlorophyll are made
available to the body in a usable form. Tender young
plants supply a high portion of supple leaves and
avoids the inclusion of woody stems. |
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Nature's Way Red Raspberry Leaves capsules -
$4.39 (regular price $8.99)
Used as a birth preparation herb
to strengthen uterus. Used after birth to aid the
uterus tone and condition. A member of the rose
family, the fruit of the European red raspberry
is a delicious food. Its astringent leaves are widely
used as a traditional herbal supplement and are
especially popular with women. |
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Liquid
Chlorophyll - $6.59 (regular
price $10.90)
Chlorofresh® is a liquid chlorophyll
complex extracted from premium alfalfa leaves. Excellent
remedy for preventing and curing Anemia in pregnancy
and beneficial for postpartum to build blood after
birth. May be available in capsule form. Mix with
juice instead of water for a more palatable taste.
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FloraDix
Iron and Herbs - $23.79 (regular
price $36.25)
Vegetarian Liquid Formula.
Easily Absorbed.
Rich in Iron and B Vitamins, a good source of Vitamin
C.
Non-constipating.
Iron is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies
in the world. Floravital Iron + Herbs provides a
very highly absorbable form of iron and combines
it with B-Vitamins, Vitamin C, digestive herbs and
rosehip extract. Floravital is specially formulated
without yeast or gluten and is safe for people with
yeast or gluten allergies.
Floravital Iron + Herbs offers nutrients
required for proper growth, energy, and for maintaining
optimum health. All family members can enjoy the
health benefits of this liquid formulation. Unlike
other iron products, Floravital Iron + Herbs is
non-constipating.
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Flora
Floradix Iron + Herb Tablets -- 550 mg - 180 Tabs
-$19.99
(regular price $30.99)
A high potency iron supplement
with vitamins, yeast and herb extracts.
Vegetarian Formula.
Helps provide and adequate intake of dietary iron.
Excellent for those who prefer tablets over liquid.
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Traditional
Medicinals Tea Pregnancy - $3.69
Supports Healthy Pregnancy
80% Organic - Caffeine Free
Pregnancy Tea supports healthy pregnancy by combining
herbs used for thousands of years by women in Europe
and North America to tone uterine muscles, provide
nourishment and prepare the womb for childbirth.
Modern pharmacological studies on
raspberry leaf, a primary ingredient in Pregnancy
Tea, substantiate its traditional uses and the 1996
British Herbal Pharmacopoeia indicates its use in
preparation for childbirth.
Certified by the California Certified
Organic Farmers (CCOF).
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Traditional
Medicinals Organic Tea Mother's Milk -- 16 Bags
Per Box $3.69
promotes Healthy Lactation
100% Organic
Organic Mother's Milk promotes healthy lactation*
and is traditionally used to increase breast milk
production.*
This traditional combination of
anise, fennel, and caraway has been in continuous
use for centuries by European women. Organic Mother's
Milk is recommended by lactation counselors and
medical herbalists. Organic Mother's Milk has a
pleasantly aromatic balance of sweet, spicy and
slightly bitter tastes.
Certified by the California Certified
Organic Farmers (CCOF).
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Traditional
Medicinals Organic Tea Raspberry Leaf -- 16 Bags
Per Box $3.69
Supports the Female System
100% Organic - Caffeine Free
Organic Raspberry Leaf tea supports the female system*
by aiding healthy menstruation as well as toning
the uterus in preparation for childbirth.
For millennia European and Native American women
have safely used raspberry leaf for irregular menstruation,
menstrual cramps and during pregnancy.* Today naturopaths
and nurse-midwives often recommend raspberry leaf
tea for these traditional uses.
Certified by the California Certified
Organic Farmers (CCOF).
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Looking for something not found here?? Try
searching on Vitacost for
more Prenatal Vitamins and herbs.
