Not all prenatal supplements are created equal! For such an important time, professional grade, tried and trusted supplements are a must.
Only the best!
Unlike many prenatal supplements, Pre-Natal Packs™ features whole-food forms of vitamins, and mineral chelates, for superior absorption. The proper balance of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and other key nutrients ensures that the nutritional demands of such a profound period of growth are met without burdening the delicate symbiosis with excessive amounts of any one nutrient.
Nutrition for Pregnancy
Nutrition during pregnancy shouldn’t be dramatically different from your typical diet, since this can create shifts or imbalances that might affect your pregnancy. Incorporate changes slowly and follow your own intuition about food, which is heightened during this time. You should expect to gain about 3 or 4 pounds per month throughout your first three trimesters, about 30 to 35 pounds total. Weight gain is a normal and healthy part of your pregnancy!
Protein
Protein serves as an essential and, in my clinical experience, an undervalued nutrient source that helps protect the health of you and your baby. You will experience less nausea, a stronger pregnancy, fewer blood sugar fluctuations, and healthy weight gain. Protein supports healthy tissues, muscles, and blood supply and proper fetal growth and development. All of this sets up both you and your baby for better health and eases healing after your pregnancy. Studies show you should aim to eat 75 to 100 grams of protein daily. Clinically, I have seen that a more moderate amount of 50 to 80 grams of protein daily can be sufficient if you have an overall healthy diet. If you are a vegetarian, focus should be on balanced complete protein sources while maintaining a warm digestion.
Key Nutrients
Folic Acid
Consuming B9, also known as folate (from natural food sources) and folic acid (synthetic version) starting early in your pregnancy, or even prior to becoming pregnant, serves a number of important functions in supporting you and your baby’s health. It helps make and repair DNA, aids production of red blood cells, and prevents complications such as miscarriage, preeclampsia, and certain birth defects. But how much folate or folic acid you take and where it comes from matters. Because women are advised to take multivitamins containing folic acid before and throughout pregnancy, the supplementation together with natural dietary folates has led to a demographic with high and rising serum levels of unmetabolized folic acid. Unmetabolized folic acid can also be the result of a genetic metabolic issue leading to hyperhomocysteinemia, or abnormally high levels of amino acids in the blood. This is seen in people with a particular type of gene mutation. When the MTHFR gene malfunctions, folic acid isn’t broken down. However, taking the active, converted form of folic acid in the form of L-methylfolate can decrease risks during pregnancy and is easier to metabolize with the gene mutation.
DHA
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid necessary for normal brain growth and cognitive development. Studies have shown that supplementing with DHA during pregnancy and breastfeeding may have a positive effect on the baby’s brain and development.
For more in-depth recommendations for Nutrition during Pregnancy & Morning Sickness Remedies – my book The Key to Postpartum Nutrition goes into detail in the first Chapter!
You’re not stuck with the health you have!
The views and nutritional/herbal advice expressed by Tansy Briggs, DACM, L.OM is not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. Purchasing a product, program or wellness coaching does not establish a practitioner patient relationship with Tansy Briggs, DACM, L.OM. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. We suggest that you continue to work with qualified medical professionals as you engage in our material, products and services. No information offered here should be interpreted as a diagnosis of any disease, nor an attempt to treat or prevent or cure any disease or condition. Information and statements regarding products and/or services made available by Tansy Briggs, DACM, L.OM have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Tansy Briggs, DACM. L.OM or Integrative Health Link products and services are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.