Expert: Tonja Wells - 4/29/2010

Question
Hi,
I am 5 months pregnant and am really struggling to find a prenatal vitamin that suits my needs.  I just recently purchased one (Nature's Plus Source of Life Prenatal) and this is what it has in it:
150 mg vit C
10 mg B-1
40 mg Niacin
5 mg B-6
10 mg B-2
800 mcg Folic Acid
5 mg PABA
15 mg Zinc
400 mg Calcium
18 mg Iron
200 mg Magnesium
6 mg Manganese
5 mg Choline
5 mg Inositol
100 iu Vit D
800 mcg Biotin
10 mg Potassium
100 iu Vit E
10,000 iu Vit A
25 mg Pantothenic Acid
40 mcg Vit B-12
200 mg Phosphorus
150 mcg Iodine (from Kelp)
50 mg Bromelain (enzyme from Pineapple Fruit)
50 mg Papain (enzyme from Papaya Fruit)
100 million cells Probiotic Blend
Other ingredients:  Di-calcium phosphate, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, silica, brown rice, banana, apricot, apple, alfalfa, barley leaves, broccoli, beet juice, collard greens, parsnips, green zucchini, turnip greens, peach, kale, tomato, spinach and pharmaceutical glaze
Are all of these ingredients safe during pregnancy?  I like to be as natural as possible.  
Thanks very much for your help!

Answer
Hello Lisa,

This looks OK but my favorite for quality is Nature's Sunshine.

Your can order a prenatal through WWW.YourHerbalHealthSolutions.com

Look for Nature's Prenatal.

Their are other things you need while pregnant. Please read the article below.

a Beautiful Experience "Naturally"

CONGRATULATIONS However wonderful it is, NOW is where real love must
make itself known by you. As the mother, you have the greatest
responsibility in producing a reflection of love for the child you carry
for the next 9 months. Nutrition really counts at this time! You can
prevent your hair from falling out or becoming dry or brittle. You can
also prevent the loss of your teeth and formation of cavities and even
exhaustion. More importantly, you can PROTECT your developing baby from
mental and physical problems. Many have found all of the above mentioned
possible by following some trusted historically used herbal formulas,
vitamins and minerals that have traditionally kept mother and baby
healthy and happy and prepared both for a safe, smooth delivery.

Making Baby Wonderful!
1) Nature's Prenatal - This or Super Supplemental should be taken every
day by any woman of childbearing age who is sexually active. Both
contain enough Folic Acid to prevent a serious birth defect,
Spinabifida. This defect occurs even before you know you are pregnant,
so use one of these products as insurance. Nature's Prenatal contains
Ginger to help with nausea but does not have sufficient calcium.
2) Calcium Plus Vitamin D (a rich source of CALCIUM for strong bones and

teeth) plus Herbal Combination CA, an herbal combination with trace
minerals to assure adequate calcium absorption. If you dont’t have
enough calcium and trace elements for the child, there goes your own
hair and teeth. Plus your child is laying down its bones & teeth
throughout the pregnancy. Sufficient calcium also prevents preeclampsia,
or toxemia, a serious complication of later pregnancy. Calcium is
critical in pregnancy!  Leg cramps or muscle spasms at any time are a
sure sign of calcium deficiency.
3) Red Raspberry (considered the woman's herb). This should be taken
throughout the entire pregnancy. It traditionally strengthens the uterus
and entire reproductive system. Coordinates uterine contractions in
childbirth. Decreases chances of a miscarriage for premature babies. It
helps the mother carry full-term.

Nutrition Tips:
1) Do not smoke, drink any alcoholic beverages or consume anything with
any form of caffeine in it, like coffee, teas, colas, or chocolate. All
bad
habits must be abandoned, including cigarettes, alcohol, and caffeine.
It
cannot be overemphasized how extreme the damage can be to the child,
MENTALLY, MORALLY and PHYSICALLY if they are not. Contact your N.S.P.
Herb Specialist if you need nutritional help to give up these bad
habits.
2) Mother and baby should get plenty of rest, fresh air, and moderate
daily exercise throughout the 9 months to keep the muscles in good
condition as childbirth is chiefly a muscular action. Labor and delivery
may be the only marathon you are ever in, so train your body for it.
3) For NAUSEA or MORNING SICKNESS, try red raspberry tea, Papaya Mint
chewable tablets, alfalfa, aloe vera juice, FV herbal formula, Tei Fu
Oil, or
Nausea Homeopathic Liquid.
4) Mental attitude. Your attitude will surely be your baby’s, so it's
up to you and the father to avoid unpleasantness, anger, or fright.
Listen
to classical music as much as possible. Studies show it increases the IQ
of
your unborn baby.
5) Protein everyday is essential to prevent toxemia. Use SynerProTein
or Thermo Meal drinks 1-2 times daily. Prime Form Amino Acids are an
excellent way to be sure your are getting enough protein. Use digestive
enzymes such as Food Enzymes and/or PDA to assure good digestion of your
food, particularly proteins.

The Baby's Coming
Formula 5-W is suggested for a less complicated and faster delivery. It
should be started FIVE weeks before scheduled due date. For THREE weeks
take (8) capsules each day, for the last TWO weeks take (12) capsules
each day. You will need four bottles to complete this program. The herbs
contained in this formula strengthen the uterus for an easier delivery.

Labor Day!
Here are some of the facts and tidbits used by women through the
centuries.
RED RASPBERRY TEA was drunk while in labor to make it easier and prevent
any excessive bleeding.
VITAMIN E - Women often take this every hour while having contractions.
It supplies oxygen for the baby if there's fetal distress.
APS II is a combination which can be used for pain or try the Pain
Homeopathic Liquid or Tablets. Combine 1 oz. (2 tablespoons) of massage
oil with 15 drops Clary Sage & rub on the abdomen and back to relieve
pain very effectively. Tranquility Essential Oil combined with massage
oil (7 drops per tablespoon of oil) can be rubbed on the feet & pulse
points of the wrist to help Mom relax during labor.

WOW! It's over, now what do you do?
APS II (take 3 or 4 all at once) to help alleviate afterpain if needed.
CAPSICUM right after delivery to help stop bleeding.
I also pray that you will want to breast feed your BLESSING. Vitamin C
and Magnesium, which the baby will get from Mom's milk if she takes
enough of these nutrients, prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
Research also shows that breast fed babies have 40% fewer cases of Type
I diabetes than those babies who are breast fed for less than three
months. (Diabetes Care 94;17:13-9.)

While breast feeding, continue to take your calcium/ magnesium
combination. We recommend SKL because it has a higher amount of
magnesium than most calcium supplements. Citrus Bioflavanoids will
supply the Vitamin C. Be sure to continue with SUPER SUPPLEMENTAL or
NATURE'S PRENATAL to insure that you get adequate vitamins and minerals
for feeding yourself and your baby during these busy days when you might
not eat as well as you need to. Folic Acid should also be continued as
the baby will draw that from your milk and will leave you deficient if
you don't have enough in your diet.
If you do, for richer milk use FENNEL ( makes the baby less fussy).
BLESSED THISTLE, and MARSHMALLOW increase the quantity of milk. (What a
wonderful shower gift for the expectant mom.)
PARSLEY and SAGE will help dry up milk when you no longer wish to
breastfeed.
However, if you do decide to give the baby COW'S milk or formula, add
PAPAYA MIN OR PROACTAZYME for better digestibility and COLOSTRUM for immune-building benefits found naturally in Mother's milk.
POST-PARTUM DEPRESSION is a sign of progesterone deficiency. Use
Pro-G-Yam Cream twice daily along with Wild Yam capsules to prevent or
treat this problem. Also, keep carbohydrates to a minimum, emphasizing
protein and fresh fruits and vegetables. Junk foods and excess
carbohydrates, which turn to sugar in your body, can cause depression!

This information is for educational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose and treat diseases. If you have any health problems consult a health practitioner before embarking on any course of treatment