Vegan prenatal vitamins?

[capersmama]

Where online can I get vegan prenatal vitamins without having to remortgage my house??? I have been looking for days and all the ones I have found are like $30 for a small bottle.

HELP!!

[Erin Pavlina]

Okay, here's a question... why take a prenatal vitamin? Are you lacking in a certain nutrient? If so, eat foods that are higher in that vitamin. Or just buy a supplement for the item you're missing.

I think prenatals are great, don't get me wrong. But to suggest that just because a woman is pregnant that she NEEDS a prenatal vitamin sounds like a marketing ploy.

During my first pregnancy I simply had my blood tested for key nutrients. I found that I was sufficient in everything. Never took a prenatal. Iron was fine, B12 and folic acid were fine, calcium was great.

So, save your money. Eat healthy foods, take a supplement for just the areas you're down, skip the prenatal unless you want the insurance.

[capersmama]

Ya know what Erin..you're right! I eat good. I was just worrying because since finding out Im pregnant..I havent been eating any leafy veggies or my nutritional yeast popcorn..so actually was just worried about the folic acid. I just havent wanted those veggies or popcorn.

I have been craving sweet potatos, and apple juice. I have snacked on sliced tomatos. This pregnancy's cravings have been strange.

This is my 1st vegan pregnancy..and to be honest...a few tint worries have crept up. My big worry is the folic acid.

Thanks!!
Alice

[Erin Pavlina]

I had the same worry with folic acid. Find a list of foods high in folic acid and eat as many as possible. :)

[capersmama]

Thanks a bunch Erin!

[HoneyNBen]

I drives me nuts when people freak out about pregger vitamins. This is really just a ploy. A prenatal vitamin should be taken before pregnancy. That's when your body ...actually the baby needs the folic acid. I'm not saying to not take care of yourself, but the whole prenatal thing drives me nuts-O! Doctors push these pills and if you read the label they tell you when to take them...Prenatal! Eat healthy and you'll get what you need. Can't due to hyperemeis (like me) take supplements and/or pray your baby can live off of what you've had stored up in case the supp's won't stay down either! Also, remember that your body can only absorb so much at a time. Notice the discolored urine? That's 1.00 a pill you're peeing out! :) Also, try a children's vitamin. You can chew them all day and you'll absorb them and get plenty for you and the baby.

Oh and be sure to take a vitamin if you notice you're getting tired, more than pregger's tired, or you're craving "more" than normal food. It's your body telling you that it or the baby needs something. So stay healthy and eat healthy. Remember iron is absorbed into the body better when it accompanies Vitamin C. Also, Vitamin C is not something the body stores. You need it every day.


I hope all of you with swollen bellies have a happy birthing experience!
BTW...how many of you have midwives? Had homebirths? Breastfed?

[capersmama]

Thanks HoneyNBen!
I agree..a healthy diet should be more than enough. I have relied on knowing my body and knowing how to care for myself...so I should just stop spazzing out about this pregnancy.

I have a midwife. Have already had a homebirth with #4 and LOVED IT! It was sooo relaxing to be at home the whole time..well excepth when the mid had me out walking to get labor going better..lol..other than that I was online chatting in a homeschooling chatroom until I was 8cm. I was amazed at how comfy I was.
I just have to share this with you...with #4...my 2 oldest sons (13, 9) came into the room as I was having the baby. They got to see him born..and ohh..about 5 minutes after he was born..my oldest went to get his guitar..and played Happy B-Day to the baby as we all sang. It was WONDERFUL!

This time I hope to have my dh (dear husband) catch the baby. Last time..well..there wasnt enough time.

Breastfeeding is a non issue with me. Yes I breastfed (and still am) I didnt get to nurse my 2 oldest because of stupid medical advice and lack of guts to stand up to the drs.

[capersmama]

Ok,
Just got off the phone with my Midwife...she feels that I should take a prenatal vitamin. To be honest..I guess it isnt that big of a deal..afterall..the body will only take what it needs and flush the rest. Right?

I just really didnt want to spend so much for prenatals. :-/

[Erin Pavlina]

For the most part, yeah, you're right the body will flush the rest. But some vitamins are toxic in high doses and if you're getting a daily supply from prenatals and then you're eating foods that are also high in those vitamins you could get yourself into trouble. It's doubtful that it would happen, but still something to consider.

Why did she think you should do it? Did she have a specific reason?

[capersmama]

Her reasoning was that she had just read an article concerning vegan moms having babies defecient in certain nutrients. She said she will have to dig it up for me to look at.

She is used to vegetarian moms but is a bit worried about the vegan diet when it comes to prenatal care and this being my 5th pregnancy. Im guessing she is concerned about my health and becoming defecient as well after so many pregnancies.

[Erin Pavlina]

Ah, just remember that articles are never written on how well vegan moms are doing, the only time something is reported is when one mom messes up and doesn't give her kids adequate nutrition.

So for every 100,000 moms doing it right, we'll read one story in the paper of a mom doing it wrong. Just somethign to consider.

I don't think a prenatal will hurt though so it's not a big deal.

[vegma]

Solgar has a prenatal that's in the $10 range, I think. Plus they have one that you can take 4 times a day (for one dose), so you can take the full dose if you want, or a half dose, or however much you feel you need to supplement. Just a thought. I've only been vegan a little over 2 years and I'm nursing a 3 1/2 yo, so I like the added insurance. Even though I cook all our meals and we never eat out, I still feel like we're lacking in veggies!!

[capersmama]

Solgar? Do they come in veggie caps? or still in the gel caps? $10 eh?? I like that waaaay better than the range of $30-59.

My dh amazed the local veggie store manager when he showed him that the prenatal vits that they assumed were vegan..were actually capsulated by gelatin.

[HoneyNBen]

I know this is about being vegan and all, but....I've got to hear about your homebirth! I'm going to be a midwife, but I don't want to be a CNM. I want to be a laymidwife. And, I can't find anyone to study under! Anyways, I'd love to hear any and every detail you'd care to share. I love birthing stories! That's awesome your children were there! Our son was there too. He unfortunantly had to leave the room a few minutes before she was born. NICU had to come in due to miconium and oh dear! No midwife yet! They're saying don't push! Yesh! How does one reverse the birthing process?!? I tell you what!! So he didn't get to see her born. He was 17 months old. He looked so proud holding her! Called her is sissy and said Mine! :) Luckily Rhea was a-ok! Nothing wrong just a big scare to her honey on her way out! We later laughed and said we knew how she felt about the world! :)

Also, I know a TON of herbal things to help with pregnancy and birth and after. I'm sure your midwife does also, but give me a holler and I'll help if any preggers need anything!

[vegma]

Capersmama, the solgar prenatals come in tablets (some of their products come in veggie tabs - I don't remember which ones). In any case, they say "suitable for vegetarians". I've purchased them on-line (can't remember where), and once I managed to combine a $1.00 off coupon with a 25% off sale at Whole Foods:) Woo hoo!

[renee]

honeynben, i would be happy to talk to you about our homebirth experience sometime. it was wonderful but if i try to tell you about it now i could be writing for hours. maybe i will try to send you an e mail or pm some time. or maybe you should start a new thread.

[capersmama]

I agree..a new thread would be best. I love birth stories also! Homebirth stories are usually a hoot! The relaxed atmosphere usually lets the mom get away with doing so much more. I love hearing the stories!

[molly]

Did you check out the prenatal offerings at Vegan Essentials? (Don't forget Erin has arranged for us all to get a discount at that site!) I don't recall the specifics, but I know I wouldn't have ordered what I did if they were $30+ a bottle! They sell Freeda vitamins, all vegan (EVERYthing at the website is vegan).

[capersmama]

Vegan essentials?? would you happen to have a link? And how could we get the discount? HELP!!!!!! :-)
thanks!

[Erin Pavlina]

www.veganessentials.com and mention VegFamily at checkout to get 10% off yoru entire order.

[capersmama]

Thanks a bunch Erin! :D

[capersmama]

ok,
I went to vegan essentials..they seem to only accept credit card payments. I dont have credit cards. UUGGHH!

Any suggestions?

[Erin Pavlina]

Call them and ask if you can pay by check. I'm sure they'd be able to make arrangements.

[capersmama]

Thanks Erin!
I called..and if everyone at veg essentials is as nice as the person I spoke with...Im totally impressed! :-)

He said they accept check, money order or credit card. All that needs to be done is send order online and put in the comments area that you are sending check or MO...and they will hold the order.

The man couldnt talk but a sec as they were walking out as we spoke to go to an animal rights march :D AWESOME!

Thanks again Erin!

[HoneyNBen]

The man couldnt talk but a sec as they were walking out as we spoke to go to an animal rights march

You've gotta admit...that is really cool! Makes me want to buy some prenatals! ;)

[Erin Pavlina]

Yes, ALL the people at Vegan Essentials are extremely nice. I love them to death! So polite and responsive.

I'm glad it worked out.

[xconformist]

I have to disagree with what erin said. According to "Becoming Vegan" which is written by Brenda Davis, RD, and Vesanto Melina, MS, RD...it is NOT okay to only take single supplements.

"single nutritional supplements can be toxic to the developing baby and are generally best avoided unless medically indicated. There are 3 notable exceptions: calcium, vitamin b12, and essential fatty acids (specifically DHA)."

On another note i just bought some 1 a day VEGAN prenatal vitamins from www.veganessentials.com for $12.95 a bottle. There are only 100 pill/bottle...and shipping is a flat rate of $5.95, so i recommend buying more than one bottle so you don't have to pay that shipping again! (that's what i did anyway!)

Good luck!

[xconformist]

Blah...i'm such a dork, lol.

I didn't even read the second page otherwise i would've realised that you guys already mentions veganessentials!

Oh! Wish i would've known to mention you for the 10% off! Oh well, next time, i suppose?

[VOW]

In my opinion, every woman in her childbearing years should take a daily dose of 400 mcg of Folic Acid.

Before a woman will even know she is pregnant, the developing embryo is forming the neural tube structure. This structure becomes the eventual brain and spinal column. Many studies have shown that a deficiency of folic acid in the mother will prevent the neural tube from forming correctly, and can result in devastating birth defects.

By the time you've taken a home pregnancy test, the presence or absence of folic acid will have already had an effect.

This is one of the EASIEST birth defects to prevent.

Folic acid is one of the B-vitamins, and is water-based. You cannot store the vitamin in any quantity in your body. There are no reserves of it to protect the developing baby.

Folic acid is a very cheap and simple way to do the best for the future of your children.



~VOW