Recommended Herbs/Supplements for Pregnancy PDF Print E-mail
While an excellent diet is the best choice to nourish your body and your baby while pregnant, there are some additions that would be beneficial for most women.   Start these prior to conception, or as soon as you suspect pregnancy:

  • Whole foods prenatal vitamin:  A good quality, whole foods PNV will serve several purposes.  It will provide folic acid necessary to help prevent neural tube defects in your baby.  It will supply a whole foods iron source, which will help prevent anemia without the constipating effects of unnatural ferrous sulfate.  It will also provide a multitude of trace minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, etc.  
Some favorite brands are:  New Chapter, Source of Life, Rainbow.  But any over-the-counter PNV that says “whole food source” should meet these needs.  Check with your midwife if in any doubt. Some women experience nausea in early pregnancy with PNV.  This is much less with the whole foods type, but can still occur.  Take it during your least nauseated times of the day, typically in the evening just before bed.

  • Vitamin C 1000 mg daily:  This helps build a strong amniotic sac.  It also has immune boosting properties.  

If taking as a tablet, try to find one with bioflavinoids.  You can take the 1000mg at one time, or two 500 mg capsules, one in the morning and one at night. A favorite source is Emergen-C drink packets.  It is a fizzy, mix-in to your favorite beverage, and comes in multiple flavors.  Wal-mart sells them for the best price in town.

 

  • Probiotics:  Immune-boosting supplement for the gut that benefits the entire body.  Helps prevent GBS colonization (more on this later).  Be sure to buy a quality one from a refrigerated source; a favorite is Udo’s Choice.
Start these after 12 weeks of pregnancy (3 months):
  • Red Raspberry leaf tea:  A nourishing tea that is a well-known uterine tonic.  Increases blood flow to the uterus to grow a healthy baby.  Supplies some nutrients as well.  Can enjoy hot or cold, 1 glass a day until 34 weeks, then can enjoy as much as you’d like, up to a quart a day.  If you notice increased uterine activity with any warning signs provided by your midwife, call her immediately and stop the tea.  Avoid if you have a history of preterm labor.
  • Nettles:  A super-nourishing tea that provides many vitamins and minerals, including calcium.  Drink as much as you’d like.

Start these after 34 weeks of pregnancy:
  • Alfalfa tablets:  Nourish the blood to provide clotting factors.  These will do  help prevent any abnormal postpartum bleeding.  These also act as a precursor to Vitamin K,  for which babies are naturally deficient.  Start with 3 in the morning and 3 at night, and gradually work up to 6 in the morning and six at night.  Softer, darker stools are a very common side effect.  Loose stools indicate the need to back down by a tablet or two.

Optional:  
  • Evening Primrose Oil after 36 weeks:  Contains prostaglandins to help soften your cervix, getting it ready to labor.  However, Mother Nature designed your body perfectly for this great task, so this is most definitely optional.
  • Garlic tablets:  Also immune boosting, especially if GBS is of concern to you.
  • Vitamin E:  400 I.U. daily can help build a strong placental bed.  STOP TAKING AT 34 WEEKS TO HELP PREVENT A RETAINED PLACENTA!
 
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