Supplements I’m taking to prepare for pregnancy

As a Registered Dietitian, I was always taught a “food first” approach and that supplementation is an “add-on” to an already healthy diet. While I still believe in that, I definitely think taking certain supplements before, during, and after pregnancy, a time when demands on the body are much higher than any other time in a woman’s life, is important to increase the chances of conceiving and having a healthy pregnancy and easier recovery postpartum.

This is what I’m taking to prepare for pregnancy:

Prenatal: Seeking Health Optimal Prenatal

DHA: FullWell Fish Oil (taken if I don’t eat ~12 oz. of seafood per week)

Solgar Gentle Iron 25 mg (a better tolerated form of iron that I take as needed)

Vitamin D (also taken as needed since my prenatal has a good amount of vitamin D already)

Extras that may also be helpful:

• Choline: The RDA (recommended amount) of choline during pregnancy is 450 mg but consuming more such as up to 930 mg may be beneficial. Most women don’t meet the RDA. Most of the choline in my diet I would say comes from eggs with one egg having about 147 mg of choline but even with consuming eggs, I sometimes feel like I fall short. My prenatal does have some choline so I don’t take an additional supplement at this time but it’s helpful to have just in case because of choline’s important role during pregnancy. If your diet is low in choline and your prenatal doesn’t have any, you may want to take a separate supplement).

• Jarro-Dophilus Prenatal (if your diet isn’t high in probiotic-rich foods. Our body is made of more probiotics than human cells. There is research showing they can help prevent some pregnancy complications)

• Coenzyme Q10: 200-600 mg. I like the Needed one.

Disclaimer: Please check with your doctor before starting any new supplement.