During pregnancy, your body undergoes a lot of changes and your nutrient needs can vary depending on the trimester. For example, during the first trimester, your baby's neural tube is forming and this is a critical time for folic acid intake. In fact, experts recommend that women take 800 micrograms of folic acid daily during the first trimester to help prevent birth defects. A prenatal vitamin specific to the first trimester will typically contain higher amounts of folic acid than a one-size-fits-all prenatal vitamin.
Moving into the second trimester, your baby's bones and teeth are developing, which means that you need more calcium and vitamin D. A prenatal vitamin specific to the second trimester will contain higher amounts of these nutrients compared to a one-size-fits-all prenatal vitamin. Additionally, second trimester prenatal vitamins will typically contain more iron than first trimester vitamins to support the increased blood volume that occurs during pregnancy.
During the third trimester, a woman's body undergoes significant changes to support the growing baby. Trimester-specific prenatal vitamins cater to these changes by providing the necessary nutrients such as iodine, vitamin K, and chromium. Iodine is important for fetal brain development and thyroid function, while vitamin K supports healthy blood clotting. Chromium helps to regulate blood sugar levels and support healthy metabolism.
One of the benefits of taking a trimester-specific prenatal vitamin is that you can be sure you are getting the right nutrients at the right time. Additionally, taking a prenatal vitamin specific to each trimester can help reduce the risk of nutrient imbalances, which can lead to complications such as pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes.
In conclusion, taking a one-size-fits-all prenatal vitamin may not be enough to support your changing nutrient needs during pregnancy. By choosing a prenatal vitamin specific to each trimester, you can be sure that you are getting the right nutrients at the right time to support the growth and development of your baby. Consult with your healthcare provider to determine which prenatal vitamin is best for you and your baby.
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Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate that is commonly found in many prenatal vitamins. While folic acid is beneficial in preventing neural tube defects, it needs to be converted to its active form, methylfolate, before it can be used by the body. This conversion process is a complex process that requires enzymes in the liver. Unfortunately, not everyone's liver is able to efficiently convert folic acid to methylfolate, which can lead to a folate deficiency.
Methylated folate, on the other hand, is the active form of folate that the body can readily use. It does not require any conversion and is immediately available for the body to use. This is especially important for pregnant women who may have difficulty converting folic acid to its active form due to genetic factors or other health conditions.
Prenatal Ease prenatal vitamins contain the active form of folate, methylated folate, which provides many benefits. One benefit is that it can help reduce the risk of neural tube defects in the developing fetus. Methylated folate has also been shown to help support healthy brain and cognitive development in the baby.
In addition to these benefits, methylated folate may also provide benefits for the mother. Studies have shown that methylated folate can help support healthy mood and reduce the risk of postpartum depression. This is important for new moms who may be experiencing a range of emotions and need additional support.
Another important benefit of Prenatal Ease prenatal vitamins is that they contain other essential nutrients that are crucial for a healthy pregnancy. These vitamins and minerals include iron, calcium, vitamin D, and iodine. Iron is essential for healthy red blood cell production and can help prevent anemia during pregnancy. Calcium and vitamin D are important for strong bones and teeth, while iodine is necessary for healthy thyroid function and brain development in the baby.
In summary, choosing a prenatal vitamin with methylated folate is a wise choice for pregnant women. Prenatal Ease prenatal vitamins provide many benefits over folic acid, including better absorption and utilization by the body, reduced risk of neural tube defects, and support for healthy brain development in the baby. They also contain other essential vitamins and minerals that are crucial for a healthy pregnancy. By choosing a prenatal vitamin with methylated folate, you can rest assured that you are giving yourself and your baby the best possible start.
]]>Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it's also a time when your body needs extra support to ensure that both you and your baby are healthy. That's where prenatal vitamins come in - they provide essential nutrients that may be lacking in your diet. In this guide, we'll take a closer look at Prenatal Ease's prenatal vitamins and the specific nutrients they offer for each trimester of pregnancy.
First Trimester: Alleviate Morning Sickness with Premium Ginger and Less Iron
During the first trimester, your body is going through a lot of changes, and morning sickness is common. Prenatal Ease's Stage 1 prenatal vitamins contain premium ginger extract, which has been shown to help alleviate nausea and vomiting in pregnant women. These vitamins also contain methylated folate, which is the most bioavailable form of folate and essential for fetal brain and spine development. Additionally, it contains lower levels of iron compared to other prenatal vitamins to help minimize constipation and morning sickness.
Second Trimester: Higher Iron Content and Better Absorbing Beta-Carotene
As your baby grows, your body requires more nutrients, especially iron. Prenatal Ease's Stage 2 prenatal vitamins contain 27mg of iron to support your body's increased demand. They also contain beta-carotene, a plant-based source of vitamin A that's safer than the retinol form of vitamin A, which can be toxic in large amounts. The retinol form is commonly found in other prenatal brands. Beta-carotene is essential for fetal growth and development.
Third Trimester: Iodine, Vitamin K, and Chromium for a Healthy Mom and Baby
In the third trimester, your baby's brain and organs are rapidly developing, and you need to ensure you're getting enough iodine. Prenatal Ease's Stage 3 prenatal vitamins contain 230mcg of iodine to support healthy brain development and prevent cognitive impairment. These vitamins also contain 50mcg of vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting and bone health. Lastly, they contain 90mcg of chromium, which supports glucose metabolism and reduces the risk of gestational diabetes, a common pregnancy complication.
In addition to the specific prenatal vitamins for each trimester, Prenatal Ease also offers Omega-3 DHA. It contains the all-important Omega 3 fatty acids, which are important for fetal brain and eye development. Omega-3s are also beneficial for moms, as they can reduce inflammation and the risk of preterm labor. Omega-3 DHA can be taken at any stage of pregnancy and contains high-quality fish oil that has been molecularly distilled to remove toxins and impurities such as PCBs, heavy metals and dioxins.
In conclusion, prenatal vitamins are an essential part of a healthy pregnancy, and Prenatal Ease's products offer targeted support for each trimester's specific needs. Whether you're looking for relief from morning sickness, a healthy pregnancy, or support for fetal brain development, Prenatal Ease has you covered.
]]>Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. Your body is unable to produce enough insulin to handle the changing hormones and the effects of a growing baby. Insulin plays a key role in controlling the level of glucose in your blood. Without enough insulin, your blood glucose levels will rise. Gestational diabetes tends to be more common in the third trimester.
Who has a higher risk of getting gestational diabetes?
You are more likely to have gestational diabetes if you have a family history of type 2 diabetes, are overweight (high BMI), previously had gestational diabetes, personal history of polycycstic ovary syndrome, or if you are 35 years or older.
How is it tested?
It is generally recommended for women to be screened at 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy through an oral glucose tolerance test. This test involves fasting for about 8 – 12 hours, then ingesting a glucose solution within a few minutes. Blood samples are drawn before and 1-2 hours after taking the glucose solution. The glucose levels in your blood are then tested which helps give an indication if your body can produce sufficient insulin.
For those with a high risk of gestational diabetes, your doctor may ask you to conduct a test in an earlier stage of pregnancy.
What does this mean for my baby?
If left untreated, it can increase the risk of the following conditions:
However, don’t worry as gestational diabetes can be properly managed and you can expect to have a healthy baby!
How to manage gestational diabetes?
The new guidelines are published in the SOGC’s peer-reviewed Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada (JOGC) and is titled, “The Management of Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy”.
The new guidelines have 13 recommendations that cover diet and lifestyle changes, non-pharmacological therapies and pharmacological therapies to help with nausea and vomitting during pregnancy, which can affect up to 80% of women. Some of the recommendations are listed below.
Prenatal Vitamins
One of the key recommendations for women suffering from morning sickness and who don't have iron deficiency is that they can stop taking iron-containing prenatal vitamins. They can instead substitute it for a lower dose iron prenatal during the 1st trimester. Iron requirements increase during the 2nd and 3rd trimester, but not so much during the 1st trimester. The new guidelines also suggest that vitmain B6 (Pyridoxine) can help allieviate morning sickness.
Did you know that Prenatal Ease Stage 1 is specially formulated for women in their 1st trimester? It contains lower levels of iron compared to Prenatal Ease Stage 2 and Stage 3. This helps to alleviate morning sickness and constipation that are both common during the 1st trimester. Our Prenatal Ease Stage 1 is recognized by The SOGC.
Dietary and Lifestyle Changes
Another great recommendation is that women can eat whatever pregnancy-safe food that appeals to them! There is no evidence that specific dietary changes, like eating bland foods, avoiding fatty foods or cold drinks, can allievate morning sickness. Feel free to eat whatever you feel helps you mimimize morning sickness.
Ginger
Another key recommendation is that ginger is a great way to help allieviate morning sickness. Ginger is a safe option with minimal side effects for women suffering from morning sickness. Also, since ginger is unregulated in foods, it may have different composition or purity depending on the preparation. Look for pharmaceutical-grade ginger like the type you find in Prenatal Ease Stage 1.
With these new recommendations, hopefully many more women will find relief for morning sickness. For the full recommendations, please click here.
]]>Similar recommendations include taking the prescription drug, Diclectin (or Diclegis in the US), for morning sickness. It’s a very popular medication for morning sickness and has been prescribed to 33 million women worldwide. It’s the only drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of morning sickness. However, a recent investigation from the University of Toronto suggest that the drug may actually not be that effective. A group of researchers reanalyzed a pivotal study and found that the difference between placebo and the treatment group was actually not as big as they expected. Another disadvantage of Diclectin is that many women suffer from side effects such as drowsiness.
Both professional bodies suggest that ginger and Vitamin B6 are safe and effective alternative treatments for morning sickness. Ginger and Vitamin B6 are safe options with minimal side effects. Prenatal Ease Stage 1 contains both ginger and vitamin B6, as up to 90% of women suffer from morning sickness during pregnancy.
There are some differences between the guidelines. The ACOG recommends that treating morning sickness as soon as possible is important. Letting it progress untreated can lead to a more severe form of morning sickness known as, hyperemesis gravidarum. When that happens, it requires hospitalization. Taking something like Prenatal Ease Stage 1 can prevent morning sickness from progressing or getting worse.
ACOG also recommends that women to take prenatal vitamins for 1 month before fertilization, as it may decrease the incidence and severity of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. The updated guidelines further support the importance of taking prenatal vitamins as soon as you start planning on getting pregnant. Taking prenatal vitamins early, such as Prenatal Ease Preconception, can help prevent severe morning sickness as well as help ensure your baby is getting all the essential folic acid for proper spinal development. Folic acid is especially important during the first couple of weeks as that’s when the baby’s brain and spine are developing.
These updated clinical guidelines demonstrate that prenatal vitamins, like Prenatal Ease, are not only important for their nutritional value, but it can also help alleviate morning sickness.
]]>Things for the mother
Things for the baby
Preeclampsia is a condition that occurs only during pregnancy where your blood pressure is higher than normal (higher than 140/90) and you have protein in your urine. It typically happens after the 20th week of pregnancy and can develop suddenly.
It can affect up to 8% of pregnancies in North America. If left untreated, it can lead to eclampsia, where seizures can occur and can be fatal.
No one knows what causes preeclampsia, but there are some risk factors that can increase your risk.
The only way to cure preeclampsia is to deliver your baby. If you are around 36 weeks or more and you have preeclampsia, your doctor may want to induce labour to prevent it from getting worse. However, if your baby is not close to term, the treatment goal will be to help you manage your symptoms until your baby is delivered.
If you have mild case of preeclampsia, your doctor may recommend plenty of bed rest with you lying on your left side, so that the weight of the baby doesn’t press against important blood vessels. Your doctor may also recommend that you take certain blood pressure medications and undergo monitoring.
There are studies that show certain vitamins and minerals may help prevent preeclampsia. Some of the more important vitamins include Vitamin D, folic acid, Vitamin B6, C and E. Many of these vitamins and minerals are found in prenatal supplements, like Prenatal Ease. Studies also show that Omega 3 fatty acids can help lower the risk of preeclampsia, possibly by producing more beneficial prostaglandins. It’s another great reason to continue taking Omega 3 fatty acids! Just remember to look for high quality Omega 3 fatty acids, like Prenatal Ease Omega-3 DHA, as some fish oil products maybe sourced from fish that are contaminated with heavy metals, PCBs or other toxins.
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