Prenatal Supplements
I wanted to share some thoughts on prenatal supplements because there’s just so much information out there! It can feel a bit overwhelming with all the options. If you’re not sure what to look for, you might end up spending a lot of money without getting exactly what your body needs. Choosing the right prenatal supplement for you is really important.
I remember when I first went to the chemist—I had no idea what I needed. There were so many different products, and trying to figure out the labels was a challenge. Feeling overwhelmed and not knowing what to get, I ended up just picking up some folic acid and nothing else.
After that not-so-great shopping experience, I decided to do some research. I turned to my favourite podcasts and stumbled upon a great episode of The Kick Pregnancy Podcast featuring Dr Pat and Brigid interviewing dietitian Stef Valakas. Stef shared so much helpful information about prenatal supplements and how to ensure you get all the important nutrients during pregnancy. It turns out many of those prenatal supplements on the market don’t quite cut the mustard! So if you’re in the same boat, with limited knowledge on the supplement front, I highly recommend listening to this episode. It’s packed with useful info.
Afterwards, I thought it would be a good idea to get some personalised expert advice. I booked an online consultation with Stef at The Dietologist. They offer a variety of services, but since I’m on a budget, I just went with the Virtual Express Prenatal Supplement Consult for $130. It’s not covered by Medicare. However, I figured it was worth it to get some solid guidance on what prenatal supplements to take.
Before the appointment, they asked me to get a blood test to see if I had any vitamin deficiencies. I tried to get that done beforehand, but things didn’t work out as planned – that’s another story. If you can, I definitely recommend having your blood work ready. It’ll help you get the most out of your consultation on prenatal supplements.
During my appointment with Stef, she was fantastic! We chatted about my medical history, the supplements I’m currently using, my family health history, and what my current diet looks like. She walked me through different supplement options using their database of reviewed brands. I even learned about vitamins that support egg health, which was super helpful since I’m preparing to have my eggs collected.
After our session, she sent me a one-page summary via email with the recommended brands and dosages. In the end, I decided to get the Ovitae preconception and pregnancy supplement (the prenatal). I also chose NR Supreme and Super Strength CoQ10 for my egg health. The great thing is that with Ovitae, you can set up a subscription for $54.21 every two months. This is pretty budget-friendly!
I’ve included links to the podcast episode and The Dietologist’s website in case you want to explore their services. Trust me, it’s worth checking out, especially the supplement consultation (just so you are aware, I don’t get any kickbacks for recommending their services. This is just information I’m sharing, which I hope will be helpful).
Podcast: Nutrients in Pre-pregnancy with Stef Valakas (The Dietologist) Part 1
Podcast: How to get the nutrients you need in pregnancy with Stef Valakas (The Dietologist) Part 2
Link to The Dietologist webpage: Click here
If you haven’t already, have a read of my post on Donor Selection and IVF Process
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