I want to preface this with of course being pregnant one should be taking their prenatal vitamins with methylated folate (not folic acid), EPA and DHA and getting enough iron and choline.

I will do a separate post on foods and more!

Having taken most of the 5 I’m stating for years before conceiving, it’s in my opinion that these I’ve listed are less known yet vital to building blocks for baby and mama’s health and well being.

𝐈𝐎𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐄- There are many ways to get Iodine, some of the major ways are seaweed, fish, dairy, eggs, chicken and more. I take a supplement daily which helps with my energy as well. Ingesting Iodine before and during pregnancy is associated with higher IQ and health for baby.

𝐑𝐄𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐈- A mushroom that is beneficial for the immune system and energy levels, in Taoism and TCM they are one of the most beneficial mushrooms to take and there is a term “Reishi Babies” for the calm and centered babies whose mama’s took Reishi while pregnant. Can be taken many ways including as a tea.

𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐍- A building block for mama and baby, building skin, bones and cartilage along with placenta building and full of vitamins. There are many ways to get collagen, from Marine collagen, to collagen peptides to Bone Broth (I make mine homemade but you can buy at the store too!)

𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐁𝐈𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐒- Mama’s microbiome has a direct relationship with baby’s microbiome which is formed in utero. The microbiome is the gut health and determines baby’s mood, health and more! So give that baby and yourself all the good bugs you can. There are many sources of probiotics, I love raw milk kefir and sauerkraut, along with taking a supplement and drinking probiotic rich drinks.

𝐂𝐎𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐔𝐓 𝐎𝐈𝐋 & 𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐒- I add virgin coconut oil to my coffee or tea daily and notice an increase in energy. It helps combat morning sickness and is good for the skin and so much more! Avocados have a similar effect and eating 1/2- 1 a day feels nourishing to the body and baby.

Hope these help!!

xo,

Nicole