This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Pure Encapsulations

Today, I wanted to share with you my prenatal care routine! I want to primarily talk about what I am focusing on to keep both my body and baby healthy during my pregnancy; talking all things supplements and vitamins as well as my self-care routine. Before we dive in, I want to make it clear that you should always consult with your doctor before trying anything new, especially when you are pregnant. Everything I am sharing with you today, has been approved as safe, by my OBGYN for me to take while I am pregnant! 

As I write this blog post, I am currently halfway through my pregnancy. I feel extremely relieved to be in the second trimester as the first was challenging for me. My typical routine pre-pregnancy no longer existed, I was constantly exhausted, I had little control over my body, exercising was sporadic, and it was extremely difficult to eat foods that I once loved and my body needed- protein, fruits, vegetables, & enough fiber- my body was rejecting them! Which, is why it is extremely important to make sure you are taking your vitamins/supplements, especially your prenatal vitamin. If you are not getting enough nutrients yourself because of food aversions or things such as morning sickness, taking your prenatal vitamin will ensure that the baby is getting the nutrients that they need in order to continue to develop throughout the pregnancy.  However, it is important to maintain a healthy diet throughout your pregnancy because prenatal vitamins are meant to supplement an already-healthy diet. Some days were harder than others to find that balance with fresh vegetables, complex carbohydrates, variety of fruits, and lean proteins, but knowing that I was taking my prenatal vitamin to help cover these nutritional gaps, every single morning made me feel better. 

The supplements that I am currently taking during my pregnancy are from Pure Encapsulations. I trust this brand tremendously and used many of their other products, pre-pregnancy and continued to do so during! I love that theymanufacture a line of hypoallergenic, research-based dietary supplements. While taking a few of their products, I have experienced such personal positive results in my overall health. You may remember that I dedicated a blog postin how their l-glutamine powder transformed my gut health for the better, as well as partnering with them to learn more about my geneticsand which vitamins my body was most deficit in and how a few of their supplements would benefit my body the most. 

SO, which ones have I added into my routine now that I am pregnant: 

PreNatal Nutrients: The PreNatal Nutrients by Pure Encapsulations are gluten free, vegetarian, Non-GMO, and hypoallergenic. Women who are of child-bearing age (but not pregnant), pregnant women, and those who are lactating, are all allowed to take prenatal vitamins! Essentially, Prenatal vitamins are multivitamins that include a variety of vitamins and minerals. They help provide the critical components necessary to nourish a pregnant woman’s body and support the development of her growing baby. What’s cool about PreNatal Nutrients is that it provides essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients based on all of the latest scientific recommendations for pregnant and breastfeeding mamas. PreNatal Nutrients includes 1 mg of folate (as folic acid and Metafolin 5-MTHF, the naturally occurring, universally metabolized form of folate) which is crucial for healthy neural and cellular development of baby’s brain and spinal cord, helping to prevent neural tube defects. It also includes iron (helps blood in both mother + baby, carry oxygen), iodine, choline (to support fetal nervous system development) and increased vitamin D (based on revised Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) requirements for pregnancy), plus many other essential nutrients and vitamins needed to support the health of you and your baby. You should begin to take your prenatal vitamins immediately when you find out you’re pregnant or when you are trying to conceive as many of baby’s most dramatic changes and development occur during the first trimester of pregnancy! You should look for prenatal vitamins that contain folic acid, vitamin D, vitamin C, zinc, iron, iodine, choline, and thiamine- just to name a few. Pure Encapsulations PreNatal Nutrients covers all that and more! Prenatal vitamins may also help with those other pesky “annoyances” you may experience during pregnancy, such as low appetite, skin irritation, leg/muscle cramps, anemia, and immune health. Supplementing your diet with prenatal vitamins can promote a healthier pregnancy by supporting your own nutritional needs and providing an optimal environment for healthy fetal growth. 

Magnesium (citrate): I have been taking a magnesium supplement for the last 10 years or so prescribed by my primary care doctor and I take it every night about 1-2 hours before bed. The one that I currently take is also from Pure Encapsulations. I personally feel that it is a total game changer for me. Not only does it help with my digestion in keeping my system regular, but it helps with my sleep. As you all are aware, I struggle with IBS as well as gastroparesis- which in simple terms means that my stomach cannot empty itself in a normal way (very slow!).  When you are pregnant, your digestion can become slower than normal. This can leave you bloated, feeling full quickly yet still hungry, and challenging to stay regular with your bowel movements. This can make for a very uncomfortable and long 9 months. A magnesium supplement can help support muscle relaxation (including those within the digestive track) and also plays a role in mood and calming allowing you to have more restful sleep and hopefully support for healthy digestion!  Magnesium also plays a role in blood circulation and neurotransmitter function. Pregnancy can be an isolating time, stressful, and your body goes through a tremendous amount of change. Therefore, it is important to make sure you are supporting your mental health too! Even if you think you are eating a healthy diet full of variety, you still may be deficient and by adding in a magnesium supplement you will be able to help support your own health during your pregnancy. Taking care of yourself is just as important! In my first trimester, I suffered from migraines daily that left me completely debilitated, nauseous, and in terrible pain. It made for very challenging days. I wasn’t able to sleep, keep up with my exercise routine, or make proper food choices. By simply, adding in and continuing to make the Pure Encapsulations magnesium supplement part of my routine, I was able to help support my body and optimize my health. 

Digestive Enzymes Ultra: Before every single meal, I take a digestive enzyme from Pure Encapsulations. As I mentioned previously, as you move through your pregnancy, your digestion can begin to slow. Digestive enzymes, help break down the foods we eat, so that it is easier for our digestive system to absorb and deliver important nutrients to the body. Because digestive enzymes help the body in breaking down difficult to digest protein, fats, carbs and fiber, this can also help relieve occasional bloating and gas (which can develop during pregnancy). I have noticed that when I take a digestive enzyme before every main meal, my body is better able to break down foods, I’m more regular and I have less bloating after larger meals. Therefore, I know my body is absorbing more of the nutrients that I am eating and in turn helping the growth and development of the baby! 

Besides adding the supplements listed above, there are many other ways that I continue to take care of myself throughout my pregnancy. One thing that I have learned is to have patience and be flexible. There are days in which you may feel extremely exhausted, overwhelmed, and sick, and others where you feel extremely motivated, happy, and confident about yourself. One thing, is to really listen to what your body needs and honor that. It is a very special time in your life and important to slow down, take care of your needs, while trying your best to keep up with a routine. I love taking warm Epsom salt baths in the evenings to help relax my body, help achy joints, calm my mind, and improve my sleep. Practicing a modified yoga class a few times a week helps alleviate back pain, anxiety, and love that it is gentle movement that is healthy for the baby and myself. Getting enough fresh air daily is great for my mental health and as the weather continues to become warmer, I take plenty of walking breaks each day outside! I continue to eat a variety of foods such as lean proteins, fruits, vegetables and occasionally a few treats mixed in! Asking for help from friends and family and maintaining a social life as best as you can is also very important and beneficial. I love meeting friends for yoga classes or morning breakfast dates as in the evenings I am more tired and a bit more uncomfortable. I also focus on getting enough sleep, whether it is going to bed a bit earlier or taking a nap during the day to catch up on any sleep I may have missed the night before. When I sleep well, eat a diet full of nutrients, drink plenty of water, and exercise a few times a week, as well as take my vitamins/supplements daily from Pure Encapsulations, I feel more like myself each day! Doing all of these things, makes me feel more confident about my pregnancy knowing that not only am I taking care of myself in order to have a healthy pregnancy and birth, but I am taking care of the growing baby!

‡These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.