Staying healthy while you are pregnant is much more important than most people seem to think, but it can also be a lot easier than we tend to believe it to be. I’ve seen women on both sides of the spectrum whether they strongly believe eating for two literally means eating two meals, or those that over-obsess and actually make themselves sick over their incessant obsession to worry about everything that they are eating, drinking, and level of activity. 

One of the things that I do not take for granted while pregnant is my nutrition. While I love to splurge, or tend to under eat any other time in my life, I know how vital proper nutrition is during pregnancy.

Even though I do my best to include the necessary vitamins and nutrients into each meal that I consume, I am sure there is plenty that I am forgetting each day!  I don’t know about you, but I seem to get very forgetful during pregnancy. Earlier today I forgot to take my food out of the microwave one it was done cooking! I didn’t realize the food had been sitting and waiting for me until 1-hour later!

Pregnancy memory means that I am likely forgetting to give myself the proper levels of iron, calcium, and vitamins A through E! That is precisely why I make such a big deal in our home and ask my husband to remind me every single day to take my prenatal vitamins! 

I learned a lot of lessons during my first pregnancy that I am doing very differently this time around. For instance, I discovered that ‘eating for two’ does not mean that I have to eat two full plates for dinner. However, I do need to pay attention to which types of foods I am ingesting and prepare nutritious and balanced meals. I also learned that 75% of the weight that I will gain throughout my pregnancy will be my problem later. I will need to drop the weight on my own. It will not peel off through magical osmosis once I give birth; I will have to put in 2-3 years of diet and exercise before I drop the baby weight that I will gain thanks to carb overload. 

I recently received BrainStrong Prenatal Vitamins with DHA and decided to incorporate them into my daily regimen. The over-the-counter vitamins that I picked up when I first discovered I was pregnant caused a lot of nausea that made it very difficult to function! I want a prenatal vitamin that will boost my energy, supply the proper nutrients for my baby, but also provide very little obvious signs of intake. I don’t need a daily reminder that I took my prenatal through nausea throughout the day! 

BrainStrong Prenatal is a complete prenatal multivitamin and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) supplement that provides important nutrients for growing babies. BrainStrong Prenatal is for expectant and new moms and contains 350mg of algae-sourced life’sDHA, which helps a baby’s brain, eyes and nervous system develop.

While pregnant with my son, I remember several of my friends and family members confused over why my obstetrician had prescribed prenatal vitamins with an additional pill containing DHA. They had never hear of DHA and some actually thought it would be a danger to my unborn child! Since I wasn’t all too familiar with DHA, I decided to do a little research so that I could educate those that seemed to be confused and concerned over my obstetricians recommendations: 

DHA is a polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid found throughout the body that serves as a major structural and functional fat in the brain. Just like we need calcium for strong bones, we need DHA for cells in the brain and other parts of the nervous system to function properly. Because our bodies and diet alone do not efficiently produce all the DHA we need, supplements are important for everyone. Approximately 70% of energy supplied during fetal development is devoted to the brain and DHA deficiencies in the mother can affect the baby’s brain development. 

One of my most appealing selling points for BrainStrong Prenatal is that fact that their vitamins contain up to 75% more DHA than other leading over-the-counter prenatal vitamins. The DHA in BrainStrong Prenatal comes from a natural vegetarian source to ensure your body and baby receiving the benefits of DHA without the worry of ocean-borne pollutants and toxins potentially found in certain fish. 

BrainStrong Prenatal Key Messages:

CRITICAL:

Some 70% of energy supply during fetal development is devoted to brain development during pregnancy

Baby depends on the mother for its supply of DHA

DHA deficiencies in the mother can impact brain development in the fetus

Because of the critical need for DHA during a woman’s pregnancy most OB/GYNs urge expectant moms to take a multivitamin that includes adequate levels of DHA

COMPLETE:

BrainStrong is a complete prenatal multi vitamin with the highest level of folic acid and DHA available without prescription

Up to 75% more DHA than other leading over-the-counter prenatal vitamins   

VALUE:

Costs less than most copays

ASSURANCE:

Provides assurance that expectant moms are doing everything to support a healthy pregnancy and baby

From a vegetarian source, not fish, so no fear of potential contaminants

 Dietary Ingredients:

- DHA Softgel: DHA (350mg)

- Multivitamin Tablet: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, Vitamin E, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Biotin, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium, Iron, Phosphorus, Iodine, Magnesium, Zinc, Copper, Chromium

Suggested Use:

- One multivitamin and one DHA softgel per day.

BrainStrong Prenatal is available at CVS, Rite-Aid, Walgreens, Walmart, Target, drug stores and food stores. Pick up a box of 30 DHA softgels and 30 multivitamin tables for a suggested retail price of $19.99! 

 Be sure to keep an eye out for other BrainStrong Products available at your local retailers, too!  BrainStrong has a product for every stage of life with BrainStrong Toddler, BrainStrong Kids, and BrainStrong Adult!