The Search for the Perfect Pre-Natal

 So, I am planning on TTC later in this very year. I've been on a search for something "perfect" for a while. In my attempts, I've gathered a lot of information that I want to share, where It's all in one place and not influenced by "my top pick" money. I've been discouraged, and disappointed in this adventure. Prices wildly swinging from affordable to "who the hell can afford these?". I will try my best to categorize these the best I can. And I will try to update every few months with more prenatals. For now I will itemize the ones I have looked into.

But, first I want to talk about the importance of each vitamin and mineral. Why it's even important to try to get what you can out of a prenatal, especially if you are neurodiverse in any way. Specifically autistic or adhd, because we all know we dont remember to eat or have food sensitivities that prevent us from getting all the nutrients we need. This is no way a post to exclude my neurotypical or neuro-cousins. Just written with them in mind.

 

price guide: $10-15      $$16-28     $$$ 29-35    $$$$36+

So here is the list of minerals and vitamins:

vitamin a 770mcg (better if derived from beta carotene or carotenoid)  

vitamin b6 1.9mg

vitamin b12 2.6mg

calcium 1,000 mg

choline 450mg

chromium 30mcg

copper 1,300 mcg

vitamin d 600IU(15mcg)

DHA 200mg

Folate DFE(vitamin B9) 600mcg(folic acid is ok but is artificial and doesn't readily digest as easily as folate)

Iodine 220mg

Iron 27mg

vitamin k 90mcg

Magnesium (better if taken topically because it absorbs better through the skin, you can take epsom salt soaks too!)

 zinc 11mg

Vitamin A- This vitamin is important for the baby's embryonic growth and development. It is also essential for after the birthing process, because it helps with post-partum tissue repair. But too much of it can cause liver toxicity. 

B6- This vitamin is vital for fetal brain development and nervous system. Aids baby's metabolism, and it also helps with morning sickness.

B12-  This is for the baby's brain function, spinal cord and healthy red blood cell production.  

Calcium- Baby needs it to build strong bones and teeth, heart, nerves and muscles. Also reduces the risk of mother developing high blood pressure and preeclampsia. If you don't get enough you will draw it from your own bones and teeth. YIKES! 

Chromium- If you are diabetic, you likely know about this mineral. It helps the body break down carbs, protein and fats and aids insulin by helping to maintain a healthy blood sugar level. 

Choline- Protects against neural tube defects as well as brain/spinal defects

Copper- Essential for forming red blood cells. Help baby's heart and blood vessels, and muscular/skeletal systems. Also helps in healing and breaking down sugar. Plus it keeps your hair healthy. 

Vitamin D- For baby and you make or maintain healthy bones and  teeth. Deficiency can increase risk of newborns with abnormal bone growth, and rickets. This "hormone"  if deficient, may lead to Gestational Diabetes, preeclampsia, and preterm birth.

DHA(omega3)- According to healthline, DHA is important because the baby will need adequate levels of it to develop brain, eyes, and nervous system. It will also  prevent preterm labor, likelihood of healthy birth weight and help mothers mood during post partum.

Folate- Important to take as soon as possible, Folate or folic acid helps form the neural tube. it can help prevent some major birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine

Iodine- For brain, skeletal and nervous system development. Important in regulating your thyroid. Lack of it linked to preterm birth, miscarriage and still birth.

Iron- NEEDED for making hemoglobin. The protein in red blood cells that carry oxygen. Supports the increased blood volume in pregnancy and prevents pregnancy anemia.

Vitamin K- being deficient in this nutrient is VERY rare, so this isn't a nutrient to stress about if its not in your prenatal. But it is important because it helps the blood clot properly and prevents haemorrhage in mother and baby.

Magnesium- Needed for nerve and muscle function. Also helps maintain normal blood pressure. It helps the body build strong teeth and bones. If you are diabetic, you may be deficient in this mineral because high blood sugar. (It takes 28 molecules of magnesium to metabolize a single glucose molecule). Lack of sleep can also cause it because lacking sleep puts stress on the body and tells it to release cortisol. This is something that often happens to pregnant women known as pregnancy insomnia. Also low magnesium levels can be caused  by stressed. If you have a chronic health condition, the inflammation from it can cause and be exacerbated by lack of magnesium.

Selenium- Important mineral in regulating immune systems and thyroid. Protects body against free radicals. Also protects body against detrimental effects of heavy metals. ONLY TAKE RECOMMENDED DOSE. This mineral is stored in the liver and other organs so it can build up and cause toxicity in the body. Also appears to be more beneficial in the procreation mode because it prevents male infertility caused by poor semen quality. And prevents miscarriage and low birth rate.

Zinc- For the baby's cell growth and brain development. Supports your immune system.

NOTE: If you have a balanced diet already, you may not need to worry about having exact numbers on your prenatal. If  your diet is lacking incredibly. Talk to your doctor before supplementation. A lot of these minerals can be obtained from eating meat and fortified grocery items. Also eating a high protein diet seems to help in the increased blood volume. There seems to be a method to the madness when picking a prenatal. I found that most will be low in calcium, BUT, it may be because it may or may not interfere with iron and magnesium absorption. Not saying you shouldn't get any calcium, because it is important, but probably better to get your calcium up to 30minutes after your prenatal so it doesn't interfere with absorption of other minerals. Also I realize some prenatals may be "low" in some minerals to prevent having too much in your system. If your prenatal is low in iron it may be because most women stomachs cannot handle it in the first trimester well. You will be eating and getting minerals from food as well. 

I will add that if your prenatal doesn't have a morning sickness blend added to it. It's perfectly OK to drink ginger and peppermint teas. Also eat it. Take a probiotic to keep your system regular,  apparently pregnancy constipation caused from increased progesterone is a thing. So a probiotic will help, along with exercise and drinking lots of water. 

Now for the list of prenatals: 

Nature Made Prenatal multi + DHA$

cons-NO choline. Low on calcium as well. Also its a pretty large pill

pros- on pill a day. soft gel. contains things like iodine, zinc, vitamin k. also affordable and easy to find

Honest Co $$

cons-Low on choline, No DHA and low on calcium

pros- morning sickness blend and diegestion aid. No fillers.

Ritual $$$

Cons- Low on choline, moderate on iron

pros- vegan, delay release capsules, traceable ingredients

Pink Stork(pill) $$

cons- no choline, low calcium

pros- vegetarian. otherwise Aced the other mineral and vitamin content.

EU Natural $$$

cons-Low on vitamin C, half the dose of recommended DHA, also contains herbs like Myo-inositol. I emailed them and they said theres about 25mg of myo-inositol.

pro- buy a bottle and a bottle of vitamins goes to a child in need. Also 90day satisfaction guaranteed

Modern Fertility $$$
cons-Only has 100mg of choline, 18mg of iron, and 100mg of DHA
pros- low iron may be beneficial to women who don't tolerate it well they say. They send you a reusable glass bottle and monthly send a pouch to refill your glass bottle. vegetarian. Access to a community.

Forte Elements $$$
cons-Too much B12, 1/2 the recommended dose of choline. Also comes in individual wrappers. Each packag has 5 pills each.
pros-has a lil bit of everything. A bit pricey if on a budget.

Garden of Life $$$
cons-No calcium, choline, or DHA.
pros- Basically just a good multi-vitamin. Vegan

TheraNatal Complete  $$$$
cons-Low on choline, and calcium.
pros- impressed it had selenium, chromium, magnesium and zinc.

Smarty Pants Gummy $$
cons- have to eat 4 of them daily. Has sugar and sodium. Low on every vitamin and mineral because it is a gummie.

pros- gummie. -Good for folks who cant swallow a tablet

Perelel $$$$
cons-Expensive! Low on choline and iron. 

pros- has other essential nutrients and a nausea blend. Has different packs for each phase, such as, conception, trimesters 1-3, and post partum nursing.

INNATE response formula Baby and me $$$
pros-vegetarian. pretty good

cons- no DHA and very expensive. Have to take 2 tablets a day.

Mama Bird  $$$$

 
pros- -I like that it had a digestion aid, probiotics and ginger

cons- No DHA. Low af on calcium.

One a day women's prenatal advanced  $$

cons-  low on calcium and no choline. IMO the pill is huge.
pros- has all nutrients you need.

Thorne basic prenatal $$
cons-low on calcium, but high in iron!(may cause constipation) no DHA. Also 3 pills daily
pros- advertises as easy on the stomach, and as the only supplement company to collab with mayo clinic. uses well-absorbed iron bisglycinate to lessen iron’s constipating effect.*(so they say. might need to read reviews)

MegaFood baby and me $$
cons-NO DHA or cho. 2 pills daily
pro-formulated to be taken on an empty stomach because we all know morning sickness can be a big issue. They have a system of vitamins for before pregnancy, during and after.

Centrum prenatal + DHA $$
cons-low on calcium.

pros- easy to find in many stores

Feed Mom and me complete prenatal + DHA $$$

cons-  half recommended dose of vitamin A, low calcium and low choline.

pros- has a morning sickness blend of peppermint and ginger and agave.

Mary Ruth's Liquid prenatal and postnatal $$$

cons- low in nutrients honestly. NO iron or DHA. Low on calcium which is surprising considering theres no iron. has half the recommended dose for calcium, and low on choline

pros- vegan.  Good for folks who have a hard time swallowing pills and it is berry flavored. Ginger for morning sickness.

note: since this can be used as a multivitamin  for post natal, i suspect that is why so many mineral levels are low. They have a variety of other liquid supplements to add on with the pre and pro natal blend they  have, but that can get pricey. 

Mommy's Bliss $$

cons- No DHA, low in choline

pros- vegan, has a probiotic, high in vitamin A and C

Actif Organic Prenatal $$$$

pros- lemon/berry flavor, has morning sickness blend

cons- Low in choline and calcium

note: this brand also  has a line of post natals, probiotics, and prenatal gummies, so don't feel like you have to take a capsule. 

Nordic Naturals Prenatal DHA Omegas   $$$$

cons-this is not a prenatal

pro-but it has prenatal levels of the omega fats your pregnancy will need. strawberry flavored and promotes it doesnt give fish burps

The Kin Prenatal vitamin  $$$$

cons-pricey at $45 dollars. 2 capsules a day.Im going to have to do more research, but this product contains sulfites which im pretty sure you dont want. 

pros- bioavailable supplements used, so the body absorbs it better.

Resources used:

https://www.healthline.com/health/dha-and-pregnancy#our-picks

https://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy

https://www.t1dliving.com/magnesium-type-1-diabetes

https://www.whattoexpect.com

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/s0946672X14001345

https://www.feedmomandme.com

Disclaimer: This is  not a replacement  for seeing your OBGYN or Doctor. This is just a guide and place to get quick information on prenatals on the market.

 

Final Thoughts: If any of your want a prenatal listed that you have tried and loved, please leave a comment. The more help the merrier. We're all in this together. By no means can I list every single prenatal out the help. There so hundreds I'm sure. On that thought, I might make a list of vitamins to supplement your prenatal because unless you eat a lot of calcium rich, iron rich and nutrient dense foods, you're likely going to be missing something. Also post natal nutrient needs, need to be covered. Personally I will be seeing a dietician while I am pregnant because I am type 1 diabetic and I need all the help I can get.

Journey to finding myself

I am becoming more comfortable with the idea that I may have ASD. The calm that I feel is something I've never felt in my life. Finally something that feels like it fits. I'm in the process of getting a formal diagnosis via saving all my money.

I've been contacting autism society and organizations for about 2weeks. Cant seem to find anywhere that will do it at a lower cost to me, or for free. I'm going to assume I'll be paying 3k, if I dont thats good for me, if I do I'll be ready.  I'm really nervous about this. In fact i was rocking last night. I feel this is the right diagnosis.

Getting Diagnosed as an Adult with ASC

            Wow, my journey started 1 year and two months ago when I started reading that daredevil fanfiction. It wasn't tagged #autism, but daredevil seems to have a lot of SPD issues. The thing that mostly caught my eye was the character walking on his toes. I always walked on my toes from a very young age, I knew it was strange, but I personally didn't think anything of it. The author of this fanfiction gave a lot of resources she used in her story and I read them. I'm not sure when I got more into autism research and less into the story, but that's what happened. Suddenly I was fascinated. So many of these symptoms sounded like. Hating loud crowds, sounds. Unusual startle responses. Aversion to lights, rocking and weaving. The list could go on and on.
                 Then I got into the communicative portion of the research and I understood that I was autistic.I was reminded of my failures growing up. The bullying. The isolation. I was a social pariah. The only crowd of people I could make friends with were also people who were socially outcasted. The very first youtuber I started actively watching was Amethyst "Neurowonderful". Their videos were the key to everything. The reason I took this path at all. I suddenly knew what sensory overload was, and why at crowded restaurants i felt irritable and dizzy and tired.
                    
                       For a long time I didn't know what to do with this new found information. I asked some friends if they thought I might be on the spectrum and none of them thought so.  This was disheartening. I asked my sisters and they both agreed it was possible. My husband wasn't on my side. Most people I asked said only a professional could diagnose you, and me "self" diagnosing was problematic.  I never claimed to self diagnosed, but apparently even wondering if you might be autistic warrants the title of self diagnosed.

                     I read a book called nerdy, shy and socially inappropriate. That really confirmed how I felt. The deeper I got, the more annoyed my husband became. I discovered facebook groups and tumblr. I bought my very first fidget toys. I was on my way. It took me over a year to make my appointment because I wanted to find a place that took my insurance that also wasn't associated with autism speaks(which is hard is Texas). I also really hate to make phone calls, I forget often to make these phone calls, and I had a full-time job that didn't allow me to make phone calls on the clock. So yeah, it took me a year and 2 months to finally get to see someone. Eventually I did. I was so surprised they were versed in adult diagnosis and female presentation.
     
                   I thought that maybe my testing was too little that they didn't see enough. But in the end they did and I was diagnosed with autism along with many other comorbid mental health issues that come along for the ride like depression and anxiety.  I have self confidence I never had before.  A peace with myself my mom always told me I needed to have. This discovery in myself has changed my entire outlook on life. My thoughts are not congruent and I'm not a professional writer. I do want to write more about my life, but not in this post.

At 28.8 years of life, I was diagnosed with autism. And for now lets leave it at that.

Autism Spectrum

Hey, haven't been on here in years. It's bad, I forget about this website then come back and regret ever leaving. But today I am here to tell you something. I might be autistic. The funny way I came to this conclusion was because of a daredevil fanfiction I was reading where Matt is on the spectrum. As I read on the more curious I got. The author was very well researched and probably has some personal experiences. I was amazed how many characteristics of autism I had, and how many I've had for as long as I could remember.

My main stim is toe walking and rocking. Stims I stopped doing because I noticed people looking at me weird was hitting myself
I compiled a list of things I think would get me a positive diagnosis.

• Walking on my toes because I hated how the floor felt on the soles of my feet
• needing my fiance to force me to try new foods
• the bathroom and stove fan driving me up a wall, same with lawn mowers. I think its that low humm i hate. its a really uncomfortable sound that i need to stop immediately otherwise i get pissy
• I have always had a hard time making and keeping friends
• I have a hard time articulating my thoughts and feelings verbally without sounding like an idiot
• I need plans, i love them. I just suck at making them.
• I hate to travel....i also hate driving but idk if thats related
• Replaying the same verse of a song over and over and over for hours
• strong smells put me off
• I can hear the smallest sounds in my apartment, but often can't seem to hear when my fiance is talking right next to me. I remember as a kid getting my hearing tested often to find out my hearing was fine
• Was extremely dyslexic and had speech problems as a child
• I suffer with social anxiety and depression and regular ol' anxiety :/
• social activities make me anxious, loud places are over stimulating. I get snappy when out for too long
• social makes me feel drained
• the fabrics used to make sweaters drive me crazy. I cannot wear them no matter how "soft and comfortable" someone tells me they are
•  I get over heated easily or cold easily
• chewing on my hair is nice
• standing and rocking from side to side
• at work i rock in place, kick my legs out while holding the counter. constantly popping my knuckles. my box cutter can slide up and down and it clicks so i do that.
•  generally less stressed at home
• being completely obsessed with a subject. I rarely keep the same interest but sometimes i go back to the same ones and research and learn the hell out of it all over again.

There are stims I did as a kid that I rarely ever do now

• pressing my fingers into my eyes while they're closed so when i open them i can see the colors
• staring into lights so i can see the colors change and the little bright light move 
• plugging my ears and making Zzzzzz sounds or humming
• banging my head against the wall
• hitting myself in the head to get the buzzing out

I dont know if its autism related, but i like to speak in a childish voice.

Well I'm done rambling. good night world
 I'm going to seek diagnosis soon wish me luck

Adventure Called Diabetes

So yesterday was rather eventful. My bloodsugars would not go down to save my life, literally. I had to manually inject several times....I woke up at 7am they were 450 O_O can you believe i slept through that? I didnt get it down to 125 until 10pm. Sigh!!

Anywho I did manage to make something new

If anyone can recognize her you're my hero. If not this is Valentine from Skullgirls. She my favorite character to play and I kind of wish they had her in my shade of brown. Currently Going to be CGing her in photoshop :D I'm excited. I haven't done anything in photoshop like this in a long while.

Wish me luck hope to hear from you soon. Stay tuned for the finished piece.

General thought that woke me from dead sleep

Today I was getting up to use the restroom as any diabetic would know is dire. I got into my bed and started googling random things. How to make my business more successful. I have not got the audience I thought I would have as you can see from my last entry I havent been on in a year. When I moved to Corpus I thought everything would be gravy and fine. Thought I would have the best times of my life here. Little did I know the worsening of my impending depression started. I fell off radar for a long time.

Generally I was just creating to make myself feel good, I still do with others in mind now. Or I wasnt creating at all. For those of you who know how depression works, not making art made me even more depressed than I already was. Last year I lost my mother tragically. It's the kind of pain you sears into your very existence. I was never that close to her, but it hurt none the less. So what's an artist to do?

I bought myself a pair of shorts and a tank top and started working out. Working out  hard, everyday. I started feeling good, then I stopped. I would start up again. I didn't work out hard enough and long enough to see the results I wanted to see.  Now  dont get me wrong compared to 2013-14 I am way more fit. Exercising gave me something to do, a way to take care of myself.

As the months rolled by little by little I started making more art. I had just got done watching TeenWolf and I was making a lot of fanart for that show. I had bought my first acrylic paints. I also learned last year that acrylic paints do not blend very well. They are cheap and fun, but not what I was looking for. I wanted to teach myself how to paint. I spent hours looking at tutorials on pinterest, facebook, youtube, google. If anyone is interested, I keep all my art good or bad on FaceBook. You can actually see my progress. Right now I would never consider myself a master, but Ive gotten pretty decent.

Portraits have always been my favorite thing to draw, I love to people watch, love how their bodies work. Never been much of a doodler, so that is something I am currently working on, just lines, swirls, flowers for no apparent reason, put onto paper. I often find myself wondering what would make my fans happy. To this day I'm still unsure. I figure throwing in a little fanart, a little abstract, some oil paintings, some watercolor paintings.

But to the point: I just want to let the world know I am learning, and trying. I will be making more efforts in my endeavor to be known. To make a difference. Make my mark even if its just in one city. At least someone will know I was here.

Been Working Very Hard Lately

I've made it a goal to start selling my art by 6 months of marketing and broadening my audience. I've read, listened and asked so many artist for opinions, for guidance. I have art people love, now to get them to buy right? Wish it were that easy. I have been an artist for about 14 years now and I haven't sold one piece yet. That's going to change though. Hopefully with the help of you. Every one of you who reads this I just want you to get my artwork out there. Show it off, share, talk it up. It only takes a minute to Share this or any of my future post to facebook and you have helped me to achieve my goals. Someday I want my art hanging in a gallery, hanging in a Starbucks, in the homes of friends, family, clients, friends of friends. I even want to give some away for charity, raise money for charities.

So here are my links
My Facebook page

My Youtube