What to Look for in a Prenatal Vitamin: One Ingredient at a Time - Dr Lora Shahine

In this video, we will be discussing what makes a good prenatal vitamin. We'll cover why it's important to take a prenatal vitamin, when you should start taking one, and what you should look for in a good prenatal vitamin.
We'll delve into the essential nutrients that a prenatal vitamin should contain, such as folic acid, iron, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, iodine, choline, DHA, vitamin A, and vitamin C. We'll also discuss how much of each nutrient you should be taking, and provide some extra tips for getting the most out of your prenatal vitamin.
By the end of this video, you'll have a clear understanding of what to look for in a good prenatal vitamin, and I'll also share my recommendations with you!
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ABOUT : Lora Shahine, MD, is a double board certified reproductive endocrinologist and OBGYN currently practicing at Pacific NW Fertility in Seattle, WA. Originally from North Carolina, Dr. Shahine graduated with a Bachelor of Science in biology from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, and completed her training in medical school at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of California at San Francisco, and fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Stanford University.
As Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Washington and Director of the Center of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss at Pacific NW Fertility, she is committed to providing excellence in patient care, teaching the next generation of women’s healthcare providers, and continuing research in the fields of fertility and recurrent miscarriage. She has published over 75 peer-reviewed research projects and is an active member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, Seattle Gynecology Society, and the Babyquest Fertility Grant organization. Dr. Shahine is an accomplished author including 'Planting the Seeds of Pregnancy: An Integrative Approach to Fertility Care' and best-selling book, 'Not Broken: An Approachable Guide to Miscarriage and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss.'
Whether through her research, books, lectures, or active social media presense Dr. Shahine is passionate about educating on reproductive health and supporting the feritlity community.
DISCLAIMER: The content contained herein is provided for informational and/or entertainment purposes only and not intended as a substitute for advice provided by a healthcare professional. Use the provided information at your own risk. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, please contact your health care provider.
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Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:36 Video overview
0:57 #1 Why is it important to take a prenatal vitamin?
2:27 #2 When you should start taking a prenatal vitamin?
3:14 #3 What you should look for in a prenatal vitamin
3:55 Folic Acid
5:46 How much Folic Acid to take?
6:56 Methylated Folate
8:03 Iron
8:36 How much Iron to take?
8:44 Extra Iron tips
9:45 Calcium
10:04 How much calcium to take?
10:21 Vitamin D
11:07 How much Vitamin D to take?
11:28 Vitamin B6
11:38 How much Vitamin B6 to take?
11:47 Vitamin B12
11:58 How much Vitamin B12 to take?
12:18 Iodine
12:52 Choline
13:03 How much Choline to take?
13:10 DHA
13:46 Vitamin A
13:57 How much Vitamin A to take?
14:27 Vitamin C
14:38 How much Vitamin C to take?
15:45 My recommendations
16:31 Outro

[@mxnkim]

I'm watching every episodes one by one since last night. THANK YOU SO MUCH for amazing contents Dr Lora Shahine!!!

[@user-qy1sc7dd1h]

Video for folic acid vs. Folate

[@arianaornelas8778]

Thank you for this class Dr. Lora! ☺️

[@drlorashahine]

You are so welcome!

[@blessingakhivbareme7153]

Very insightful ❤❤

[@AmandaSachs1]

Was there ever a video on methylated folate? Very interested!

[@franko458]

Thank you so much:) I would love to see a video on methylated folated vs folic acid 😉

[@drlorashahine]

Thank you for watching! This is a great suggestion for a future video

[@kittiyac.2820]

thank you for your video. please talk more about folic acid vs methylated folate

[@drlorashahine]

This is a great suggestion for a future video. Thank you for watching!

[@najibahussain980]

Thank you it was really helpful and informative

[@drlorashahine]

Thank you❤️

[@Despairnot]

How about zinc and magnesium supplements.

[@jasminmalfaro]

What would you say about Molybdenum and Chromium?

[@karlagarcia4250]

Hello Dr. Shahine, my name is Karla. Thank you for this helpful info! One question that I've is, what about vitamin E in a prenatal supplement? I recently watched a video of a nutritionist that explains that Alpha-tocopherol (A-tocopherol) is the synthetic version of Vitamin E and she says that "This EVERYDAY use vitamin might be making you sick and even causing your body to develop heart disease, decreased bone mass, elevated cholesterol levels as well as even cancer of the breast, lung, colon, and prostate." I recently purchased a prenatal that contains mixed tocopherols. I've not tried it yet but want to know how harmful this could be since I've actually been taking some multivitamins that contain vitamin E (as d-alpha-tocopheryl succinate). Thank you for your help!

[@hiddenhand6973]

Did you ever get an answer for this great question? I saw that video also. I have decided to take my vitamins separately and the vitamin E issue is one reason why. I stick with wheat germ oil for now until I understand better.

[@tolufavour]

Prenatal that has Folate from (from the culture of s. cerevisiae) is it good for women with PCOS ?

[@tolufavour]

Thank you for this video

[@drlorashahine]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@tolufavour]

@@drlorashahine thank you

[@makpalakhmetova2989]

Hello Dr. Shahine! Thank you for such an informative video. My question is about vitamin A. I bought prenatal vitamins which contain vitamin A (450 mcg from Beta Carotene and 600 mcg as Palmitate), in total 1.05 mg which corresponds yo 81% of DV as they indicate. I didn't take them since I read about the daily limit of 750 mcg for pregnant women. I am not sure whether I can take them. These vitamins are quite popular (I won't say the name of this brand). What can you say about the dosage of vitamin A and is it safe to take them? Thank you in advance!

[@user-cn2ni8dz6w]

Hello Dr. Shahine, thank you for this much needed information on prenatal vitamins. Is Megafood Baby and Me 2 good enough to meet these nutrition needs?

[@drlorashahine]

I’m not able to review every brand but hopefully the info in this video helps!

[@Cassiopeia269]

Thank you Dr Shahine! Is there such a thing as taking too much folic acid and folate?

[@drlorashahine]

Great question - yes!

[@bijougonzalezkohns595]

Hello Dr. Shahine. This is a very helpful video. Thank you! Could you do a video on the top prenatal vitamins? I am taking Needed in powder form and their Omega. Curious if the brand is truly what they say they are.

[@drlorashahine]

I’m not familiar with that brand. See my video on finding safe supplements for tips to find independently verified supplements ❤️

[@kimv6309]

I also switched to Needed after trying theranatal core. Unsure about the whole methylfolate part of them though. My dietician also showed a comparison list but tbh I just went for what will cover everything and then started to tease out some of them to take separately like iron. Saw a bar form as well (first of its kind) but no one knew much about it so didn’t try. … so many …

[@KaliyaKrishna-eu3tl]

Im planning to have baby again last time I lost my 8 week baby my baby heartbeat is not coming that’s why please help me I want to try this medicine before 3 months how i take before eat or after eat 🙏

[@joseanekoch.]

In which online store can I find the vitamin?

[@-h.3507]

Could please do that video over folic acid vs folate vs methylated etc

[@drlorashahine]

This is a great topic suggestion! Thank you for watching ❤️🤞🍍

[@user-ni9mq9yy8r]

Hi Dr. Shahine. I’m on my week 6 of pregnancy, and our first obgyn appointment is next week. I would like to know, should I take folic acid and prenatals vitamins now, or should wait for my appointment?

[@drlorashahine]

I would tell my patients ok to start now - you can call and ask your clinic if you have any concerns❤️

[@mrh797]

Hello doctor there are so many brands available in the market,which one do you recommend? Please give your valuable suggestions

[@drlorashahine]

This is a great question. I would advise you to consult your medical provider, as I can't give medical advice to personal situations on social media. I have a lot of content on the subject on this channel, website drlorashahine.com, KZbin and Instagram account @drlorashahine that are great sources for you

[@sweetsecret8431]

Doctor thank you for this video. I am here because I am trying to conceive naturally and Ive been trying for 9 years now.

[@drlorashahine]

I wish you the best of luck! Thank you so much for watching ❤️

[@saidamahfoud5306]

Hello doctor can you tell us wich brands are trustworthy to buy?

[@Silky0627]

Bought my prenatal today and all vitamins mentioned is in my supplements

[@drlorashahine]

Best wishes to you!

[@pranishareddy7901]

can you help me with the you bought @Silky0627

[@jawariakiran909]

Which brand u buy

[@franzforestm0409]

Hello my wife is pregnant can she drink elevit and prenatal vitamins in once?

[@teodoramb7503]

Thank you very much, doctor for this informative video! I live in Belgium and the doctor prescribed L-methylfolate de calcium as the only vitamin. Is this the right folic acid? I am very confused. I am 38, vegetarian, I always had low levels of iron. I bought from the farmacy a prenatal suplement which has vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6,, B8, B12, E, D, iron, zinc, magnesium, iodine, selenium, DHA and EPA, B9 methyltetradydrofolic (short is 5-MTHF) in the form of salt of glucosamine. Which is the right B9 to take, which is the good folic acide? I am very confused of the right form of folic acid. Thank you very much!

[@denissepulido145]

Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate, which is the natural pure vitamin, so folate and l-methylfolate are a lot better!

[@CottonCloud369]

Hi Dr. Lora, I have question, should I choose the ones marketing for organic food extract over the other ones? I’m currently taking Actif organic prenatal, but I’m considering trying other brands like Thorne or pure encapsulation, just because they have more complete vitamin ingredients, I wonder i I should change. Thank you very much!

[@drlorashahine]

Great question. The term ‘organic’ means different things form different brands and can just be marketing. See my video on finding safer supplements for tips!❤️

[@kayladyck3683]

Can you make a video where you list brands you would recommend

[@drlorashahine]

This is a great topic that I can discuss in a future post. Thank you for the suggestion❤️🤞🍍

[@sashawinslow2988]

Hello Dr. Shahine, what is your take on prenatal gummie vitamins?

[@drlorashahine]

One issues is most gummies do not have iron which can help precent anemia in pregnancy. Check that the gummies are third party tested - just like other types of supplements - not all gummies are good/reliable/high quality.

[@lilo4784]

I’m still looking for a vegan rice free prenatal as the rice ingredient made me sick still looking for one that won’t cause unnecessary stress

[@teepretty4720]

Hello Dr I’m taking the gummies prenatal n it got folate in it is that ok ? I’m a little worry

[@drlorashahine]

This is a great question. I would advise you to consult your medical provider, as I can't give medical advice to personal situations on social media. I have a lot of content on the subject on this channel, website drlorashahine.com, KZbin and Instagram account @drlorashahine that are great sources for you.

[@kristy8805]

I appreciate this helpful information. I am a pregnant woman.

[@drlorashahine]

Glad it was helpful!

[@archalnaidu6544]

Hi Shahine, I take ritual prenatal. I just found out I’m pregnant and after watching your video. Iam realizing ritual does not have folic acid in it. Rather it has folate. Should I add folic acid to it? Also Can you recommend some over the counter brands for good prenatals please.

[@drlorashahine]

I love ritual brand and they assure that folate will but used well in pregnancy for all your needs but we just don’t have the decades of evidence that we do for folic acid. Ask your doctor what’s right for you - I have seen people take both❤️

[@archalnaidu6544]

Thank you so much!

[@user-bc6bo9bd1h]

Can we continue taking coenzymeq10 during presidential ???

[@AlaaAli-oh4vt]

Thank you doctor for this class, I have question : I am not pregnant. I have been trying for almost one year. My question is, if I take a prenatal vitamin, such as Elevit, every day for almost one year while I am trying to get pregnant, will it harm me?

[@drlorashahine]

I’m not aware of Elevit in particular but no harm in taking a prenatal vitamin longterm - just like a multivitamin

[@amazinglifeadventures]

Good day Dr, if my prenatal doesn't have any Choline & I wasn't taking it before, can I take it separately at 30 wks ?

[@drlorashahine]

This is a great question. I would advise you to consult your medical provider, as I can't give medical advice to personal situations on social media. I have a lot of content on the subject on this channel, website drlorashahine.com, KZbin and Instagram account @drlorashahine that are great sources for you

[@HannahMacAdam]

Thank you this has been very helpful, you said that research shows that taking vitamin B6 1.9mg daily is required, I habe vitamin b6 100mg, would I take this once a week then?

[@drlorashahine]

Thank you! My guess is your vitamin is 100micrograms which is 1 milligram - units are confusing but important ❤️

[@HannahMacAdam]

@@drlorashahine so I can take my vitamin b6 100mg daily?

[@pee5946]

There’s this prenatal that I am taking it has methytetrahydrofolate can I take take folic acid in addition to it?

[@drlorashahine]

Yes❤️

[@chrisanthony7691]

Do you wanna fight with Chris? No.

[@chrisanthony7691]

Overheard Chris’s conversation. If I’m pregnant he’s gonna fight for custody. He doesn’t want Dad to be the dad. He doesn’t want my dad to raise my kid.

[@chrisanthony7691]

Chris doesn’t want my dad raising his kid

[@cuisineallfuntravelnetwork8615]

Nice video

[@drlorashahine]

Thank you for watching ❤️

[@IndiaintheUSA]

Hello Doctor, Good to know the importance of Prenatal Vitamins. But what about the conditions like Thyroid or Gestational Diabetes. Many preganant women get developed these conditions during pregancy so what would you suggest for them ? How to control or manage this conditions or what to do before before so that this comditions will not develope further. ? What are the diets that not to be taken during pregnacy ? (like Papaya/ Pineapple/ high Mercury fish/ etc). Would love to know your thoughts 😊

[@drlorashahine]

I work with the patient’s OBGYN to manage thyroid and diabetes in pregnancy with medications like levothyroxine, metformin, insulin. I am not recommending supplements to treat these conditions.

[@user-ds7pl2qy6y]

Before pregnancy what vitamins should we choose to get pregnant?

[@drlorashahine]

Not sure what you’re asking but ok to take prenatal vitamin before you start trying

[@chrisanthony7691]

Do you wanna pick a fight?

[@arvetaks]

Can folic acid and prenatal vitamins be taken at the same time.

[@drlorashahine]

Yes they can. Thank you so much for watching 😊

[@ATexasPerson101]

Are there prenatal vitamins that don’t contain folic acid?

[@arvetaks]

I have been noticing pink, brown or sometime dark pink colour of bleeding and clots once in a while and it’s not 7days but been 25 days now, I am getting worried, 😢please if you can help me understand what is happening to me.

[@Klea95]

You should see your medical provider.

[@phalange1234]

Does too much folic acid cause autism?

[@ZephrusPrime]

What about Prenatal Gummies?

[@drlorashahine]

One issues is most gummies do not have iron which can help precent anemia in pregnancy. Check that the gummies are third party tested - just like other types of supplements - not all gummies are good/reliable/high quality. Thank you for watching!

[@yume816]

No prenatal will have it all due to absorption issue so you’ll have to supplement the missing vitamin

[@drlorashahine]

Supplements are just that - they cannot make up for poor nutrition completely

[@afton9403]

Yes make sure that those pRegNanT PeOpLe get that iodized salt with all those micro plastics

[@jeyasriratnavel4864]

Can I take prenatal take for hair loss

[@drlorashahine]

This is a great question. I would advise you to consult your medical provider, as I can't give medical advice to personal situations on social media. I have a lot of content on the subject on this channel, website drlorashahine.com, KZbin and Instagram account @drlorashahine that are great sources for you

[@Christimony222]

I could’ve sworn folic acid was not best for pregnant women. Folate is.

[@drlorashahine]

They are very similar - folic acid needs to be converted to methylated folate before use in the body - methylated folate likely ok but we have 30 years of evidence that folic acid prevents neural tube defects in the baby - we just don’t have the same level of research on methylated folate. Some people take both

[@bubukittee24]

The term “pregnant person” really offends me. I’m probably the only one though.

[@burbynella]

No, I just corrected her out loud after hearing it one too many times.

[@blaxicandansa]

It bothers me too.!!

[@alifeworthmore]

Nope. You’re not alone.

[@Progressive.G]

You're not. It should be 10000% pregnant *WOMEN* because women are the only ones who actually get pregnant per mother nature. 💯

[@DawnWilkinson-xv5yd]

Same here...Theres no such thing as just a pregnant PERSON...ONLY A PREGNANT WOMAN...PROPLE ARE QUACKS SAYING PREGNANT PERSON...SMH 😠

[@TheBlogWasWendi]

Pregnant person? 😂 🤡

[@drlorashahine]

Some people with eggs do not identify as women and some people with sperm do not identify as men. I do say men and women from time to time but trying to be inclusive, respectful.

[@TheBlogWasWendi]

@@drlorashahine you sound like a complete clown and will definitely lose followers for your foolishness. 🥴

[@valeria939]

@@drlorashahine only women get pregnant. Men that identify as women are still men.

[@theoriginalone2780]

Hi doctor my doctor give me natele easy gel for me is that a good for the baby

[@drlorashahine]

This is a great question. I would advise you to consult your medical provider, as I can't give medical advice to personal situations on social media. I have a lot of content on the subject on this channel, website drlorashahine.com, KZbin and Instagram account @drlorashahine that are great sources for you

[@theoriginalone2780]

@@drlorashahine ok thank u