Welcome to YELLOWMUM! It’s my new category sharing with you my journey as an expectant mum! 🙂
So I guess it goes without saying- I haven’t been blogging regularly because o my pregnancy. Wow, when they say morning sickness, I never knew that it meant “whole day sickness”. I mentioned in one of the videos that I did that I was sick (my all day sickness) and it really took a toll on me. I learned from my mum to listen to my body. If I feel tired or dizzy- I rest. And for the past how many months, I always get dizzy when I’m in front of the computer. So what’s the solution? To turn it off and take a nap. Lousy I know, but I feel like it’s one of the best advises I have received from anyone so far. “Listen to your body.” It’s not just me anymore, it’s me and my munchkin.
Anyways, I want to talk about the supplements that I currently take. My doctor is pretty practical and she doesn’t make me take so many supplements that she feels I don’t really need.
Nature’s Bounty
Folic Acid
Folic acid or folate is a B vitamin B9. The best food sources of folic acid are in leafy green vegetables like kale and spinach, orange juice, and enriched grains like cereals.
I have been taking Folic Acid for a little over a year now even before my pregnancy. Folic Acid can help prevent birth defects of the baby’s brain and spinal cord. It helps in the baby’s neural tube develop in the brain and spinal cord. I was advised to take it even before pregnancy because birth defects actually occurs within the first 3-4 weeks of pregnancy and by that time, women generally don’t know that they’re already pregnant.
I chose to buy a bottle of Folic Acid from a store in Greenhills (similar to GNC and Healthy Options but I forgot the name) because it will end up cheaper than buying it per pc from the drugstore. 1 tablet is 800mcg and I take 1 a day.
During my last check up (when I was 12 weeks pregnant), my doctor actually said that I can already stop taking it or I can just finish what I have. It’s not necessary anymore because my baby has already finished developing his/her brain and spinal cord. I plan to just finish my bottle of folic acid. I think I still have about half of it. 🙂
Watson’s Compliance Pack
Metformin
Like what I mentioned, I was diagnosed with PCOS. Here’s a short description that I was able to research about it:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that causes irregular menstrual periods because monthly ovulation is not occurring and levels of androgens (male hormones) in women are elevated. The condition occurs in about 5 to 10 percent of women. The elevated androgen levels can sometimes cause excessive facial hair growth, acne, and/or male-pattern hair thinning. Some, but not all, women with PCOS are overweight or obese, and they are at higher than average risk of developing diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea. For women with PCOS who want to become pregnant, fertility pills or injections are often needed to help women ovulate.
Although PCOS is not completely reversible, there are a number of treatments that can reduce or minimize bothersome symptoms. Most women with PCOS are able to lead a normal life without significant complications
Upon discussing this with some of my friends, I learned that one of them also has PCOS. Apparently it’s not as uncommon as we thought. I found out via ultrasound. I was so shocked when I learned that I have it because I’ve always had regular menstruation. My friend was even told that she only has 50% chance of getting pregnant. How scary is that right?
Anyways, because of this situation, I was prescribed medication for it. Ever since I learned about my PCOS, I have been taking Metformin. It is supposedly intended for diabetic people since it’s a hypoglycemic agent. But it’s also being used to treat PCOS. Metformin improves the effectiveness of insulin produced by the body.
Even though I’m already pregnant, my doctor advised me to continue taking it because she says that it’s a very good supplement. It helps reduce chances of gestational diabetes and since those who have PCOS are at higher risk for miscarriage, Metformin reduces risk of miscarrying.
I was able to get a Compliance Pack which has 30pcs Metformin tablets from Watson’s. It’s a generic brand, Rite Med, but I don’t really mind. I’ve tried the branded ones (P7.00-9.00 each) and it didn’t really do anything differently so I think I’ll stick to the generic brand.
Early this year I also took Clomid which is to help me ovulate. Since I was diagnosed PCOS, it meant that I don’t ovulate every month and since we’re already trying to start a family, I have to make sure that I ovulate everytime. I took that for 5 days per month. It was after a cycle of 3 months before I got pregnant. After that 3 months, I already stopped taking Clomid. The downside when drinking Clomid? Aside from it’s hella expensive, if I remember correctly it was about P200+ per tablet, multiple births is also possible- yes meaning twins, triplets, quadruplets, and so on. (I already learned that I only have 1 baby inside me. :))
So in conclusion, at the moment I’m taking 2 supplements a day. I know that there’s also Prenatal Vitamins. And I asked my doctor if I need to take that, but she said no need for me.
For moms out there, do you have any recommendations or suggestions of what else to buy? Not only for supplements but any maternity stuff? 🙂 Please share with me.
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