Prenatal Vitamin Questions

[amberviolin]

I just learned I was pregnant so my husband and I went to the store to get prenatal vitamins (surprise!). We bought Women's One-a-Day Prenatal and they have not given me any problems. My husband was comparing the nutrional value on the back on the box to his men's generic vitamins and he said he did not see a difference. Other than a regular one a day vitamin, this package also has a one-a-day fish oil pill. The pills say to take with food. I've taken them after dinner and not had any adverse reactions.

[lucystone]

I didn't take a prenatal prior to conception - just my usual daily multivitamin. Once we got pregnant, I started on the Women's One-a-Day prenatal. I promptly got sick and was sick every single day I took it, no matter if I took it at night, in the morning, whenever. I stopped taking it and am now just taking a folic acid supplement until my morning sickness eases to the point where I can take any food larger than a grain of rice. My doctor said the Flintstone's vitamins paired with a folic acid supplement give the same benefits as a standard prenatal, but they cost less and a lot of women don't have the sickness with those. That's probably what I'll take once I'm past this g-dawful nausea and vomiting.

Just remember every woman's pregnancy is different, so what works for some may not work for you. Finding the vitamins, food, supplements, etc that work best for you and your pregnancy may require some trial and error at first, especially if this is your first child. Whatever you do, if you are ever in doubt about whether or not to take something, DO NOT take it and consult your doctor (NOT the internet). Babies are hardy little things, but better to be safe than sorry, yes?

[historia]

I started taking prenatal vitamins before I got pregnant. I heard the folic acid might prevent autism (according to a study someone read, I didn't read it myself) and birth defects if taken early. Also, I heard folic acid might help with conception. Figured it wouldn't hurt to take it, since it's just two pills each night. I take Walgreen's Pharmacist Support Pre-natal + DHA every night after dinner. I haven't had any issues with them.

[bostonlover]

YES, you need to take prenatal vitamins prior to conceiving and all the way through your pregnancy. Folic acid is very very important for a develop embryo/fetus, as it can help to prevent spina bifida (a potentially severe birth defect).

*** Take the vitamin at night before bed after having a snack.***

I can't take any vitamins on an empty stomach. Try a different brand if this one doesn't work. Personally, I just went to Target and got their house brand prenatal. I believe you want at least 800 mcg of folic acid.

I don't say this to scare you, but speaking as someone who lost a child due to a heart defect, please do everything you possibly can to have a healthy child. I did do everything right and was extremely careful. We later learned that we have a history on my husband's side of heart defects. We have a healthy older son and now two healthy twin boys.

[ajh]

My prenatal vitamins have always made me sick. I have to take them with the largest meal I eat and then I usually don't throw up. The most important thing in the first trimester is folic acid. You need 5mg per day so even with taking a prenatal vitamin you need to supplement with folic acid tablets. The good thing about the folate pills is they don't make you sick so if you can't stomach the prenatal vitamin just make sure you take the folic acid tablets. You should be taking 5mg of folic acid even when you are ttc as the first few weeks after conception, even before you know you are pregnant, are the most important for fetal development.