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hot topics

Q: Do I need prenatal vitamins?

Posted Wednesday, October 17, 2007 1:59 PM

Q: Why do I need prenatal vitamins? How do I pick out the right one?
 

A: First of all, the best time to start taking care of baby is before you even conceive.  Why? Because you’ll provide your body with essential nutrients that’ll not only help you conceive, but also have a healthy pregnancy.
 
Folic acid is crucial because getting enough now can vastly decrease the risk of neural tube defects (such as spina bifida) as baby develops. Folic acid is so important that experts recommend all women of childbearing age (even those not TTC) get 400 mcg of folic acid a day.
 
Make sure to choose a formula that also contains zinc, which can actually increase fertility. And, research shows that women who take vitamins with at least ten mg of vitamin B6 before they conceive or during the first few weeks of pregnancy reduce the likelihood of morning sickness. (And that’s a pretty convincing reason to take your vitamins right there!)

QA Index

 

Posted by Paula K
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Comments

re: Q: Do I Need Prenatal Vitamins?

Thanks!

Posted by krayzeemommie    Tuesday, November 13, 2007 6:58 PM


re: Q: Do I Need Prenatal Vitamins?

I am buying them today!!!!

Posted by MrsAbney2B    Saturday, December 22, 2007 6:35 AM


re: Q: Do I Need Prenatal Vitamins?

my doctor told me to use any vitamin.  do you agree?  what type of vitamin should i take?

Posted by cmartineau07    Thursday, January 31, 2008 10:18 AM


re: Q: Do I Need Prenatal Vitamins?

THANKS!  I am getting mine today!

Posted by princess512    Friday, February 01, 2008 7:27 AM


re: Q: Do I Need Prenatal Vitamins?

My family doctor said to start the prenatals eventhough we're just trying now. Although I throw up when I take any kind of vitamin, so if I eat I hold them down are they still doing me good as long I hold them down?

Posted by Kabe    Tuesday, February 05, 2008 1:48 PM


re: Q: Do I Need Prenatal Vitamins?

I am currently on PreNate DHA even though I'm still on BC since we don't plan on trying for at least another year.  But Doc said it was good for any woman of child-bearing age to be on them if they plan on having children in the future (plus, DH reps them).  I love the ones I'm taking.  I'm usually really bad with big pills, but they go down smoothly & they have a nice vanilla flavor to them as well!

Posted by AutumnBride929    Sunday, February 10, 2008 11:18 PM


re: Q: Do I Need Prenatal Vitamins?

Should the prenatal vitamins be taken even after giving birth if you plan on breastfeeding?  Thanks!

Posted by baby5167    Friday, March 07, 2008 4:39 PM


Suggestions on Prenatal Vitamins ?

What kind of prenatal vitamins does anyone recommend? Over the counter? Script?

Posted by Mrs.Mullin    Monday, March 10, 2008 4:13 PM


re: Q: Do I Need Prenatal Vitamins?

is there a maximum daily limit of prenatal vitamins one should take?  

(just wondering b/c i feel like i should be catching up, since we just got of the pill!!!)

thanks :)

Posted by mrs.rdb    Monday, March 17, 2008 1:38 PM


re: Q: Do I Need Prenatal Vitamins?

Just realized that i meant to say "Folic Acid" not Prenatal Vitamins... oops ;)

Posted by mrs.rdb    Monday, March 17, 2008 1:48 PM


re: Q: Do I Need Prenatal Vitamins?

My doctor actually recommended taking folic acid prior to concieving/trying, but not prenatal vitamins until you are actually pregnant b/c they're loaded with (too much) calcium and a lot of women are ending up with kidney stones b/c of the calcium intake.  I'm currently taking Folic Acid - 1 tab a day at 400 mcg (I believe you can take 1000 though).  I'm going to look into separate zinc and B6 as recommended above.  The multi-vitamins are easier since they have EVERYTHING, but you don't always want more of everything prior to conception, expecially if you already have calcium in your diet.  With the overload of calcium, your body can't process it anyway.

Posted by ezschunke    Friday, March 21, 2008 9:03 AM


re: Q: Do I Need Prenatal Vitamins?

My OB/GYN prescribed me OBTREX PRENATAL mfg Pronova, he said it's important to take them, I am 5 weeks pregnant now. Before getting pregnant I took 400 mcg of Folic Acid for about 3 months.

Posted by elvira101    Friday, March 21, 2008 3:43 PM


re: Q: Do I Need Prenatal Vitamins?

I just started taking prenatal vitamins.......I assume that I still continue taking my regular vitamins for myself  as well,(Women's One-a-day), right?

Posted by headcasern    Friday, March 28, 2008 2:17 PM


re: Q: Do I Need Prenatal Vitamins?

I just started taking prenatal vitamins.............I assume I continue taking my regular vitamins for myself as well (Woman's One-a-day), right?  (I was just at my obgyn yest too and forgot to ask!)

Posted by Meli-Fonso    Friday, March 28, 2008 2:22 PM


re: Q: Do I Need Prenatal Vitamins?

You probably don't want to take prenatals AND your regular vitamins - it could leave you with too much some vitamins which isn't good (vitamin A is a good example of one where it's too much of a good thing). If you want something more than just the prenatals - take individual supplements instead.  I take a B-complex with vit C in addition to my prenatals.

Posted by bliss611    Monday, April 07, 2008 1:12 PM


re: Q: Do I Need Prenatal Vitamins?

I have started prenatal vitamins and I always have a sore throat when I take them. My doctor told me to start them since we will soon start trying. She told me over the counter ones were fine, but I may get her to prescribe me some since the over the counter ones make my throat sore.

Everything I have read on prenatals advise that you be very careful concerning the amount you take. You should only take the recommended amount and you should not take them in addition to other vitamins. The prenatals are like super vitamins and provide everything that is needed.

Posted by AuburnGirlSC    Tuesday, April 08, 2008 2:22 PM


re: Q: Do I Need Prenatal Vitamins?

I just bought NatureMade prenatal vitamins at Costco. I wonder if I'm the only person who ever bought prenatal vitamins and vodka in the same Costco trip. :-) My OB told me to take at least 800 mcg of folic acid per day.

Posted by Peachnettie    Wednesday, April 16, 2008 2:39 PM


re: Q: Do I need prenatal vitamins?

My OB told me that  a regular multivitamin plus some extra folic acid is all I should need. No need to spend the extra money on specific prenatal vitamins.

Posted by ShannonMc    Wednesday, May 14, 2008 7:46 PM


re: Q: Do I need prenatal vitamins?

My OB told me to get on Prenatal vitamins right away, we're not even looking to conceive until sometime next year. I've never taken vitamins before... so I'm wondering if I'll start feeling like Wonder Woman or what? lol. I'm just so stoked to be taking better care of my body so well in advance before making babies!

Posted by annievader    Monday, May 19, 2008 11:13 PM


re: Q: Do I need prenatal vitamins?

Ok, I've been taking the One A Day Women's Prenatals. I started a couple months ago when I thought I was pregnant, but then had a MC and slacked off. I've been regular with them again for about a month (yeah, I know, I'm a total vitamin slacker). I've also been taking an additional Folic Acid sup. and Zinc. If by some lucky accident I get pregnant in the next couple of weeks will 2ish months of prenatals be enough of a cushion for my baby??? It's amazing the things that start to freak you out when you decide to TTC.

Posted by Mabry's Mrs    Wednesday, August 06, 2008 9:28 PM


re: Q: Do I need prenatal vitamins?

My doctor told me to start taking either prenatal vitamins or at least folic acid now - I am still on BC and won't be TTC for a year. I was just going to continue with my multi-vitamin because it has the folic acid and that supposedly is the most important to have. But I recently bought OTC prenatals (from CVS) because I've heard they help with hair and nail growth too - I desperately want my nails to grow stronger and I figured if this will help with that AND my doctor told me it's ok to go ahead and start taking them, I'm killing two birds with one stone. But when I started the prenatals I did quit taking my multi-vitamin because as others have said, you don't want too much. There are actually certain vitamins that if you have too much of them it hurts you instead of helps. So just take on thing.

Posted by sharethevision    Monday, October 20, 2008 3:53 PM


re: Q: Do I need prenatal vitamins?

I just started taking Nature's Plus Source of Life Prenatal liquid, its not too bad.  

I have read that there are some vitamins that you can have too much of, as a pp mentioned vitamin A is one of them so in regards to the post asking if you should still take the womans one-a-day I'd say no unless it just so happens that that multi lacks the ingredients that the prenatal has and vice versa, other wise you're doubling up unnecessarily.

Posted by emjay2009    Friday, October 24, 2008 4:48 PM


re: Q: Do I need prenatal vitamins?

my prenatal vitamins hav 20 mg of B6, 800 mcg of folic acid, and 25 mg of zinc, is this too much??

Posted by jameyleeh    Tuesday, November 18, 2008 12:54 PM


re: Q: Do I need prenatal vitamins?

I  STARTED TAKING Prenatal vitamins I take Womens One A D

Posted by crazylove410    Sunday, December 14, 2008 10:32 AM


re: Q: Do I need prenatal vitamins?

Sorry last post didnt post right I take Womens One a Day my OB said to start taking them I take them everyday religiously in hopes that it will help I had  a ectopic and a miscarrige several years ago Im just praying for a healthy pregnancy this time around.T

Posted by crazylove410    Sunday, December 14, 2008 10:37 AM


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