Prenatal Vitamins

simsk3887 · December 2013

Hi Ladies-

I'm still reading as much as I can around this board and trying to understand as much as I can before we start TTC. I picked up some prenatal vitamins tonight to start when I finish my BCP on Sunday, however the nurse at my doctor's office is anti-helpful and pretty much said, 'just take them when you're trying to have a baby'. I know they aren't exactly rocket science but my question is - Do I continue to take my usual multivitamin every day as well or do I only take the Prenatals? Thoughts? Thank you!!

sgautschi · December 2013

Only take one or the other, and start now. Prenatals give you the most benefit before getting pregnant and in the first few weeks of pregnancy.

blueeyedblossom · December 2013

Ditto PP. Only one is necessary. Anything more than what you need you are literally peeing your money away. (You pee out all extra vitamins your body doesn't need)
The PNV is best and most ladies start taking one before TTC. One with DHA included is best. I hope this helps. :-)

sgautschi · December 2013

^Yes to the DHA! Great for brain development.

simsk3887 · December 2013

Thank you for the info! We aren't going to start TTC until March-'ish' so I'm hoping to get a few months head start. I have a friend who had a Chiari malformation so she beats the DHA importance into me. I got the Target chewable gummies (I'm a HORRIBLE pill swallower) to start but I will have to check the DHA content. Thanks again, ladies!

sgautschi · December 2013

Perfect timing! My doctor said 3 months before TTC is an ideal time to start taking them. That's about when I started, and I also took the gummies. The pills hurt my stomach.

poppies717 · December 2013

My GP told me that any woman of childbearing age should take PNVs, regardless if they are TTC or not. They have everything you need and more! Best of luck when your journey begins!

FutureMrsWright2012 · December 2013

I agree with all of the PP's (including about DHA), but most importantly, you need to make sure you're getting plenty of folic acid, which is thought to help prevent spina bifila, Chiari, cleft lip/palate, etc.

lb1117 · December 2013

poppies717 said:

My GP told me that any woman of childbearing age should take PNVs, regardless if they are TTC or not. They have everything you need and more! Best of luck when your journey begins!

I've been told this as well. I was starting taking them when we got married.

Apollo11235 · December 2013

lb1117 said:

poppies717 said:

My GP told me that any woman of childbearing age should take PNVs, regardless if they are TTC or not. They have everything you need and more! Best of luck when your journey begins!

I've been told this as well. I was starting taking them when we got married.

I was told this, too. I've been taking them for about 6 months, and don't plan to TTC for at least a year or so.

abt8113 · December 2013

lb1117 said:

poppies717 said:

My GP told me that any woman of childbearing age should take PNVs, regardless if they are TTC or not. They have everything you need and more! Best of luck when your journey begins!

I've been told this as well. I was starting taking them when we got married.

Ditto this as well. I had a professor that went on about this forever in undergrad.

DangerMuffin23 · December 2013

Yeah I'd been taking prenatals for over five years because they're supposedly the only ones the FDA really monitors. (it make sure all the vitamins and quantities are what they claim they are). And yes, just one is enough. No need for a mv on top of it:-)

LuckyAngel07 · December 2013

I found most chewables were lower in things like calcium (if they had any at all) and iron. Most were fine for folic acid content, but I didn't notice many that contained DHA. Definitely check the values on yours, and if necessary, add calcium and iron supplements (I take a chewable calcium supplement called Viactiv) and a DHA supplement.

I take Nature Made PNVs with DHA. It's a big pill that you need to swallow, but I find they go down fairly easily (they're coated) and they never upset my stomach.

aggiebug · December 2013

DangerMuffin23 said:
Yeah I'd been taking prenatals for over five years because they're supposedly the only ones the FDA really monitors. (it make sure all the vitamins and quantities are what they claim they are). And yes, just one is enough. No need for a mv on top of it:-)

Stepping in with another question.

I have heard before thay brand doesn't matter for prenatals, but the last time I was in to a gyn she was adamant I take a specific brand. What brands do you use?

I have seen the studies on how poorly multi vitamins and supplements are regulated so I am hesitant in picking up any old vitamin.

blueeyedblossom · December 2013

I use nature made PNV with DHA added.

lilliesandvino · December 2013

Target. I also take a generic B6 to lengthen LP.

CincodeMayoLove · December 2013

sgautschi said:
Perfect timing! My doctor said 3 months before TTC is an ideal time to start taking them. That's about when I started, and I also took the gummies. The pills hurt my stomach.

Take right before bed and they don't hurt your stomach, fyi

DangerMuffin23 · December 2013

aggiebug said:

DangerMuffin23 said:
Yeah I'd been taking prenatals for over five years because they're supposedly the only ones the FDA really monitors. (it make sure all the vitamins and quantities are what they claim they are). And yes, just one is enough. No need for a mv on top of it:-)
Stepping in with another question.

I have heard before thay brand doesn't matter for prenatals, but the last time I was in to a gyn she was adamant I take a specific brand. What brands do you use?

I have seen the studies on how poorly multi vitamins and supplements are regulated so I am hesitant in picking up any old vitamin.

I use prenatal one (I get it at hi-health) and I made sure my doctor checked the ingredient list and okayed it. To be fair, an I am NOT saying this had anything to do with my bfp (but I just don't know) I switched to fertile aid (hi health) a month before I got ku. (I'll have to let you make your own judgement call on that one) I'm now back to my prenatal ones because the fertile aid has too much vit A I believe to be safe DURING pregnancy per doc. Hth!

FutureMrsWright2012 · December 2013

I'm vegetarian, so I take a vegan PNV by Deva. It has extra vitamin B12, since I don't get much in my diet, and then all the other typical stuff (just no gelatin or other animal products). GL!

MRads · December 2013

FutureMrsWright2012 said:
I agree with all of the PP's (including about DHA), but most importantly, you need to make sure you're getting plenty of folic acid, which is thought to help prevent spina bifila, Chiari, cleft lip/palate, etc.

There are also early studies linking autism with a lack of folic acid in mothers leading up to conception.

And like others have said, I don't think I'll ever stop taking pnv bc they have so many benefits.

aggiebug · December 2013

Thanks for the helpful info. I will not be seeing the woman I saw last visit for many reasons but I was overwhelmed with everything she discussed so I didn't ask enough why questions.

R.Wilsonny · December 2013

I take the Target brand prenatals with separate DHA pill. I've also been taking extra vitamin D (the reason is escaping me how the vitamin D helps, but I needed to take that anyway as per my regular doctor)

PandPMeant2B · December 2013

I take Your Life multi by Nature's Bounty. Truth be told, I first bought them because they were buy one get one free at Stop and Shop (I did make sure they had DHA, folic acid, etc. Basically, they looked good AND they were BYGO, so I gave them a shot). They don't bother my stomach at all (I take them in the morning with breakfast). I'm going to have my OB look at them today just to double check, but me and my not-so-extensive knowledge are happy with them.

LuckyAngel07 · December 2013

aggiebug said:
Stepping in with another question. I have heard before thay brand doesn't matter for prenatals, but the last time I was in to a gyn she was adamant I take a specific brand. What brands do you use? I have seen the studies on how poorly multi vitamins and supplements are regulated so I am hesitant in picking up any old vitamin.

When I had my appt last week, the OB nurse gave me several samples of Rx prenatals, but she said anything I take OTC is totally fine too, one is not better than the other. She just wanted to make sure it had DHA in it, which it does.

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