Prenatal Vitamins

SusanS118

I'm 34 weeks, and I have been taking mine every day since 5 weeks. I have a lot of friends who haven't or don't. I was wondering who takes them, and if not why did you choose not to?

mamacastro

I do and I continue after baby is born while breastfeeding as doctor recommended. I do it because there are days when I don't always eat the most appropriate foods that are required for the nutrients that baby needs so the vitamins are obviously a supplement to make sure baby is still getting valuable and important nutrients like Folic Acid, iron. DHA etc.

taysun

I take them, but I often didn't in the first trimester because they made me sick and I threw them up most days. Sometimes I forget. But I attempt to take them every day and will continue while breastfeeding as recommended by my OB.

Wicked4589

I take mine every day and will continue to do so while BFing. Baby takes what he needs from you and leaves you deficient. I can tell when I don't take them that I start feeling a little more sluggish the next few days. I eat healthy but today's food sources don't have near the vitamins and minerals that they used to when our grandparents were birthing babies.

dragonfly321

I second @Wicked4589.
I can tell a difference if I don't take them-more sluggish. When I had a Cold and wasn't really eating at all, they were my nutrients for the baby. It sucks to say that, but when you're sick and hacking up cold icky, the idea of food just... Isn't.

mthoomom

I do because I'm paranoid about low iron at the end of my pregnancy.

celainev

I couldn't take them in the first trimester due to bad MS. But at about 14 weeks, I managed to slowly take them with food before bed, starting at 3 times a week and I built up to every night. I will continue taking them after giving birth/while breastfeeding.

ZoeyRaeJames

I couldn't take them at all, because my body cannot handle iron properly, and makes me severely ill. I also got really bad nose bleeds from taking them, which was not the normal "nose bleeds due to pregnancy", so I had to stop taking them for that reason as well. Each person is different, though. So, some take the Prenatals, some don't! Or can't, even.

ammnam14

I didn't take them during first tri because I was so sick. Now I forget them quite often but try my best!

kyraaD

Wicked4589 said:

I take mine every day and will continue to do so while BFing. Baby takes what he needs from you and leaves you deficient. I can tell when I don't take them that I start feeling a little more sluggish the next few days. I eat healthy but today's food sources don't have near the vitamins and minerals that they used to when our grandparents were birthing babies.

this is exactly why i take mine daily. i don't always eat the best, so i know if I'm taking these daily, baby is still getting the vitamins/minerals he needs.

DrillSergeantCat

I've been really bad about taking mine because they give me horrible heartburn and I can't take anything for the heartburn for 2 hours after I take the prenatals. On top of that I also have to take iron and vitamin c which I was instructed have to be taken 2 hours before or after the prenatal AND 2 hours before or after the heartburn remedy. 

kalanieileen

DrillSergeantCat said:

I've been really bad about taking mine because they give me horrible heartburn and I can't take anything for the heartburn for 2 hours after I take the prenatals. On top of that I also have to take iron and vitamin c which I was instructed have to be taken 2 hours before or after the prenatal AND 2 hours before or after the heartburn remedy. 

I got a headache reading this lol

DrillSergeantCat

kalanieileen said:

I got a headache reading this lol

Sorry? Take a tylenol? 

skruhmin

I took them pretty religiously second trimester but my bottle ran out and I haven't restocked.  Difference between this pregnancy (DS3) and the others I suppose.

ambercakes92

mamacastro said:

I do and I continue after baby is born while breastfeeding as doctor recommended. I do it because there are days when I don't always eat the most appropriate foods that are required for the nutrients that baby needs so the vitamins are obviously a supplement to make sure baby is still getting valuable and important nutrients like Folic Acid, iron. DHA etc.

Exactly this!

sarahbeara25

Just an idea for future pregnancies. I would throw up after taking them during first tri until I started grinding them up and putting them in a smoothy or milkshake. It made my milkshakes a little grainy but overall I could actually keep them down which was nice.

And ya as PP said eating well everyday is a bit of a challenge so that's why I take them every day.

essentialpeace

DrillSergeantCat said:

I've been really bad about taking mine because they give me horrible heartburn and I can't take anything for the heartburn for 2 hours after I take the prenatals. On top of that I also have to take iron and vitamin c which I was instructed have to be taken 2 hours before or after the prenatal AND 2 hours before or after the heartburn remedy. 

That sounds like a lot to manage!

kalanieileen

DrillSergeantCat said:

kalanieileen said:

I got a headache reading this lol

Sorry? Take a tylenol? 

I didn't mean for it to come off rude if it did. I meant, "holy crap that is a lot to manage. I don't know how you do it"

ashhsa

I try to always take them- but I do often forget, I also take a probiotic- I just started that, apparently it can help with allergies esp if you take it whilst breastfeeding, I thought it was worth a shot?!

ashleighjade90

I'm 32 weeks would it be too late the start taking them? As I'm starting to feel really sluggish all the time as my appetite has seemed to of disappeared. If so what vitamins are best to take? Thanks

dramaphile

ashleighjade90 said:

I'm 32 weeks would it be too late the start taking them? As I'm starting to feel really sluggish all the time as my appetite has seemed to of disappeared. If so what vitamins are best to take? Thanks

It's never too late, It's recommended to take them after birth as wellof you are breastfeeding. Pretty much any type of prenatal vitamin includes the minimum needed vitamins and minerals. I take the Nature's Bounty brand with DHA. If you're concerned about upset stomach, take them after dinner instead of first thing in the morning, or get a gummy prenatal.

MamaHolland

I take omega 3 & a prenatal. First trimester I took folate, b complex (sporadically), omega 3 & iron (blood builder). Then towards the end of second trinester I switched to only taking the prenatal vitamin & omega 3. I take Rainbow Light Prenatal One. It's only 1 pill per day & it has a probiotic in it. I really like it.

g8trkim

mamacastro said:

I do and I continue after baby is born while breastfeeding as doctor recommended. I do it because there are days when I don't always eat the most appropriate foods that are required for the nutrients that baby needs so the vitamins are obviously a supplement to make sure baby is still getting valuable and important nutrients like Folic Acid, iron. DHA etc.

Ditto all of this. I also took them the entire time I was nursing.

fishsticks-n-custard

MamaHolland said:

I take omega 3 & a prenatal. First trimester I took folate, b complex (sporadically), omega 3 & iron (blood builder). Then towards the end of second trinester I switched to only taking the prenatal vitamin & omega 3. I take Rainbow Light Prenatal One. It's only 1 pill per day & it has a probiotic in it. I really like it.

I take the Rainbow Light as well and love it!

cardie

Girl, I'm in the same boat. My OB recommend that I take either the prenatal at night or in the Morning and then my iron one the opposite of when I take my prenatal that way you don't have to remember how many hours it has been. And then 2 hours after you can take your prenatal you can take your Tums or what not for heartburn. Oh the joys of pregnancy.lol 

anightintunisia

I have been taking them since I found out I was pregnant. Maybe since 8 weeks. Some days I would miss if I felt sick but as someone mentioned tums helps. They also have gummy and liquid vitamins if you can't keep them down.

imakeeff0rts

I didn't read any other comments.

There are a lot of benefits to taking prenatal vitamins. For me, they're especially important because spinal deformities run in my family. Folic acid plays a crucial role in the development of the spine. It seems i(in my situation) that knowing that, it would be irresponsible for me not to take them. And I mean, it's one or two pills a day. Why not take them?

shani12345

I have a tendency toward anaemia. I have to take a pre-natal vitamin, 2 additional iron tablets, b12 and vitamin D every day.

Joness11

I take mine everyday because I'm sure there are a lot of days that I don't get enough of certain vitamins, minerals, etc from food alone. I know things like DHA, Iodine and folic acid are really important to baby's development so I want to make sure he gets enough.

RiverWhispering

My supplements have been the most expensive part of our pregnancy. I don't care how inconvenient or time consuming it may be, so long as I know I did everything I could to give this babe the right building blocks then what happens after that is just destiny. At least I know I gave it my all. From the get go I've been taking a whole food prenatal, DHA fish oil, liquid vitamin D, Mega Food's "Blood Builder," iodine, chlorella, spirulina, vitamin K2, and a probiotic. And like someone else before said, they require being taken at different times with different co-factors from your diet to be properly absorbed. Also consuming probiotic rich foods like yogurt, kimchi and saurkraut, and drinking 2-3 cups of Red Raspberry Leaf tea every day. And I cant tell you how hard it was to get those supplements down in the first trimester. 1st Tri nausea was often a horrible obstacle, but if I couldn't keep them down I'd just try again.

I don't know how much I can contribute my smooth pregnancy to the diet and supplements or how much is just luck and genetics (no one can ever tell), but my pregnancy has been great. I'm 4.5 weeks away from her due date, have had stellar blood pressure the whole time, no GD, no sign of swelling in the slightest, still high energy and no real complaints other than occasional insomnia. So hopefully all continues that way. If labor goes well and this little one (our first) is healthy, then I plan on doing the same regimen next pregnancy. But we'll see. Only time will tell. 

kyraaD

RiverWhispering said:

My supplements have been the most expensive part of our pregnancy. I don't care how inconvenient or time consuming it may be, so long as I know I did everything I could to give this babe the right building blocks then what happens after that is just destiny. At least I know I gave it my all. From the get go I've been taking a whole food prenatal, DHA fish oil, liquid vitamin D, Mega Food's "Blood Builder," iodine, chlorella, spirulina, vitamin K2, and a probiotic. And like someone else before said, they require being taken at different times with different co-factors from your diet to be properly absorbed. Also consuming probiotic rich foods like yogurt, kimchi and saurkraut, and drinking 2-3 cups of Red Raspberry Leaf tea every day. And I cant tell you how hard it was to get those supplements down in the first trimester. 1st Tri nausea was often a horrible obstacle, but if I couldn't keep them down I'd just try again.

I don't know how much I can contribute my smooth pregnancy to the diet and supplements or how much is just luck and genetics (no one can ever tell), but my pregnancy has been great. I'm 4.5 weeks away from her due date, have had stellar blood pressure the whole time, no GD, no sign of swelling in the slightest, still high energy and no real complaints other than occasional insomnia. So hopefully all continues that way. If labor goes well and this little one (our first) is healthy, then I plan on doing the same regimen next pregnancy. But we'll see. Only time will tell. 

& the mom of the century award goes to..

ecwk

RiverWhispering said:

My supplements have been the most expensive part of our pregnancy. I don't care how inconvenient or time consuming it may be, so long as I know I did everything I could to give this babe the right building blocks then what happens after that is just destiny. At least I know I gave it my all. From the get go I've been taking a whole food prenatal, DHA fish oil, liquid vitamin D, Mega Food's "Blood Builder," iodine, chlorella, spirulina, vitamin K2, and a probiotic. And like someone else before said, they require being taken at different times with different co-factors from your diet to be properly absorbed. Also consuming probiotic rich foods like yogurt, kimchi and saurkraut, and drinking 2-3 cups of Red Raspberry Leaf tea every day. And I cant tell you how hard it was to get those supplements down in the first trimester. 1st Tri nausea was often a horrible obstacle, but if I couldn't keep them down I'd just try again.

I don't know how much I can contribute my smooth pregnancy to the diet and supplements or how much is just luck and genetics (no one can ever tell), but my pregnancy has been great. I'm 4.5 weeks away from her due date, have had stellar blood pressure the whole time, no GD, no sign of swelling in the slightest, still high energy and no real complaints other than occasional insomnia. So hopefully all continues that way. If labor goes well and this little one (our first) is healthy, then I plan on doing the same regimen next pregnancy. But we'll see. Only time will tell. 

SarahFoley725

kyraaD said:

RiverWhispering said:

My supplements have been the most expensive part of our pregnancy. I don't care how inconvenient or time consuming it may be, so long as I know I did everything I could to give this babe the right building blocks then what happens after that is just destiny. At least I know I gave it my all. From the get go I've been taking a whole food prenatal, DHA fish oil, liquid vitamin D, Mega Food's "Blood Builder," iodine, chlorella, spirulina, vitamin K2, and a probiotic. And like someone else before said, they require being taken at different times with different co-factors from your diet to be properly absorbed. Also consuming probiotic rich foods like yogurt, kimchi and saurkraut, and drinking 2-3 cups of Red Raspberry Leaf tea every day. And I cant tell you how hard it was to get those supplements down in the first trimester. 1st Tri nausea was often a horrible obstacle, but if I couldn't keep them down I'd just try again.

I don't know how much I can contribute my smooth pregnancy to the diet and supplements or how much is just luck and genetics (no one can ever tell), but my pregnancy has been great. I'm 4.5 weeks away from her due date, have had stellar blood pressure the whole time, no GD, no sign of swelling in the slightest, still high energy and no real complaints other than occasional insomnia. So hopefully all continues that way. If labor goes well and this little one (our first) is healthy, then I plan on doing the same regimen next pregnancy. But we'll see. Only time will tell. 

& the mom of the century award goes to..

The most special of all of the snowflakes. 

RiverWhispering

...Sad that complaints and moaning get a bunch of "amen sister!" and fist bumps, but if you share how great things are going or how hard you've worked to... well... build a human life?... you should prepare for the stone throws. Thanks for the sarcasm ladies...

wildtot

DrillSergeantCat said:

I've been really bad about taking mine because they give me horrible heartburn and I can't take anything for the heartburn for 2 hours after I take the prenatals. On top of that I also have to take iron and vitamin c which I was instructed have to be taken 2 hours before or after the prenatal AND 2 hours before or after the heartburn remedy. 

I feel your pain I got prenatals, thyroid, iron, and meds for contractions (every six hours). Two of which are on empty stomach and three that need about 2-3 hours apart. Phone app is the only way to keep track. 

To answer OPs question. I take them every night and will continue for bfing. I don't eat as many veggies as I should. 

cmerribury

RiverWhispering said:

...Sad that complaints and moaning get a bunch of "amen sister!" and fist bumps, but if you share how great things are going or how hard you've worked to... well... build a human life?... you should prepare for the stone throws. Thanks for the sarcasm ladies...

As is often the case, you probably didn't mean to come off as smug, but you did. I can assure you that all of the women who commented here wish you and your baby nothing but the best, but you may want to read through posts to assess your tone if you are looking for 'atta boys in the future.

flowerpower5838

@riverwhispering While I don't really have an opinion either way, your post does come off a little "I'm a better parent than you already because I was nauseous too and still took my supplements" to me and I was able to keep mine down.

Like pp said, you likely didn't mean that but if I took it that way, and she took it that way, then maybe it's how/what you're posting that rubbed people the wrong way? 

jonesl12

@ecwk you crack me up

GinnyJ2012

@RiverWhispering you brought up a post that's over a month old to say how awesome you've been doing at taking your vitamins. It comes across as braggy, even if that's not how you mean it. 

katelin318

Not to perpetuate this zombie thread, but @DrillSergeantCat if you're still checking in - why did they say you couldn't take heartburn meds for two hours after taking your prenatal?  I've been working with my doctor to manage my terrible heartburn and she's never mentioned that.  Just curious if it's something specific to you or if I should ask my doc about it b/c I've definitely been taking my prenatal with lunch and then a Zantac afterwards.

2winterbabies

100% take my prenatal vitamins while I am growing a tiny one inside of me. It's not just about me anymore, it's about my LO for the 9 months. I usually take a multi vitamin even when I'm not pregnant, but feel less "guilty" if I skipped my multi vitamin.