PNV: what are you taking?

penelopemaria · June 2014

For my first pregnancy I was taking perfect prenatal - very expensive but they didn't upset my stomach. A few months ago I read something about how the company sold and the new company change the ingredients and they're no longer 100% natural. So now I'm shopping for a new PNV. I'm in Canada so my options may be limited.. I've tried Jameson, Life brand, Centrum and Materna.. all of them upset my stomach with Jameson being the worst.

Any other recommendations?

TIA!

WhiskyandWhiskers · June 2014

I'm taking Raw Prenatal, and they seem to be okay with my stomach and nausea. When I'm out I take Nature Made vitamins, they're also okay with me.

rayschicky · June 2014

I'm also in Canada - I get mine from Costco because I'm cheap lol I've also used Walmart brand. I'm not sure what the iron content in those ones are compared to the ones you've tried but I've heard its usually the iron that causes upset stomach - you may want to try and find one that has a lower dose.

PHNJenna · June 2014

Trader Joes, they taste pretty bad but don't upset my stomach!

janda426 · June 2014

Target brand gummies, they're the generic version of the One a Day gummies

beckynsean11 · June 2014

I take the vitafusion gummies. They don't have iron, but that's why they don't upset my stomach. I switch to one with iron each time I get a bfp. I find that taking those before bed with a glass of milk helps.

Trampslikeus · June 2014

Rainbow Light. And I actually think its made me more regular. I have a tendency to be on the anemic side to begin with so the iron was probably good for me - no upset stomach or any kind of side effects.

But the best part was when I bought them, the checkout lady looked at the bottle, then looked me up and down and said "hunny, you need to start EATING for two!"

Thanks, Dr. Target, what would I do without you!!

JNCPro3130 · June 2014

I take prenatal plus. It's what my OB prescribed.

luciferous · June 2014

Another vote for the Rainbow Light. I chose them because they are food-based and have "non-constipating iron". Before starting PNV I was taking a Women's One-a-Day and I haven't noticed a difference in anything really since the switch - though loads of people have commented on my hair...which is just weird sometimes.

beepity · June 2014

MrsWaffles said:

FLFishOutOfWater said:

I take Rainbow Light Prenatal One. In the past I've had issues with multivitamins in general (upset stomach, weird taste, etc) but I do okay with these.

I take Petite version of these. I take 3 throughout the day with meals and do not experience any upset stomach or other side effects. Amazon has had the best prices I can find.

Oooooh I'm going to look these up! I take the ONE version and have to psych myself up not to gag on it daily.

KatzKiss · June 2014

I take walmart brand gummies that don't have iron because it upsets my stomach. Then I take a slow release iron supplement called Slow Fe.

cdubs85 · June 2014

Vitafusion gummes and an additional folic acid supplement. I have never had an upset stomach with the gummies, but as PPs said they don't contain iron.

ETA: spelling errors

BillyHorrible · June 2014

The Whole Foods brand.

Segoody · June 2014

I take whatever is available at whatever store I'm in when I remember "oh, shit!!! I need pnvs!" I keep them on our dining room table and take them right after dinner. I have noticed no difference in any brands....other than Walmart pills are huge!

JellicalParker · June 2014

I take a gummy vitamin brand that Sprouts, Whole Foods and GNC sell. They have the least amount of iron which really upsets my stomach.

cateyes543 · June 2014

I too am another who takes the rainbow light ones as they do not cause me an upset stomach and I have no trouble taking them.

proudtobeazebra · June 2014

I take Garden of Life raw PNVs - the pills are huge, but not bad to get down, and I have experienced no stomach upset (and I used to be the person who puked within 5 minutes of taking anything).

BabyCowbell · June 2014

I take New Chapter and like them a lot.

FJM85 · June 2014

I hope it's okay if I jump in and ask a pnv related question:

How important is it to take a pnv vs normal vitamin? I compared the pnv I used to a normal vitamin for women - the difference is negligible. I do take extra folic acid though. The reason is that the pnv's are much more expensive than regular vitamins.

Will this be fine as long as I get the extra vitamin boost?

PS: the gummy vitamins sounds yummy :P If I was from the US I would definitely try them

Wine&Cupcakes · June 2014

I also take Rainbow Light....

@FJM85 - I believe that PNVs are more highly regulated due to their higher micronutrient content so I'd say there is a slight benefit to that. I also think that taking an extra folic acid boost in addition to a regular vitamin may suffice but obviously check with your doctor...once pregnant the baby will begin to deplete your iron & calcium stores, among others, so you may need to amp it up. I buy a month's worth of Rainbow Lights at Whole Foods for like $12.50...which maybe is like $5 more expensive than what I used to buy at CVS? Or just as expensive?

FJM85 · June 2014

@Wine&Cupcakes - what you say actually makes sense. Unfortunately where I'm from the pnv's are like almost double. But is does make sense that it would be worth I - so I'll just finish the ones I have then switch. Luckily I have till Aug, so for right now it will suffice.

scw89 · June 2014

I take Target's Up&Up brand PNV's, just the basic ones. I don't know if they're actually any good but they're reasonably priced and don't upset my stomach.

Cythe · June 2014

@FJM85‌ I've also got the Target brand gummies, but they've got no iron in them. My understanding is the purpose of pnvs before pregnancy is to get stores of folic acid. You may want to switch after you get your BFP, just as I will (or add a supp).

lilsneezy · June 2014

scw89 said:

I take Target's Up&Up brand PNV's, just the basic ones. I don't know if they're actually any good but they're reasonably priced and don't upset my stomach.

+1

Ladymouse · June 2014

Rainbow Light Prenatal One. I had to switch to VitaFusion during the depths of morning sickness, but Rainbow Light is my preference. I went with the Prenatal One because I have a hard enough time remembering to take vitamins once a day.

Unknown · June 2014

This content has been removed.

Snickerdoodle24 · June 2014

Rainbow Light. I've also taken New Chapter Perfect Prenatal in the past and it didn't upset my stomach either.

getnauti · June 2014

I take the Vitafusion gummy PNV vitamins. Last time, a few different brands hurt my stomach but these were fine.

crburros · June 2014

I'm trying out the Enfamil prenatals. One easy to swallow soft gel and one huge gag worthy pill. I might try a different brand or gummies next. I can't remember what brand I took with DD though. It had been prescribed for me by my OB.

hydrangea1019 · June 2014

I use Nature Made PNVs. I take them in the middle of dinner and they haven't upset my stomach.

MrsC0617 · June 2014

I take VitaFusion gummies as well. GTK that they don't have iron... I was focused on folic acid so I didn't even notice! I love them and actually look forward to taking them. They're a great after dinner sweet. Hahaha!

OnceInLoveWithAmy · June 2014

I don't take an actual PNV-- I take utrophin, cod liver oil and catalyn.

BostonAlison · June 2014

Taking a chewable that my OBGYN Prescribed... It's cheaper then buying OTCs for me.

holliberry28 · June 2014

I also take Rainbow Light, but wanted to go back to New Chapter Perfect Prenatal. Are you sure they've changed the ingredients even though the company was sold? It still has the USDA organic label on it..

jacqueleen1 · June 2014

I take the prenatal vitamins my doctor prescribed me. The script only says prenatal vitamins on the label but they are oval and reddish brown . Don't know if that even helps haha

myatala · June 2014

Over the past 5 years I've taken several brands. None have upset my stomach but there were pros/cons to each.

New Chapter Perfect Prenatal
Pro: food-based, not superhuge pills
Con: I'm bad about remembering to take multiple doses of vitamins a day (plus now I need a once-daily vitamin because I have to take vitamins opposite my thyroid med), expensive

Rainbow Light Prenatal One
Pro: food-based, just one dose a day
Con: big pill, again pricier than the not-fancy-organic brands

Target up&up
Pro: low cost, just one dose a day, not as big a pill as the Rainbow Light Prenatal One
Con: not food-based, doesn't have all the fancy additionals of the Rainbow Light or New Chapter vitamins

I haven't bothered with DHA supplements. I try to eat actual fish.

I take an extra 4mg of folic acid per day (per my OB's instructions). I bought the Nature Made brand last time because they were the only ones Target had (and they were on sale, bonus). I'm going to look for 1mg tablets next time I need to restock though because taking 10 400mcg tablets every night is a pain in the ass.

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PNV: what are you taking?

Re: PNV: what are you taking?

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