Prenatal Vitamins - Might be the Death of Me...

DDrexler2 · June 2015

Does anyone else's body absolutely HATE prenatal vitamins?

I was taking the One-A-Day in the beginning, but I would gag every time because they tasted so bad and were so huge, I was also having major constipation issues with them; I stopped taking them in the morning and waited until after lunch which seemed to help some, but not completely. My sister suggested switching brands, so I switched to the Walmart Equate brand - these were sooo much easier to swallow without the weird taste, but my body hates them still.

I'm not sure if it's just prenatal vitamins in general or a certain brand, but at least every other day I either vomit them back up (along with anything I've eaten) within 15-20 minutes of taking them, or within 2-3 hours I have such severe constipation cramps that I am doubled over crying. I'm hoping this is just a first trimester thing (I'm 11w4d), but I'm worried that it might not be.

Anyone else have similar issues? Ideas? I am going to mention it to my doctor on 7/6, but it has been very rough the past 3 weeks....

steph_pegasus · June 2015

that sounds terrible, I'm so sorry you're dealing with that.
My last pregnancy I didn't pick the right prenatal and they had a ton of calcium in them, so the rec'd dose was 4 pills per day. And they were nasty.
Now I take one that doesn't have so much calcium, so it's just one (smaller) tablet.
I'd try taking a fiber supplement to see if that helps the constipation issues. My intake nurse this time round suggested taking the vitamin with a juice high in vit C to help with iron absorption. Take it when you're feeling your best - for me that is usually after dinner. Some ladies also have better luck taking them right before bed.

JCGMPGOGG · June 2015

I can definitely relate! The only thing that worked for me was taking them before bed..I tried after meals, switching brands etc. But I haven't had any issues since I switched to before bed! Good luck! Oh just keep them on a bedside table with a bottle of water for a good reminder.

maeg66 · June 2015

This may not be as helpful but, I bought the spring valley prenatal vitamins and then decided not to take them until I talk to my doctor at my first appointment on Wednesday. They're cheap and they have a lot of good reviews on Amazon. So personally, I haven't tried them yet to give you an answer, but a lot of people say they don't have any issues taking them!

https://www.amazon.com/Spring-Valley-Prenatal-Multivitamin-tablets/dp/B001PLHIUI

willashbaby · June 2015

Mine are about the only things that make me gag but once I get them down I'm fine. I use the honest one a day. I also take fish oil and baby aspirin and have no problems with those.

mrhargr · June 2015

I was also using the one-a-day brand and had the same issues you have. I switched to a gummy brand and it is much better.

sshulkoff · June 2015

I'm not good with vitamins even when I'm not pregnant, but I have been taking the prenatal a from vitafusion. They are gummies so they don't smell awful and pretty easy on your stomach

MrsReynolds1224 · June 2015

Have you thought of trying the gummy kind? Could help with the taste and nausea from swallowing them.

cmae6 · June 2015

I had the same problem! I'm now on my fourth brand! I recommend rainbow lite. They are all natural and even have probiotics to help with constipation. They also have a petite size and you can take 3 tiny pills throughout the day to give yourself time to adjust. So far they have been great!

DianaL92 · June 2015

Yes! I agree, the Rainbow Light prenatal petite pills have been a life saver for me. I'm thinking the ginger in them actually calm my stomach when I start to feel a little nauseous. Also, the constipation was completely gone after I started taking these. The only downside is the taste, but I quickly got over that.

Monilee1017 · June 2015

This pregnancy has been fine but my last two they made me sick, I found taking them with almond milk and breakfast really helped. I don't normally drink almond milk but I drank it none stop with my two boys. Hope this helps.

Nfleszar · June 2015

I take the gummy ones. I like them a lot actually - and they do not cause any sickness or anything. My doctor said that the gummy ones are easier to take. May want to try those?

jennaymg13 · June 2015

My OB recommended gummy vitamins. It's like taking candy! And haven't had any nausea since switching to them.

SummerOH · June 2015

Gummies! I also take extra fish oil and calcium in gummy form.

hillkat2 · June 2015

I had a similar problem. I had to get mine through a prescription. We figured out I was reacting to the fish oil in the over the counter ones. I had to actually try two different prescription kinds before I found the right now. I now take it with breakfast and feel great (I mean the vitamins aren't making me sick

) Hope this helps.

TinyDancer51510 · June 2015

I also recommend switching to the gummies. My stomach reacts badly to vitamins when I'm not pregnant so when ms hit, I had to switch to the gummies to keep anything down.

maeg66 · June 2015

How much sugar do the gummies have?

Blueyedsky · June 2015

Mine are horribly gaggy, so I cut them in half. They do wonders for digestion though since they have probiotic and other digestive support stuff in them.

blondiebrat0916 · June 2015

You might be allergic to a particular ingredient. For example, I have a carrot allergy and the concentrated beta carotene in most prenatal vitamins is from carrots so it made me sick almost right away. I had to turn to other supplements to complete the spectrum of vitamins needed while avoiding the beta carotene.

MelissaA225 · June 2015

I've been taking the One-A-Day prenatals (which are actually 2 pills...the name is misleading!) One is the prenatal (it's pink and chalky) and the other is a prenatal plus DHA (gel-MUCH easier to swallow!) I've had stomach issues with them as well, so I've been breaking the chalky prenatal in half. I take half in the morning after breakfast (don't take it without food!) and I take the other half and the DHA before bed (with a snack). This has completely taken care of all of my "tummy trouble." I hope you find something that works for you!

claireloSC · June 2015

I take mine after dinner, as being on a full stomach helps a lot. And taking them at night is way easier too. You could also get a prenatal with no iron, that will help constipation. This is the one I take and it works well for me: https://www.gardenoflife.com/Products-for-Life/Vitamin-Code/Multivitamin-Formulas/RAW-Prenatal.aspx

Ebiejay · June 2015

I dread taking mine too! I just have so much trouble swallowing it, and the smell is so powerful. I hold my breath while opening, knock it back fast with a drink, then run to wash my hands and grab a snack to treat myself, lol.

I've heard good things about gummies, though I heard somewhere that they're not recommended past the first trimester. I'm not sure where I heard that though so do your research first.

kducharme · June 2015

Have you tried the gummies?? I love them! I hated my prenatals last time but love the gummies!!

ashin121 · June 2015

I was throwing up 7-11 times because of the one a day prenatal. Then I switched to a different kind which also made me vomit several times a day. The I switched to gummies and now I throw up like 1-2 times a day. Made a huge difference. It doesn't have iron in it so I try to eat iron rich foods

tiffanylea0320 · July 2015

Try New Chapter Perfect Prenatal! I started taking the regular multivitamin by them a few years ago after the OneADay brand made me feel nauseated when I took it. Next Chapter can be taken on an empty stomach (even the most sensitive tummies) because it's made from whole foods.

l4rk · July 2015

I've heard that iron can make a lot of people really sick, so that could be what's doing you in. You could try finding a prenatal without iron, and then working with different iron supplements (if you don't get enough in your diet).

Topits · July 2015

Oh thank goodness I am not the only one! My original prenatal (Concept OB) that my Dr. gave me made me sick even before I was pregnant. I curbed it by taking it right before I went to bed. Now that I am 7 weeks and the 1st Tri symptoms are creeping up, I cannot tolerate the prenatal at all, even right before bed. Been nauseous all week in general, but every time I take my prenatal I throw up within 20 minutes. Called my doctor this AM and they said to take children's vitamins x2 a day. Apparently 2 childrens vitamins (think flinstones) are the equivalent of a prenatal.

Little unsure about this, since it seems prenatals are in a ballpark all by themselves with the folic acid and iron and stuff.... guess I am surprised that childrens vitamins are so intense.

aphilli8 · July 2015

The gummy vitamins don't have iron in them, so that's something to consider as the further along you get in your pregnancy, the higher your chance of becoming deficient.

ljalmeida · July 2015

Rainbow Light prenatal vitamins all the way. They are plant based and have ginger in them and they are the only ones of 6 I have tried that don't make me feel sick and/or extremely constipated. You can find them at any vit shop or whole foods. Good luck!

daisymomof3 · July 2015

^^^ Exactly! They have digestion support. I definitely recommend them. They can be on the pricy side. I found them at CVS for cheaper than the vit shop.

Prenatal Vitamins - Might be the Death of Me...

Re: Prenatal Vitamins - Might be the Death of Me...

Choose Another Board

Search Boards