Prenatal vitamin OTC vs RX?

northbeach3 · February 2018

Hi ladies,

what prenatal vitamin are you using? did your RE prescribe a prenatal vitamin? i was originally prescribed vitafol but don't think it's covered by my insurance. my nurse said to call the insurance to see what was covered... this is the list I found... any good ones on there? she said she'd call in whatever I picked.

most are still tier 3 so will be ~$65-75 / month! do i even really need an RX prental? would OTC (what I've been using) still work?

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/tx/r686lrsptepc.jpg

edited to add that I'm currently taking SmartyPants gummies and chose these bc it has FOLATE and not FOLIC acid. I learned that I have the MTHFR compound heterozygous mutation that can impair my ability to process folic acid.

cdepperschmidt · February 2018

I use the ones from Target. Although I didn’t realize there were perscription ones.

Gizmo1231 · February 2018

I'm taking One A Day Women's prenatal. Worked great my other pregnancies!

keiragann · February 2018

I’m using these

olivemomma · February 2018

I take naturemade prenatal + DHA. This is number 3 for me and my third OB during pregnancy (we have moved a lot, hence a different Ob for each) and have never been recommended a prescription prenatal from anyone. I can’t imagine why an OTC wouldn’t be just fine and waaay cheaper!

kiwi2628 · February 2018

The ones I take (and then I found out my RE recommends them) are the Rainbow Light Prenatal. Just bewarned- the Vit B in there makes your pee highlighter yellow!

pebbledam · February 2018

I've been taking these. My OB said an OTC prenatal was fine for me.

blee530 · February 2018

I'm taking whatever Costco carries. My RE had given me a prescription because with insurance it could be cheaper than OTC, but it was just easier to pick up OTC.

blee530 · February 2018

kiwi2628 said:

The ones I take (and then I found out my RE recommends them) are the Rainbow Light Prenatal. Just bewarned- the Vit B in there makes your pee highlighter yellow!

That's a good heads up! I'd freak out if my pee was bright yellow

koala1107 · February 2018

I take the smarty pants too because of the folate vs folic acid. I’m comfortable taking them instead of a prescription, they’re just as good, cheaper, and tastier!

knitfastdiewarm · February 2018

I take the same as @olivemomma The Naturemade + DHA. I also take a Vit D supplement because I had low Vit D my last pregnancy.

mrskitch · February 2018

I didn't know they made RX prenatals, but that makes sense. I'm using the generic version of women's one a day prenatal vitamins, calcium and vitamin d.

krash_ · February 2018

**lurking**

@northbeach3 if you are looking for a prenatal that is specifically folate and not folic acid I would recommend the Garden of Life Vitamin Code prenatal. I get them on Amazon with subscribe and save so they end being about $20/month. They do not contain DHA so I take a separate DHA supplement (also by Garden of Life).

labdoor.com is a great resource for vitamins. They evaluate vitamins based on what the actually contain vs what they claim they contain.

lday1983 · February 2018

I used an Rx with my other pregnancies and they were free! (curious if that will still be the case this time around?) I have been taking Target brand since TTC and will probably have my OB call in the script once these are gone.

twinpeaksmama · February 2018

I take the Olly Prenatal vitamins from Target. They are the only prenatal vitamins that don't make me want to vomit. I took them during my first pregnancy as well and my OB said they were fine.

northbeach3 · February 2018

lday1983 said:

I used an Rx with my other pregnancies and they were free! (curious if that will still be the case this time around?) I have been taking Target brand since TTC and will probably have my OB call in the script once these are gone.

do you remember the name of your RX ones? i just asked the nurse to call in the "Prenate DHA"... but i dont think my walgreens carries it. i think i'm just gonna look up the values of each component and try to mirror it with OTC.

@krashke thanks for the rec for garden of life... i'll check it out. my RE said the MTHFR mutation was bunk and it may be... but i think, if there are vitamins that already have a natural folic acid (i.e., folate), why not just take those?

holly_owensmom · February 2018

I’ve been buying the CVS brand prenatal gummies. The last two times I was at CVS they were buy one get one.

lday1983 · February 2018

northbeach3 I don't remember, it was back in 2015. I'm seeing the same ob, so I can find out what the are currently prescribing.

JLaVO888 · February 2018

*lurker*

I’m a big rainbow light fan. They have a ton of calcium which I love because I’m lactose intolerant. Also, with my first pregnancy they were the only ones that didn’t make me vomit. They are very light on the stomach.

SeaParrot · February 2018

I take folic acid and add iron in the second and third trimester because that’s what the evidence shows is beneficial and it’s cheap.

Lisa3379 · February 2018

Also using the Vitafusion gummies... pretty tasty. I actually never stopped taking them after my DS was born over a year ago.

greencraftycello · February 2018

Another vote for Rainbow Light. I use the certified organic ones, and they are very easy on my stomach.

sphinx24 · February 2018

I got prescribed PregVit which are supposed to be a combination of folic acid and other needed vitamins and minerals. Expensive for what they are.

My RE was totally opposed to OTC. *shrug

Honestly, after what we've spent on IVF treatments, medication, travel and appointments though it's a drop in the bucket!

lilyaster · February 2018

I’m also taking the smarty pants gummies because I have MTHFR and I get tired of swallowing horse pills.

Kate437 · February 2018

I take prescription just because it is cheaper for me.

drb2424 · February 2018

I am currently choking own One a day prenatal soft gels. Last time I used the gummies and took iron separately. I may switch to that again after this bottle is finished. I have such a hard time swallowing pills and my gag reflex is so sensitive

kimberbeep · February 2018

I'm currently taking the Rainbow Lite Petite Pre-natal pills but have considered switching to Smarty Pants, especially since it contains folate (instead of folic acid) and DHA. I've tried two DHA supplements and both gave me gross burps. The only reason I haven't switched sooner is because the Rainbow Lite contains a little more of each vitamin as well as calcium.

I have a spreadsheet comparing 4 different types and I'm frustrated that there's not one "clear winner"!!

northbeach3 · February 2018

i can't argue with the smartypants gummies... they're really tasty (but you have to eat 6 each day for the correct serving size). it's better than some of the other horse pills i took that made my pee neon or made me constipated. i just wish they included iron, but i guess i could be supplementing.

cdepperschmidt · February 2018

I don’t think I could choke down gummy vitamins. DS tried to give me a fruit snack today and I had to spit it out.

Mufflerlove · February 2018

My doctor always prescribes PregVit. After 2 pregnancies I warned her I am terrible at taking them and please pick a one a day pill. It’s because you have to take one in the morning on an empty stomach and one at night with food. Plus I’m always on other things while pregnant that get taken completely separately. It’s a headache. She said it’s the only RX one she can prescribe though. I’ll do my best to remember again...

krgriffin26 · February 2018

I take 2 Flintstone chewables with Iron, DHA and folic acid.

Prenatal vitamin OTC vs RX?

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