PreNatal Vitamins

Does anyone have any suggestions on a prenatal vitamin or one that they are currently taking?

I am tkaing one called PremCare or PreCare-  it's a prescription my doc gave me.  But my freind took one from GNC that worked well for her.  I would just stay away from pre-natals that have any herbal supplements included in them; since you don't know how it would affect baby.

I take the Pre-Natal from Nature Made.  They don't make me sick, and aren't so big I can't swallow them.  You can also get them at a really reasonable price at Costco. 

I'm just taking the store brand from my local grocery store again.  I showed it to my doctor, and he okay'd it the first time around.  They don't leave a bad after taste, are easy to swallow, and relatively inexpensive.   

Thanks guys!  I am going to do some browsing at The Vitamin Shoppe and Central Market this weekend to find one that I like.  :)

Hi ladies,

I have a question that is slightly different, but about prenatal vitamins. I was taking them before I joined CC and then stopped because we decided to wait on babies, but we're probably going to start trying this summer. Now I'm into a pretty good diet and exercise regiem, but I'm wondering, has anyone gained weight from their prenatal vitamins? (minus baby, of course) I'd like to start taking them a few months before I plan on getting pregnant, but I'd also like to keep losing weight before I get pregnant. I have a prescription called Ethex, if anyone is familiar. Thanks!

Jennifer

liljdoll, I didn't know there was a benefit from taking pre-natals prior to pregnancy (unless while you are actually trying - that makes sense). My doctor suggests just a multi with a full supplement's worth of folic acid prior to conception. Not sure about the weight gain issue...

Well, I would start taking them because we were thinking of trying for a baby in the summer. I heard that taking them a month minimum before trying to get pregnant is good because it helps build up the folic acid in your system. I had a friend who also took them after she got pregnant until her morning sickness got too bad from swallowing pills. Thanks for the reply, and yes, the pills I have are the good ones from the doc. Still curious about the weight gain issue though...

Jennifer 

I also took the NatureMade Prenatal and am still taking them (my baby is 4 mths today) The doc told me to keep taking them while breast feeding but said that I should also take Expecta Lipil (you can find them at any drugstore) which has DHA which he said helps improve brain and eye development in the baby. The pediatrician also said I should have taken them while I was pregnant. If I had known I would have! Taking both of them together gives everything you need for the baby and is still less expensive than the RX ones. BTW my nails and hair are growing like crazy and I attribute it to the vitamins :)

juliamom, my OB/Gyn told me that it didn't really matter if I take Expecta Lipil now (while pregnant), but I didn't think to ask the pediatrician at the last visit.  My OB was pretty insistant that since the product is fairly new, there is no real research stating how beneficial it may be during pregnancy.  He did say that it is highly recommended to take it after the baby is born since it helps develop brain function.  Anyway, I don't know who is right or wrong in regards to taking it during pregnancy, but I wanted to offer my doctor's opinion so you don't feel bad about not taking them right away.  :)  I had been taking all the free samples I receieved, but after my doctor told me he didn't think it was neccessary, I decided not to purchase any until after I deliver. 

I selected the DuetDHAec to try first.  She also provided samples of PremCare that Vanessa mentioned. 

PremCare makes me nauseaous, so I have to take at night.  But what I like about it is its the only vitamin that I don't have an aftertaste with.  I'm so glad your doc gave you something you liked.  It's the little things that make us happy-  one less thing to worry about.  But, question-  does your's have Vitamin A??  Mine doesn't, which I find strange.

Yes, it does.  That is actually what made me choose the DuetDHA(ec) over the PremCare. 

I started taking my prenatal vitamins the same day i stopped my pill form of birth control. i continued with CC and lost weight up until i actually got pregnant. i don't think the prenatals affected my weight.

Original Post by vanessa1031:

But, question-  does your's have Vitamin A??  Mine doesn't, which I find strange.

I just checked and this is the contents of the PreNatal:

DuetDHA(ec)

Each Yellow Oval Duet Tablet Contains:
Vitamins A - 3000IU
Vitamin C - 120mg
Vitamin D - 400IU
Vitamin E - 3mg
Vitamin B1 - 1.8mg
Vitamin B2 - 4mg
Niacinamide - 20mh
Vitamin B6 - 25mg
Folic Acid - 1mg
Vitamin B12 - 12mcg
Calcium - 200mg
Iron - 29mg
Magnesium - 25mg
Zinc - 25mg
Copper - 2mg

Each Frosted Golden-Colored Oval Enteric-Coated DHA Softgel Capsule Contains:
400mg purified Omega-3 fatty acids including:
At least 275mg DHA; also contains EPA and other omega-3 fatty acids