Forum Index
»
Expectant and Postpartum Moms
when did you start taking prenatal vitamins?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
First timer here, and just confirmed with the OB that I'm pregnant. I'm confused about when to start taking prenatal vitamins--did you start taking as soon as you found out, or wait until your first appointment around 8 weeks?
Thanks! |
Anonymous
| Ideally you should be taking them before you get pregnant, so I would start taking them asap. You need the folic acid in the early days of pregnancy. However, I wouldn't worry about having not taken them yet - many people go without and have perfectly normal pregnancies. |
Anonymous
| Ditto the PP. I started prenatals before we even began TTC. Congrats on your pregnancy! |
Anonymous
| Yes, I would at least make sure you are taking a folic acid supplement starting right now, and then you can switch at your first appointment to whatever prenatal your doctor prescribes or recommends. Folic acid is most important during the first few weeks, so don't wait (but ditto the PP not to worry, either -- just start now!). |
Anonymous
| OP here--thanks so much for the quick responses. I've been taking a multivitamin for women with higher levels of folic acid, so I'm hoping there was enough built up to do the trick. I was surprised that the doctor said I didn't need to start taking prenatal vitamins until my first visit at 8 weeks--I've read all sorts of stuff that said I should have been taking them for months now. But what's done is done, so I guess I'm going to have to chill and carry on! |
Anonymous
| Maybe your doctor will give you a prescription for them and that's what will wait. Sounds like the multi vitamin you've been taking is adequate. |
Anonymous
|
my pregnancy was unplanned, but i started taking them as soon as I found out, at 3 weeks. i'd been taking a multivitamin before that, and had a good diet with plenty of folic acid-rich veggies, so i didn't worry about the delay. i'd probably start taking them now if i were you, and then you can switch to whatever your doctor prescribes.
you might also want to up your iron intake if you have any history of low iron, and maybe add some calcium. (just don't take your iron and calcium at the same time.) |
Anonymous
|
Yes, I was taking folic acid months before I got pregnant. I switched to prenatals when we were aggressively TTC.
Remember, your body has two lives to support and that requires a lot of extra work (and calories, vitamins, blood vessel formation, water, etc.) so start popping those pre-natals to get that extra boost. |
Anonymous
| I started taking them about 6 months before I got pregnant. |
Anonymous
| I took them while TTC. The recommendation is to start taking them then - before conception. If you were taking a multivitamin regularly before you got pregnant, and you have a good diet, you're probably fine on the folic acid. I do think it's odd that your dr. would say you don't need to take them until 8 weeks. Just start taking them now - you'll be fine. |
Anonymous
| You can purchase prenatal vitamins over the counter. I know Whole Foods has them. I'd go out and get a bottle for now to at least tide you over until you meet with your doctor - although they may tell you to just continue taking the OTC ones. |
Anonymous
| OP again. I'm trying not to freak out (I eat well and have been taking a daily multivitamin for women), but everything here and everything online suggests that I should have been on prenatals for months now! I asked my doc before my husband decided to go for it, and she said I didn't need to be on them, and I asked again when the blood test confirmed and she said she'd give me a prescription when I come in for the 8 week checkup. I'm baffled.... and mildly panicky... but there's nothing to do but stock up and start popping those pills, I guess. Thanks again to everyone for the feedback. |
Anonymous
| Ooops--meant to say "my husband and I decided to go for it" |
Anonymous
This is so irresponsible of your doctor, IMO. I have a friend whose doctor said the same thing to her and I was floored. I'm sure there is folic acid in your multivitamin and that you're fine (so please don't panic), but she should have told you how critical folic acid is in those first few weeks. The neural tube is fully formed at 28 days gestation (about 6 weeks from LMP). That's the critical time to have adequate folic acid stores. |
Anonymous
|
I'm glad this topic was posted.
I have been taking a multi-vitamin for months, but today a friend suggested 'prenatal' vitamins are actually prescribed by the doctor. Do these prescribed vitamins differ from the over the counter multivitamins that we all take now? Sorry to ask a repeat question - but when are expectant mothers supposed to switch over? |