Thinking about having kids...?

Question

My hubby and I are thinking of trying in the next year. I've been told by coworkers and friends to start taking prenatal vitamins now. Any thoughts???

Answer 1

Yes it is a very good idea to start now. The prenatal vitamins benefit the baby more early on in the pregnancy, most likely when you don't even know yet, while the spinal cord is being made. If you are taking them when you get pregnant all of those nutrients will go to your baby. Way to plan ahead!
Here are some sites on prenatals and the benefits. At the clinic I work at we put everyone who is trying at least on folic acid if they cannot use prenatals (they make some women sick). If you aren't pregnant, breastfeeding or trying they aren't the best vitamin to take because it will give you more than you need of everything but you can still take it with no harm to your body.

http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/prenatalvitamins/a/aa043000a.htm

http://www.drspock.com/article/0,1510,11165,00.html

http://www.pregnancyweekly.com/pregnancy_health_fitness/prenatal_vitamins.htm

Answer 2

Yeah, that is a good idea. I had 3 kids and my husband and I went on a cruise (yeah, don't say it!) in Nov. 2002 and I got pregnant. Well, I didn't know that I could get pregnant without Clomid (a fertility drug). In Feb. of 2003, it had been 90 days since my last period and having IRRERULAR cycles, I decided to take a test and it came out positive. Well! I had to do all the normal pregnancy test and one came out positive for a chromosomal disorder called Trisomy 18. I had to go to a Maternial/Fetal Specialist and then an amniocentsis and, in the end, that Aug. 2003, I had a beautiful baby boy. Long story short, if I had taken the vitamins I might not have had to go through all that testing and worry. I don't know if you have a Kroger grocery store or a Wal-mart, but you can get vitamins over the counter. I would also recommand that you go have a pap test and talk to your doctor and he/she might give you a Rx for vitamins. I think, being a mother of 4 kids, that it is a small thing to do and its vitamins and what can it really hurt?

Answer 3

I have a 3-year old daughter and she is my life, Kids are great! It probably wouldn't hurt to start taking prenatal vitamins right now, If ,and when you do get pregnant ask your Doctor about the prenatal vitamin Prenate GT, its a little expensive, but its wonderful... good luck

Answer 4

You don't have to take prenatals to get extra folic acid. Just drink orange juice and eat citrus fruits. Prenatals are designed for so much extra in vitamins than the average lady really needs. Just take a multi-vitamin if you feel that you need it. The extra folic acid is really for the development of the fetus, especially it's beginning brain development. Good luck.

Answer 5

I would advise a regular one a day vitamin, until you are pregnant. Then start taking prenatal vitamins. Prenatal vitamins specifically designed to help you and the baby. Because your baby will take nutrition away from you to feed it's own needs it will greatly reduce your nutrients, so the prenatal gives you more nutrients so charing with your baby does not deplete what you need. Your body will just waist the excess. I would suggest starting the prenatal vitamin as sson as you know you are pregnant.

Answer 6

Absolutely, you can take prenatals all your life according to my doctor. I started mine the day I went off my BC, and was on them for 6 moths before I got pregnant. It's a great way to make sure you have a very healthy body and lots of folic acid in your system, because we now know that will help prevent certain birth defects.

I have read that it is also good to take a seperate trace mineral suppliment once you are pregnant. My doc said it won't hurt, but you might not be able to keep it down the first few weeks, zinc is usally in it and can cause tummy aches. Not good on top of morning sickness!

Arrow down below the ads in the article below, I think it will help.

Good luck, have fun and hopefully you will be pregnant soon!

Answer 7

I am a nutritionist
skip the prenatals and take regular vitamins, prenatals have too much iron to take if you are not pregnant and are lower in most other vitamins and minerals than good multis

Answer 8

Definitely start taking them now if you are planning on getting pregnant. The folic acid they provide is an essential mineral needed by the baby, especially during the first six weeks of pregnancy, that helps prevent birth defects of the brain and spinal cord. You will already be at least 2 weeks along when you know you're pregnant, so it's better if the folic acid is already in your system while you're trying.

Here is an article from the March of Dimes on the subject:

http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/173_769.asp

Answer 9

Yes, take prenatal vitamins and get ur folic acid and relax, don't let it be on ur mind while u are having sex because u will not enjoy ur sexual experience. Just have fun and enjoy the intimacy.

Good Luck!

Answer 10

Yes, it is a good idea to take prenatals when you are trying to get pregnant. Lack of folic acid can cause spinal bifida and you won't know you are pregnant until you are a few weeks along.