About prenatal pills, do doctors prescribe them or do you buy them OTC?

Question

We have insurance so money won't be an issue.

Do doctors typically recommend prescribed prenatal pills or recommend OTC prenatal pills?

Are prescribed prenatal pills better?

I want my wife to have the best for our baby.

Thanks

Answer 1

yes prescribed prenatal pills are better. they are more balanced with different mineral requirements. there are several prescribed pills for different needs. such as anemia, calcium, foli acid requirements.

Answer 2

I have had 4 children...With my first baby, my doctor prescribed the vitamins, but I had such a hard time with morning sickness that my doc actually told me to take Flintstones w/Iron (yes-- the children's chewable vitamin!). He said they are easier on the stomach and just as good for Mom and Baby. With the next 2 pregnancies, I used mostly over-the-counter prenatals (or the Flintstones when I was having trouble with nausea). With my last pregnancy, I was with a different doctor, and he too said children's chewable vitamins are a good alternative for those with morning sickness (or those who can't swallow pills), but he also suggested I add supplemental folic acid and iron (esp. because I was anemic). Your wife's doctor should tell her what's best for her needs (health-wise, nutritionally, etc.). If your insurance covers prescriptions, go with the prescription prenatals, as long as it doesn't cause stomach upset. Hope this helps! May God bless you and your family!

Answer 3

Either is available, I took prescribed prenatal plus with all three of my children (with our insurance we paid $5 a month) , and until recently didn't even know you could get OTC. Your best bet would be to talk to your Doc and find out what he/she recommends.

Answer 4

The doctor should prescribe them to her. They first have to see which one agrees with her. After they decide that is when the prescribe the prenatal pills.

Answer 5

I always had mine prescribed. The Dr. can prescribe a certain kind if your are lacking a certain vitamin or mineral in your body. I think they are better than OTC cause they are more specific for your condition.

Answer 6

i would say take the prescribe prenatal pills its better. i never took the otc i took the ones my doc. prescribed.

Answer 7

Your dr typically will prescribe them tell her to beware their's sometime make nausea alot worse so there is no difference between the OTC and prescribed

Answer 8

Most doctors will give you a bottle, but you can also go to just about any local store and buy prenatal pills.

Answer 9

both are available to you... but doctors normal only prescribe them to women who cant take over the counter prenatal pills (during to allergys or something like that).

Answer 10

Prenatal vitamins such as Materna (the most widely used and popular choice) are available OTC.

Answer 11

My doctor gave me a prescription for mine with both of my pregnancies, and both times I threw the scripts out after finding that the vitamins were in the third tier for my insurance copay. $35 a month!! I asked the pharmacist about this, and he said the store brand over-the-counter ones were just as good as the name brand prescription ones. I trusted him over my doctor because while doctors know what drugs treat what conditions, pharmacists know all when it comes to drugs...how they work, side effects, etc.

Both of my boys were born 8 lb. 4 oz and 8 lb. 11 oz. respectively, and are very healthy with no defects.