Prenatal Vitamins?

Question

Is it really harmful not to take them while pregnant? I'm currently 4 1/2 monthes pregnant and don't take them everyday. I have a really hard time with talking pills but I don't want to harm my baby..

Do you think I've already caused damages to my baby since I am 4 1/2 months?

Answer 1

they are so important you need the folic acid especially

Answer 2

As long as you eat a balanced diet that contains the nutrients yoru baby will need, you won't damage anything by not taking them everyday.

I also have a hard time taking pills, and I know I did a terrible job of making sure to take one everyday. And some days when I did take one, it would come back up a little while later. And I was two months along when I found out I was pregnant, so for all that time, I didn't take any! My son is almost a year old now, and very healthy.

The thing is, the baby will get what he needs to grow. He(or she) will reap the benifits of the vitamins, or else he will pull it from what *your* body is trying to use. He'll use the calcium from your bones to make his own, and so on. So by not taking the vitamins, you are hurting yourself a little bit more than the baby.

Try your best to take them (and like others have said, try the folic acid pills too, if your dr. agrees), but on the days you can't get them down, don't freak out. Your baby isn't going to be born with serious defects because of it. Try to make sure to eat as healthy as you can. Drink lots of milk, if you can stomach it, or yogurt (check the labels for the ones that have a low percentage of sugar- the Weight Watchers brand is surprisingly good, even though I'm not on that diet). Eat spinach for the folic acid, and at least one serving of each different color of fruits and veggies (like a serving of green beans, one of carrots, blueberries, banana, etc.)

Good luck and congratulations!

Answer 3

Hi there. Truthfully I would have to say that yes, it is actually that important. I don't want to dwell on the harm that could have already been done because there is no point in that. The important thing would be for you to start taking them right now and to make a promise to yourself that you will keep taking them until you are no longer nursing your baby.
The reason that prenatal vitamins are so important is because some of the essential vitamins and minerals that they provide would be almost impossible to get in sufficient quanities just from the foods you eat. A good example of this is Folic Acid which is essential for protein synthesis. Most doctors and nutritionists will encourage a woman who is trying to conceive to start taking prenatal vitamins even before she is pregnant. That is because the most urgent need for them can occurr in those early weeks before the pregnancy is diagnosed. In those early weeks, major organs are forming and the need for prenatal vitamins is great. Once the major organs are all formed your nutritional needs continue to be great as the baby will deplete your body of what you need to be healthy.
Remember when you are pregnant your health is essential for the baby's health. Taking care of yourself is taking care of your baby.
It is true that some women will experience some nausea from their vitamins. The best way around this is to take them at bedtime. If they upset your stomach you will sleep right through it.
Taking good care of yourself is the best thing you can do for your baby right now.
Blessings
Lady Trinity~

Answer 4

It's important but you are the one that suffers vitamin deficiency- the baby takes from you and you are left with nothing. Provided that you have been eating a healthy diet, balanced with the right nutrients, your baby has probably been getting nourished to a satisfactory level. However, the folic acid as some pointed out, is very important at the first stages of pregnancy in particular and most people don't get enough in the first place.

I wouldn't worry at this point, just resolve to meet your dietary needs by planning sensible meals, packed with the nutrients you both need, and take those vitamins as often as you can!

Good Luck!

Answer 5

YOu should try kids vitamins that are chewable. I am 7 weeks and I'm currently taking chicldrens vitamins because i too can not swallow pills, especially the horse pills they give you...yuck!! The ones i take are chewable and dont taste as bad and do contain the recommened folic acid in them which is very important for the baby. I havent talked to my doctor about me taking the chewable ones yet.....but i dont see the harm in it.

Answer 6

You do need prenatals to be sure that the baby and you get the vitamins, iron and folic acid that you need. If you hate vitamins seriously try flinstons or the gummy ones. & eat lots of food high is folic acid. Just ask your doc what the right dossage would be. Good luck!

Answer 7

Very dangerous not to take them. Folic acid is essential in developing the neurlogical system in a fetus and there isn't a whole lot of folic acid naturally occuring in our every day diets. The baby will take the nutrients it needs regardless if you supliment or not, it'll just take it from your body.

Iron and folic adic are essential in the development of the neurological system and mustle development. If there isn't enough iron in your system to sustain the growth of the baby plus your own needs you can become anemic and can get nerve issues such as RLS (very annoying).

Calcium is essential in the development of bones. If there is not enough in your system to sustain the growth of the baby plus your own needs your bones will become softer and more brittle causing extreme pain in your pelvis as you get further along and massive back aches.

Also as you get to be about 30w-36w as your amniotic fluid levels peak without the extra nutrients your body can't produce enough and can lead to oligohydramnios aka low amniotic fluid which is dangerous for the baby.

If you are having trouble taking the pills try Orfer-F they are small, about the size of a tylenol and are coated so they go down easy. Also take them before you go to bed that way any upset it might give you will happen while you sleep.

Answer 8

The most crucial time to take prenatals is in the first trimester. Now, its a little less important and not taking them will hurt you more than your baby. If the pills make you naseous, try taking them during a meal. Or try splitting them in half if you have a hard time swallowing them.

Answer 9

Prenatal vitamins are not really necessary, also there is some new evidence to suggest that routine iron supplimentation is detrimental to most pregnancies.

Try to eat well and if you are worried take a chewable vitamin... any good quality vitmain just make sure it has LESS than 2000 IU vitamin A.

About folic acid, I have to disagree. Yes it is hard to get folic acid in your diet, if you were eating what you grow yourself. However by law all flour, most grains, all cereal and plenty of other foods have folic acid added. So you are getting a lot if you eat a standard North American diet

Answer 10

I had the same problem. I don't like swallowing pills everyday. It is extremely important that you take them. Even if you are eating healthy, it does not compare to the benefits prenatal vitamins provide. I know it's hard, but do your best to take them everyday. You will get used to it...

Answer 11

you should defintiely take them. they help your baby get all the nurtition they need. if you eat healthy it still doesnt matter because you need to take in wnough nutrition for the both of you so YES its important you take them PLUS they contain folic acid which is HUGE in preventing retardation and disabilities in the fetus!! its never too late to start you should have stuck with them every day but all is not lost just make sure you do take them every night before bed. its worth it dont think of it as "pill popping" think of it as additional health food for your baby!