I keep hearing that you should take this before you get pregnant. I recently found out I was, I'm heading into week 7 and have not been taking it. Can I start now? Should I take it the whole time? What foods can I also eat to get this? What other foods or viitamins should I being eating more of? What should I avoid?
2007-02-06 19:32:41 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
don't freak out about it! people like inserting this "fear" that you have to take vitamins and go on a healthy eating regime and everything. babies are strong regardless! if you really want to, start taking folic acid, its not too late; and dont worry about not having taken them from the beginning - a lot of women fall pregnant without pre-planning hence no folic acid "before" the pregnancy! The doctor will tell you what you can and can't have when you go in for your checkup i.e. salami, oysters, uncooked meat, sushi, salmon. You can still eat these foods; they're just precautionary tips!
PLEASE Dont change your diet: if you were healthy enough to fall pregnant you're doing just fine - as I said earlier the doctor will keep u posted!
2007-02-06 19:53:24 · answer #1 · answered by ilovecokeacole 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
yes start taking it now, it wont hurt and you can buy it over the counter either by itself or in a prenatal vitamin. I actually doubled up the folic acid by taking an additional supplement with my prenatal since the OTC were cheaper than the prescription ones the doc gives but just contained less folic acid. Most foods that are enriched such as pasta and bread contain folate as well as some green veggies etc...
Youll also want to up your calcium intake but make sure your supplement is from a non shellfish source since those can contain mercury contaminants. Also look into a DHA/ARA supplement for pregnant/nursing women, its an amino acid that is important for brain and eye development. Vitamin E is also another good one to up in your diet. When you go on your first prenatal visit your doctor will give you a list of foods to avoid....many are very obvious such as canned tuna (mercury), and other types of fish, undercooked foods, and too much junk food.
You will find the extra iron in your diet will be binding you may want to invest in prunes which are naturally best.
2007-02-06 19:47:31 · answer #2 · answered by Jessica J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The brain develops throughout pregnancy, it's never too late. Plus prenatals are good for other things besides folic acid.
2016-05-24 02:18:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Better late than never! Yes, you should have taken it earlier than this, but don't beat yourself up about it. Make sure that you are taking it until the end of your pregnancy, and things will be fine. You should be eating foods that are rich in iron, and prenatal vitamins are a great way of helping you get both of these sources. Your doctor can also prescribe you iron pills if he/she sees fit, or maybe even at your request. You should limit your intake of caffeine,as it can raise the fetus' heartrate, and salty products if you are prone to retaining water. Listen to your doctor - ask as many questions as you can, and that you are really curious about. That's what you're paying them for, and that's their job. Good luck and God bless you and your baby!
2007-02-06 20:34:49 · answer #4 · answered by Jana Q 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No its not to late to start taking the vitamins. I suggest you just go to the store like a CVS and buy prenatal vitamins. take them as directed and when you go for a doctors appointment ask them all of the questions you are wondering about vitamins. They may tell you to just take the vitamins because they will suply you with what you need. They may perscribe you a different kind of prenatal vitamins. Dont take anything extra unless your doctor tells you to. Too much of certain vitamins can have neg effects on you and the baby. Like vitamin A.
so just go to a drug store buy prenatal vitamins and take them as directed then bring them with you to your appointment. They should also tell you what foods to stay away from and if they dont then you can always ask them.
2007-02-06 20:19:50 · answer #5 · answered by Jenn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An adequate maternal intake of folic acid (0.4mg/day) before and after conception decreases the risk of having a child with a neural tube defect.
2007-02-06 20:33:19 · answer #6 · answered by reggie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hurry and take it!
It will reduce the risk that your baby will be born with a birth defect involving incomplete development of the brain and spinal cord!!!
2007-02-06 21:59:20 · answer #7 · answered by JenGem 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah. Start taking prenatals now, and keep taking them all through your pregnancy and after also...especially it you breastfeed. Talk to your doctor, they'll tell you everything you need to know, what to eat, what not to eat...ect.
2007-02-06 20:40:59 · answer #8 · answered by Dani 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes start your prenatal vitamins now!! and you take it the whole time during pregnancy!!! i also reccomend taking more of vitamin C b/c i got alot of colds during my pregnancy! and if you are anemic i suggest taking more iron vitamins
2007-02-06 19:37:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is never too late. Plus the amount you need is so small, you probably were getting it from your every day diet and didn't know it. :)
2007-02-06 19:38:03 · answer #10 · answered by darkraven_2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋