I bought some at my grocery store, but the pharmacist said prescription one's are better. Maybe more folic acid? Any doctors out there who could give me advice? Are over-the-counter okay, or should I go to my OB and get a script?
2007-03-20 02:51:41 · 9 answers · asked by I'm very, very hot. 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Trying to Conceive
Smart - They are prenatal, not multi.
2007-03-20 03:02:01 · update #1
I definitely think the over the counter vitamins are okay, but am not a doctor or pharmacist. If you are concerned, you can probably get free samples of the really good ones from your doctor's office. I used OTC, and my baby is perfect. Know that you are doing right by your child just by using a prenatal.
2007-03-20 02:55:37 · answer #1 · answered by Stephene 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is true with many things that there are similar products available both over the counter and from prescription. The general difference between the two is that products available only by prescription are stronger and more powerful than those available over the counter. This is also the primary difference between prescription prenatal vitamins and over the counter prenatal vitamins.
I would go with the prescription the doctor prescribed because
Differing prescription prenatal vitamins will also have other ingredients, depending upon the specific needs of the mother to be. These can be stool softeners, for example, to fight against constipation from taking the prenatal vitamin. They can also be derived in different manners in order to make it easier for the mother to digest the prescription prenatal vitamins.
2007-03-20 02:58:02 · answer #2 · answered by highdle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I lost my bottle of prenatal vitamins on a plane trip when I was 10 weeks pregnant. I didn't even know they sold OTC prenatal vitamins... I went to the store intending on purchasing just a regular multivitamin figuring that was better than no vitamins. I saw the bottle of prenatals and picked those up and took those until I got back home and got another prescription from my doctor. I told him what happened and he said OTC were just fine... as long as I was taking a prenatal vitamin, I was doing well. But I still preferred the prescription to the OTC simply because it was given to me by the doctor.
2007-03-20 02:59:47 · answer #3 · answered by Christina 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
prenatal vitamins are very different from OTC multi-vitamins. they contain appropriate amounts of vitamins and minerals necessary for the developing fetus. multi-vitamins may contain too much of some vitamins and too little of others.
definitely ask your OB/GYN. I can't believe they didn't automatically write you a prescription. Mine gave me several different samples to try, had me pick the one i liked best, then wrote a prescription for those. generally, the prescriptions are not covered by your health insurance, but most prenatals offer some sort of discount program or coupon to help with the cost.
2007-03-20 02:59:34 · answer #4 · answered by SmartAleck 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am currently taking prescribed ones, Started in January - got Pregnant in February.... however, we were not scheduling / trying to conceive just yet - were waiting until Summer - I guess the Baby had other plans!
However... one of the women I work with has been told for YEARS she could not get pregnant... she was taking the prenatals from WALMART and surprise - got pregnant! She now has a beautifully healthy little girl!
Good Luck!
2007-03-20 03:18:44 · answer #5 · answered by Glory 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Regular vitamins are fine to use and they are less expensive than the maternal ones. The maternal ones are tailor-made for pregnant women and don't need a prescription to get. Just ask pharmacist.
2007-03-20 02:59:09 · answer #6 · answered by chicchick 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a doctor but I know with my first child I used GNC because the prescribed ones made me sick. My daughter is three and she has turned out wonderful. I'm 19 weeks pregnant and the ones he prescribed this time have worked great as long as I take them before I go to bed. I would just ask your doctor. Good Luck!!
2007-03-20 03:00:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The ones you get OTC are okay, but the prescription ones have higher levels of the vitamins that your growing baby needs, especially (as you said) folic acid.
See the following link for more info:
http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu79e6P9F9BMBi0NXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE2ZG5kZ3JnBGNvbG8DZQRsA1dTMQRwb3MDMwRzZWMDc3IEdnRpZANGODU2Xzc0/SIG=12cj0ln9g/EXP=1174485470/**http%3a//www.babyzone.com/askanexpert/answer.asp%3fqid=294
2007-03-20 02:57:27 · answer #8 · answered by ♥♥♥ Mommy to Two ♥♥♥ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would get the script ones. they might have more vitamin's that you need.
2007-03-20 02:56:33 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋