But I see that I should've started taking them already. I am 5 wks pregnant and wanted to know what is the best prenatal OTC vitamin if there is any???
2007-03-28 08:02:35 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
They are all pretty much the same. ANY multi vitamin will be beneficial while pregnant. You don't have to wait for the doctor to tell you what to take. Actually, my OB told me to take the CVS Pharmacy brand of prenatal vitamins. They were cheaper, but had everything baby and I needed.
Good Luck and Congrats on the new baby!
2007-03-28 08:11:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
While it is important to start taking them as soon as you find out you are pregnant, i didn't find out i was pregnant until i was about 8 weeks, and didn't see the doctor until my 12th week and he gave me a prescription for prenatal vitamins then. I have been taking them faithfully ever since, but wasn't taking them at all before and my doctor says that my baby is growing and coming along just fine. In the meantime, since you do already know you are pregnant and may not have your first visit for a couple weeks or so, i would suggest getting OTC vitamins. Walgreens is the best place to go, and all their vitamins are right by the pharmacy any brand is a good brand because of the folic acid in them. Good luck and congrats!
2007-03-28 15:09:43 · answer #2 · answered by Christen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are better off calling your OB and asking them if you can pick up some samples before your first visit. If for some reason they don't have any, pick up a prescription. OTC prenatal vitamins are okay, but according to my pharmacist, they don't contain as much folic acid as the Rx ones. Folic acid is VERY important in EARLY fetal development. You should start taking them now. Foods such as Broccoli, spinach, oatmeal, and OJ are a good source of folic acid. You can search the internet for more good sources. Try to eat many of these foods until you can get your prenatal vitamins. Best wishes for a healthy pregnancy & baby.
2007-03-28 15:11:20 · answer #3 · answered by Melissa B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I was PG - my Doctor said as long as I was getting my fruits and vegetables everyday - that taking a Centrum once a day was just fine. I bought this at Walgreens or any drugstore and it's not very expensive. Walgreens also carries a prenatal vitamin, which just means that it has extra folic acid. Those are good as well. AGood luck!
2007-03-28 15:07:23 · answer #4 · answered by ggirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take ANY prenatal vitamin --doesn't matter which---and please start today!!! To prevent neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, it is ESSENTIAL to get plenty of folic acid. PLEASE start TODAY!!!
If you are taking a drug store brand of prenatal vitamins, you can also add a folic acid supplement (a half-tablet) on top of that for the first 3 months of pregnancy. Just don't exceed 1,000 mg per day of folic acid. But hurry and get going to get those vitamins on board. Your baby needs it!
Also, drink plenty of ORANGE JUICE, eat oranges, folic-acid fortitied cereals and grains, black beans, spinach, broccoli, all-natural peanut butter. Also, eat plenty of fruits and veggies, too, as wide an assortment as possible.
The ideal time to start taking prenatal vitamins is 3 months prior to starting to try to conceive.
The best prescription prenatal is Primacare, because it contains essential fatty acids, which help boost your child's intelligence. Ask your doc for a prescription at your first prenatal.
2007-03-28 15:08:51 · answer #5 · answered by EmLa 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just go find the prenatal vitamin section at the pharmacy (or Walmart or similar store) and pick the one with the highest folic acid content.
2007-03-28 15:06:29 · answer #6 · answered by Heather Y 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
wow lots of vitamin junkies here I see. Prenatal vitamins are only important if you are not getting the nutrients needed in your diet. If you are getting your recommended daily servings of everything, I would not stress too much. Your OB will discuss the right vitamin if any that you should take. stock up on those fruits and veggies in the interim, and don't worry so much.
2007-03-28 15:14:31 · answer #7 · answered by happily_married_biotch 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I got a prescription after the vitamins I bought at walmart were making me feel like crap - turns out there wasn't enough of certain nutrients to support my body.
2007-03-28 15:31:35 · answer #8 · answered by FirefighterWife 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was recommended GNC, but most have the same amount of stuff in them. I looked at the nutrition facts and just about the only difference was the price. But you do need to take them.
2007-03-28 15:15:52 · answer #9 · answered by LydBaBy21 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should have started taking them when you were trying to conceive. The name is not that important. You just need one with a full day's supply of folic acid.
2007-03-28 15:05:53 · answer #10 · answered by teacherfriend 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋