When trying to get pregnant, do you need to take both prenatal vitamins and folic acid or will you get enough folic acid in the vitamins?? is there anything else that i need to take? we have 3 or 4 months before we start trying.
2007-09-05 09:41:09 · 14 answers · asked by JumpingBean 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
by the way, i'm breastfeeding too so i've been taking prenatal vitamins for a long time now. do i need to take more if i'm pregnant and breastfeeding at the same time?
2007-09-05 09:51:39 · update #1
i go to the doctor on the 20th this month. i wanted to find out sooner about the pills though! i s'pose i can call them to find out for sure!
2007-09-05 10:06:30 · update #2
"Folic acid, sometimes called folate, is a B vitamin (B9) found mostly in leafy green vegetables like kale and spinach, orange juice, and enriched grains. Repeated studies have shown that women who get 400 micrograms (0.4 milligrams) daily prior to conception and during early pregnancy reduce the risk that their baby will be born with a serious neural tube defect (a birth defect involving incomplete development of the brain and spinal cord) by up to 70%."
Prenatal should have the right mix so that you don't have to take extra of anything.... look at the ingredients in your pills to make sure you're getting this! Once morning sickness kicks in, they say that additional vitamin B will help ease the sickness - but it's not necessary!! I would also recommend cranberry juice or cranberry pills.... I'd never in my life had a UTI until I became pregnant, knowing how easy it to get these, how awful they are, and tips to help prevent them in advance would have been nice!
Have you visited your doctor for a preconception visit yet? They'll be able to give you all the info. you need.
2007-09-05 10:00:39 · answer #1 · answered by Betty 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They do have folic acid in the prenatal vitamins. I was born with a birth defect and my oldest son did the same with I was born with is cleft palate. They told me if I wanted to have another baby. I should take 6 months before I get pregnant and three months of the pregnancy to take extra folic acid. The birth defect is in my genes. Which I did with my second and he was normal.
2007-09-05 09:51:08 · answer #2 · answered by Proud mom of 3 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The prenatals I took when I got pregnant had 800 mcg's of Folic Acid! Now Im pregnant and I can't take the Prenatals since they make me sick and bloat really bad!
I was told if the PreNatals make you sick you can take 1 Folic Acid Tab with 800 mcg's and 1 Flinstones with Iron. Thats what Im taking now and there is 300 mcg's of Folic Acid in the Flinstones! Good Luck
2007-09-05 09:49:24 · answer #3 · answered by 04/12/2008 :) 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should get your folic acid from your prenatals. Ask your Dr. if they think you should take additional folic acid, but mine said no. I also take additional calcium since my prenatals only had 15% of my daily calcium. I take another 60% from a seperate calcium supliment, but too much calcium can cause kidney stones, so check with your Dr. first. The thrid thing I take is Omega 3. You need to find one that is made for pregnant women though. You could wait on this until you are pregnant, since they can be pretty spendy. I have seen them at Walmart and even my local grocery pharmacy, but couldn't find them at Wallgreens or Rite Aid. The ones I take I got on line though.
good luck!
2007-09-05 09:51:13 · answer #4 · answered by Kali's Mom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm fairly certain all prenatal vitamins will have all the folic acid that you need to supplement your diet. This is one of the most important vitamins for your baby. You don't need to take anything other than a prenatal vitamin unless instructed by your doctor.... except maybe a calcium supplement. You need 1200 mg of calcium per day and prenatals don't have anything close to that because calcium interferes with iron absorption. If you don't get enough calcium from your diet, you will need to take something to supplement it.
2007-09-05 09:47:57 · answer #5 · answered by Mrs.P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm pregnant and Ive only had to take prenatal vitamins and not an extra folic acid.. I never took them before I was pregnant either
good luck and have fun TTC ;)
2007-09-05 09:46:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are getting plenty of folic acid from the prenatals if you don't have a family history of birth defects. You might want to see your doctor before you start trying and do the genetic screening questions now. That way you know if you're at risk. It doesn't hurt to strart eating a well balanced diet too.
2007-09-05 09:47:39 · answer #7 · answered by Kat H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should just take the folic acid. Most prenatal vitamins contain more than the FDAs recommended upper tolerable intake of iron (which is 45mg per day from all sources, not just vitamins). Taking high levels of iron is not safe.
2007-09-05 09:49:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I took both it doesn't hurt. Folic Acid helps prevent birth defects and helps the brain develop. Your body will just get rid of the extra stuff it doesn't need. Better safe than sorry. Start taking them now.
2007-09-05 09:50:32 · answer #9 · answered by kntsmommy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I went and checked the prenatal vitamins that my dr. approved and they contain 100 mg of folic acid. they are just over the counter vitamins that cost 10$ for 100 tablets and my ob says that they are just as good as the expensive ones. gl!@@@@@ sorry I read wrong it says 100% daily recommeded dosage 800 mcg folic acid@@@@@
2007-09-05 09:46:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋