What is the deal with Pre-Natal Vitiamns?

I am a little and a little because someone on liweddings mentioned that I need to take pre-natal vitiamns before I get pregnant. Is this mantatory or by choice? I thought that you start pre-natal vitamns as soon as you find out that you are pregnant? I mean I could understand either way but this person said it not so nicely which upsetted me more. Michael and I are really intrested in starting a family and just want to know if this is correct information. I am also still looking for a OB/GYN. Someone who can answer all our questions. Sorry about being emotional, I just want to make sure we know everything.

~dancer and chef~
charlotte and michael

Re: What is the deal with Pre-Natal Vitiamns?

You don't have to. You can. You can buy them at Target.

I didn't even take them when I was pregnant and DS is fine.

Re: What is the deal with Pre-Natal Vitiamns?

It is a good idea to start while trying to conceive. It sort of supports the woman's body by "prepping" it with the essential vitamins and nutrients, especially follic acid. My ob prescribed mine, but I do hear you can buy them in the store.

Don't stress over it, many people get pg not being on them, but it is a good idea to start them if you are thinking of getting pg. Good luck!

Re: What is the deal with Pre-Natal Vitiamns?

My dr. told me to continue taking my regular mulivitamin and when I get PG she will write a script for prenatals.

Re: What is the deal with Pre-Natal Vitiamns?

Re: What is the deal with Pre-Natal Vitiamns?

I replied to the post on LIW also because I thought that reply to you was rude. I didn't start taking prenatals until I was pg. I have never heard that if you didn't take them while TTC that your baby would have birth defects. Obviously that woman was misinformed! I've even skipped my pills while pg because they made me sick sometimes. I hope that makes you feel better!

Re: What is the deal with Pre-Natal Vitiamns?

i think the main concern is folic acid while TTC, my doc said just to get any prenat from the store.. she was against using my "normal" vitamins... i think due to the lack of folic acid in normal vits. so she just pescribed me general prenatals.


I didnt like my pescribed vits because they had a lot of vit A not from beta carotene (sp), which i read COULD be harmful - i actually orderd ones from www.promiseprenatal.com - stage 1 for pre conception and 1st trimester. they change the vits %'s depending on what trimester you are in.

with all that needless info said, it is up to you, and good luck!

Re: What is the deal with Pre-Natal Vitiamns?

Posted by niikki-8-18-06

I replied to the post on LIW also because I thought that reply to you was rude. I didn't start taking prenatals until I was pg. I have never heard that if you didn't take them while TTC that your baby would have birth defects. Obviously that woman was misinformed!

Re: What is the deal with Pre-Natal Vitiamns?

Just wanted to say I didn't read the LIW post but folic acid is important when you are TTC. Many people get the recommended amount in their dies especially if you are a healthy eater(fruits, veg, whole grains. However-it could be beneficial to take 800 mg of FA when TTC--There is no way to know what your levels are and extra folic acid is excreted in your urine so it can not hurt you. I am on a few thousand mg because of a genetic issue I have(that about 35% of the population has)

edited for horrible spelling-quick typing

Message edited 10/21/2007 8:55:22 PM.

Re: What is the deal with Pre-Natal Vitiamns?

My doctor gave me a prescription for them and told me to start taking them one month before we started ttc.
Every doctor is different though.

Re: What is the deal with Pre-Natal Vitiamns?

Thank you so so much girls!! All of you have made me feel better. Michael was calming me down today. We did stop at Target and got there brand Pre-Natal Vitaimns. He needs to crush them for me because it's hard for me to swallow them but it's only one a day so we can handle that. This week I need to start calling OB/GYNs. Anyone know OB/GYN's that deliever at St. Charles Hospital. Thank you again.

~dancer and chef~
charlotte and michael

Re: What is the deal with Pre-Natal Vitiamns?

Im pretty sure my Drs. do- i go to Suffolk OBGYN- they have offices in pt jeff, patchogue, & wading river... Their Pt Jeff office is right across the street from the hospitals.

Re: What is the deal with Pre-Natal Vitiamns?

Thank you so much, Bella!! I was thinking of making a appointment with Dr. Edwards. I heard alot of good things about this doctor. I will be on Michael's insurance in January. If I able to make a January appointment that would be great.

~dancer and chef~
charlotte and michael

Re: What is the deal with Pre-Natal Vitiamns?

I'm not ttc but I have 3 children and with my 1st 2 I started the vitiamins at my 1st ob apt of being pregnant. With my 3rd I took them prior only because before that I had a m/c and my dr recommened that I stay on them if I were planning on ttc again. But what I know of you do not have to take them prior but I have heard some obs will put you on them if you spoke to them about ttc. I feel it's opitional.

Re: What is the deal with Pre-Natal Vitiamns?

You definitely don't have to. My doctor recommended that I take a multi-vitamin with folic acid for my regular health as a woman. He said that I don't have to take prenatals until we find out that I am pregnant.

ETA: I also go to Suffolk OBGYN. I used to see Dr. Edwards but he is such a great doctor that sometimes it is hard to get an appointment with him. I see Dr. Dennis Strittmater and I love him! He is very calming and answered all of my questions. I go to the Port Jeff office.

One other thing I wanted to mention is that you should just check to make sure you can crush your vitamin. I am not sure about vitamins, but I know that other types of meds cannot be crushed because they loose their makeup when they are taken apart. Just something to make you aware of. Good luck!

Message edited 10/21/2007 7:41:00 PM.

Re: What is the deal with Pre-Natal Vitiamns?

Hi char, how are you? You do NOT NEED to take them before, I asked my OB/GYN and he said to just take the multi vitamin I take now until I get preggo. And I asked about taking Omega 3 and he said that was a good idea. As much as the info on these sites is helpful, the advice you get from your doc is the only advice that is 100% correct!

Re: What is the deal with Pre-Natal Vitiamns?

Thank you so much for this helpful information again. I think that this person who thought she was giving me helpful information was a bit too hash in giving me the information and forcing that this information correct. I now know that I do have a choice in the matter.

We did purchase pre-natal vitiamns. I took my 1st one this evening. It says to take one a day. I will see what happens.

~dancer and chef~
charlotte and michael

Re: What is the deal with Pre-Natal Vitiamns?

You don't have to take prenatals before but you do have to take folic acid.

Folic acid prevents spinal defects if taken BEFORE a pregnancy. I didn't take prenatals but I take extra folic acid. I took a multi and an extra folic acid.
Good Luck And I am sorry that someone was mean to you!

Re: What is the deal with Pre-Natal Vitiamns?

Re: What is the deal with Pre-Natal Vitiamns?

Posted by niikki-8-18-06

I replied to the post on LIW also because I thought that reply to you was rude. I didn't start taking prenatals until I was pg. I have never heard that if you didn't take them while TTC that your baby would have birth defects. Obviously that woman was misinformed! I've even skipped my pills while pg because they made me sick sometimes. I hope that makes you feel better!

Re: What is the deal with Pre-Natal Vitiamns?

Posted by sfp0701

You don't have to take prenatals before but you do have to take folic acid.

Folic acid prevents spinal defects if taken BEFORE a pregnancy. I didn't take prenatals but I take extra folic acid. I took a multi and an extra folic acid.
Good Luck And I am sorry that someone was mean to you!

Re: What is the deal with Pre-Natal Vitiamns?

when i said you "HAD" to , i said in order to prevent certain BD's
i feel i am being misquoted and again i did NOT mean to scare anyone
i was saying what my doctor told me and that is exactly what she said

i went in august and i told her we are going to TTC around feb
and she recommended i started taking them with the explanation i already gave

Re: What is the deal with Pre-Natal Vitiamns?

this is the EXACT post from the other site

Posted by dancerandchef

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Posted by Snowflake08

im taking them but im not pregnant yet
my dr. recommends "rainbow light" from GNC or drugstore.com
they are not prescription so they are a little more expensive since u cant use an insurance card but she highly recommends them
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Can you take prenatal vitamins before you are pregnant?
~dancer and chef~
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you are supposed to take them before you are pregnant!
there are certain amino acids in them that MUST be in your body WHEN you conceive to eliminate certain birth defects

Re: What is the deal with Pre-Natal Vitiamns?

and here is the link if anyone wants to read

i responded SEVERAL times to the thread since many people were not responding and im very upset and annoyed that people would jump down my throat like that

ttc link


it is also bothering me because this and the LIW thread are TTC threads,
i think it would be different if i said that to someone that was 4 months pregnant
HOWEVER, if you are TTC, you should have the information

Message edited 10/21/2007 11:11:31 PM.

Re: What is the deal with Pre-Natal Vitiamns?

When I went to my gyno appt and spoke about ttc...my dr. recommended that I be on prenatals for at least four months before ttc.
I guess, it just depends on the doctor.

I figured it couldn't hurt to start before I'm preggo.