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TomLaur0808
LIF Infant
Member since 9/09 88 total posts
Name:
Laurie
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Prenatal vitamins...
Are these really necessary to take while TTC? Has anyone gotten pregnant not using them??
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Posted 10/13/09 9:47 PM  |
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PennyCat
Just call me mommy :)
Member since 7/08 19084 total posts
Name:
Jib
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Re: Prenatal vitamins...
My dr said it's good to have the folic acid in your system for when you do get pregnant. He suggested I go off the pill and immediately start taking them.
I could be wrong but I think that folic acid is what helps in the baby's development and is also what helps prevent miscarriages  Not 100% sure though..
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| Posted 10/13/09 9:50 PM |
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Re: Prenatal vitamins...
Why Do Pregnant Women Need Folic Acid, Iron, and Calcium?
Folic acid can reduce your risk of having a baby with a serious birth defect of the brain and spinal cord, called the "neural tube." A baby with spina bifida, the most common neural tube defect, is born with a spine that is not closed. The exposed nerves are damaged, leaving the child with varying degrees of paralysis, incontinence, and sometimes mental retardation.
Neural tube defects develop in the first 28 days after conception, before many women realize they are pregnant. Because about half of all pregnancies are unplanned, the U.S. Public Health Service recommends that all women of childbearing age get 400 micrograms of folic acid each day. In fact, the FDA now requires that all flour products -- such as breads, buns, and bagels -- be fortified with extra folic acid. A woman who has had a prior child with a neural tube defect should discuss the appropriate dose of folic acid with her doctor before her next pregnancy. Studies have shown that taking a larger dose (up to 4,000 micrograms) at least one month before and during the first trimester may be beneficial.
There are natural sources of folic acid: green leafy vegetables, nuts, beans, and citrus fruits. It's also found in many fortified breakfast cereals and some vitamin supplements.
Calcium during pregnancy can prevent a new mother from losing her own bone density as the fetus uses the mineral for bone growth.
Iron helps both the mother and baby's blood carry oxygen.
While a daily vitamin supplement is no substitute for a healthy diet, most women need supplements to make sure they get adequate levels of these minerals.
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| Posted 10/13/09 10:17 PM |
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MayBbaby21
Baby no. 3 coming soon!
Member since 6/09 5738 total posts
Name:
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Re: Prenatal vitamins...
Sure you can get pregnant without them, but like other posters said it's good to boost your folic acid before conceiving. At the very least, just take a regular multi, with an additional folic acid supplement.
Vitamins will help cover any nutritional gaps in your diet and that can help your body function at it's ideal level, which is definitely what you want while TTC.
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| Posted 10/14/09 10:50 AM |
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Re: Prenatal vitamins...
I agree it doesn't hurt to have it in your system. The folic acid is so important.
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| Posted 10/14/09 11:16 AM |
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LoveyQ
Stalkers, get a life.
Member since 11/07 12820 total posts
Name:
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Re: Prenatal vitamins...
Posted by heatherandrichie
Neural tube defects develop in the first 28 days after conception, before many women realize they are pregnant.
This explains it best. If you start to take Prenatals or a folic acid supplement after you get your BFP, it's likely you're already at 4 weeks of pregnancy or approaching 4 weeks (remember that pregnancy "starts" at the date of your last monthly cycle startdate, even though you don't conceive until after you ovulate around 2 weeks later). So if you start taking prenatals then, you would not have had the crucial folic acid in your system in those important first 28 days.
Also, folic acid does not build up in your system so its important to take it every day.
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| Posted 10/15/09 9:55 AM |
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Ever-After
Goals w/o plans r just wishes
Member since 6/09 2585 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: Prenatal vitamins...
everybody else already explained it exactly how I would - i just wanted to add that you can most definitely get pregnant without it, but I wouldn't risk it. Folic Acid is sooo important for the healthy development of the baby. For me personally, I started taking it daily three months before even trying to conceive. I really wanted it in my system before a baby begins to develop. When my doctor found out that i was TTC the FIRST thing she asked me was if I was taking a prenatal. She really stressed the importance of them.
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| Posted 10/15/09 10:08 AM |
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TomLaur0808
LIF Infant
Member since 9/09 88 total posts
Name:
Laurie
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Re: Prenatal vitamins...
I apprecaite all the feedback & advice - it defnitely seems the smarter way to go...here's my next ? - Ive heard that there are OTC(Women's 1-a-day) & prescription prenatal vitamins - is one really better over the other??
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| Posted 10/15/09 10:15 AM |
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LoveyQ
Stalkers, get a life.
Member since 11/07 12820 total posts
Name:
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Re: Prenatal vitamins...
Posted by TomLaur0808
I apprecaite all the feedback & advice - it defnitely seems the smarter way to go...here's my next ? - Ive heard that there are OTC(Women's 1-a-day) & prescription prenatal vitamins - is one really better over the other??
The primary difference between regular multi vitamins and prenatals is usually the amount of folic acid in them. I think the recommended minimum for TTC or pregnancy is 800mcgs per day. So if the Women's 1 a Day has 800 mcg, then that's perfectly fine to take.
Also, you don't NEED prescription prenatals. There are a lot of over the counter prenatals and lots of doctors feel that they are all pretty much the same.
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| Posted 10/15/09 10:30 AM |
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TomLaur0808
LIF Infant
Member since 9/09 88 total posts
Name:
Laurie
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Re: Prenatal vitamins...
This is all VERY helpful...TY so much! to everyone!
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| Posted 10/15/09 10:40 AM |
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MrsList
Sweet cheeks
Member since 4/09 1696 total posts
Name:
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Re: Prenatal vitamins...
It's important to have the folic acid to prevent neural tube defects. It's pretty much a regular vitamin so it doesn't hurt to take it. It makes your nails strong too!
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| Posted 10/16/09 12:16 PM |
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MrsC614
My little angel is here <3
Member since 7/09 2851 total posts
Name:
Gina
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Re: Prenatal vitamins...
i have been taking the prenatals along with DHA. I think Lifesource makes them, but I am taking the generic. My doc says DHA is important to take as well for neurological development, and it's just good to take as a woman too :O)
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| Posted 10/17/09 12:38 PM |
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Hofstra26
Love to Bake!
Member since 7/06 27915 total posts
Name:
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Re: Prenatal vitamins...
They don't help you get pregnant and you don't need to take them but they are recommended. I took mine from the moment I was TTC to a few months after I had my DD. If nothing else you will have nice strong nails and shiny hair! 
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| Posted 10/17/09 4:50 PM |
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