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maybeamommy
Blessed beyond belief
Member since 10/07 17048 total posts
Name:
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Are certain prenatal vitamins "better" than others?
I posted last week looking for gelcap prenatals and got two suggestions. I've also heard people recommend Rainbow Light prenatals.
Are certain prenatals "better" than others? Or if they have the right vitamins, then they're all the same?
I've been slacking on taking them. I bought some at GNC but they were HUGE. I could barely get them down and they just made me feel yuck!
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Posted 5/12/08 11:51 AM  |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Are certain prenatal vitamins "better" than others?
My husband is a physician (not obgyn) and told me that folic acid is the main important ingredient. I know in general he always looks at ingredients and less on the brand when he prescribes meds. (when he looked at the supplement facts of my prenatal vitamins, he said they are pretty much the same thing as regular multivitamins and that girls like me just fall for the marketing)
My obgyn didn't suggest a particular brand either. She basically said the same thing - to make sure I am taking enough folc acid.
Message edited 5/12/2008 11:56:50 AM.
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| Posted 5/12/08 11:54 AM |
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maybeamommy
Blessed beyond belief
Member since 10/07 17048 total posts
Name:
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Re: Are certain prenatal vitamins "better" than others?
Posted by Bridex100
My husband is a physician (not obgyn) and told me that folic acid is the main important ingredient. I know in general he always looks at ingredients and less on the brand when he prescribes meds. (when he looked at the supplement facts of my prenatal vitamins, he said they are pretty much the same thing as regular multivitamins and that girls like me just fall for the marketing)
My obgyn didn't suggest a particular brand either. She basically said the same thing - to make sure I am taking enough folc acid.
Thanks!
I wonder what the "right" amount of folic acid is...
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| Posted 5/12/08 11:58 AM |
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randella
Love my little man
Member since 8/05 16290 total posts
Name:
Randi
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Re: Are certain prenatal vitamins "better" than others?
My OB told me to stop taking my multi and switch to a pre-natal-- even though I was taking a folic acid supplement.
She said it didn't matter which ones I took.
BTW, the Target ones are good-- all you need is one, and they are small and don't smell.
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| Posted 5/12/08 11:58 AM |
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maybeamommy
Blessed beyond belief
Member since 10/07 17048 total posts
Name:
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Re: Are certain prenatal vitamins "better" than others?
Okay, so DeniseMarie's post said 400 micrograms.
The Promise Prenatals that Jul1013 (I think that's the name!) posted had more than that, so maybe I will try those!
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| Posted 5/12/08 11:59 AM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Are certain prenatal vitamins "better" than others?
Posted by randella
My OB told me to stop taking my multi and switch to a pre-natal-- even though I was taking a folic acid supplement.
She said it didn't matter which ones I took.
BTW, the Target ones are good-- all you need is one, and they are small and don't smell.
Thanks for the tip. My prenatal vitamins make me gag because of the large size. They are also making me feel nauseous because of the poor taste.
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| Posted 5/12/08 12:00 PM |
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FLaCaTaCa
Kelsey Elyse = Love
Member since 5/05 1855 total posts
Name:
Stacy
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Re: Are certain prenatal vitamins "better" than others?
I figured that they wouldn't last on the market very long if they were not good or not suitable. I couldn't imagine that there would be a problem with taking any brand as long as they have the recommended amount of Folic Acid.
I bought some HUGE ones and never took them! Gave those away and bought OneSource Prentals. They are pretty generic from WalMart and smaller! I love them! Must take 2 but I rather take 2 than those BIG ones!
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| Posted 5/12/08 12:05 PM |
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MetsGirl07
LIF O2 Vendor
Member since 12/07 16202 total posts
Name:
Deanna
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Re: Are certain prenatal vitamins "better" than others?
for those of you that cant swallow the big pills..
i take Prefera-OB... and they are the smallest prenatals.. its a prescription..but are soooooooo easy to swallow and dont smell at all!! i love them
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| Posted 5/12/08 12:14 PM |
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Re: Are certain prenatal vitamins "better" than others?
Do you have to take prenatals? Or will a good quality women's multi that includes 400 mcg of folic acid be enough? That's what I'm currently taking.
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| Posted 5/12/08 12:19 PM |
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FLaCaTaCa
Kelsey Elyse = Love
Member since 5/05 1855 total posts
Name:
Stacy
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Re: Are certain prenatal vitamins "better" than others?
Posted by A-Nonny-Mouse
Do you have to take prenatals? Or will a good quality women's multi that includes 400 mcg of folic acid be enough? That's what I'm currently taking.
My doctor told me to go ahead and take the prenatals. Not sure if it is bad to take a supplement instead but that was his suggestion.
Taking larger pills was the only reason why I avoided the prenatals. Finally, I found one that was little. OneSource Prenatals. Bought them at WalMart. I'll ship them to anyone that needs them. Just FM me.
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| Posted 5/12/08 1:02 PM |
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sunnygirl
loving life
Member since 1/07 5413 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Are certain prenatal vitamins "better" than others?
i agree with the others who said its more about what is in the vitamin as opposed to the brand, and also size for those that need smaller pills to swallow
i take a prenatal that has 1,000mcg but that is because i am anemic and have always had to take extra folic acid
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| Posted 5/12/08 1:30 PM |
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MrsS2005
Mom of 3
Member since 11/05 13118 total posts
Name:
B
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Re: Are certain prenatal vitamins "better" than others?
Posted by A-Nonny-Mouse
Do you have to take prenatals? Or will a good quality women's multi that includes 400 mcg of folic acid be enough? That's what I'm currently taking.
I took a women's multivitamin (400 mcg of folic acid) until I got a BFP. Then, I switched over to prenatals (800 mcg). My doctor recommended taking a multivitamin before TTC, but every doctor is different.
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| Posted 5/12/08 2:02 PM |
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pharmcat2000
Mom of 2 + 1
Member since 10/05 7395 total posts
Name:
Catherine
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Re: Are certain prenatal vitamins "better" than others?
Studies show that a PG woman dramatically reduces the risk of neural tube defects by taking at least 800mcg of folic acid. Most (if not all) prescription prenatals have 1mg (1000mcg). If you're going to take an OTC prenatal, at least take an additional folic acid supplement.
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| Posted 5/15/08 4:18 AM |
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browneyedgirl
family is all that matters
Member since 6/06 6513 total posts
Name:
browneyes
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Re: Are certain prenatal vitamins "better" than others?
Posted by pharmcat2000
If you're going to take an OTC prenatal, at least take an additional folic acid supplement.
not necessarily. don't take supplements unless your doctor recommends it.
my doctor told me it was a waste to take prenatals before i was pregnant since i was taking a multivitamin. i wound up buying a clearance bottle at genovese since it was only a few dollars. after i got my BFP is when they prescribed the prenatal---and no, brand makes NO difference.
to the OP: please call YOUR doctor and don't listen to recommendations from other doctors. only your doctor knows your history and what is right for YOU. each of us has different needs.
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| Posted 5/15/08 8:21 AM |
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Rach257
LIF Infant
Member since 8/07 157 total posts
Name:
Rachel
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Re: Are certain prenatal vitamins "better" than others?
just one little thing that nobody has mentioned yet...and a little TMI just for fun....the PNV that my dr. prescribed and that i have been taking (primacare one...it is GINORMOUS) actually has a stool softener in it...now everyone is different, but i have issues and when i took the target brand PNVs, let me tell you, i did not go for DAYS. and nothing makes me more miserable than not going #2.....so i am all fina and dandy on the primacare ones...i know there are other brands that also have a stool softener in them, so if you have issues like me, i would look for those in particular 
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| Posted 5/15/08 10:37 AM |
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pharmcat2000
Mom of 2 + 1
Member since 10/05 7395 total posts
Name:
Catherine
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Re: Are certain prenatal vitamins "better" than others?
Posted by browneyedgirl
Posted by pharmcat2000
If you're going to take an OTC prenatal, at least take an additional folic acid supplement.
not necessarily. don't take supplements unless your doctor recommends it.
my doctor told me it was a waste to take prenatals before i was pregnant since i was taking a multivitamin. i wound up buying a clearance bottle at genovese since it was only a few dollars. after i got my BFP is when they prescribed the prenatal---and no, brand makes NO difference.
to the OP: please call YOUR doctor and don't listen to recommendations from other doctors. only your doctor knows your history and what is right for YOU. each of us has different needs.
While I agree that you shouldn't take anything without asking your doctor, I stand by my information on the amount of folic acid needed to reduce the risk of neural tube defects. And I'm referring to once you're PG. While TTC I think every OB is different on what they recommend. I've read the drug studies (had to in school) and I would never take less than 1mg unless my doc told me specifically that it would hurt the baby.
Message edited 5/16/2008 3:54:57 AM.
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| Posted 5/16/08 3:52 AM |
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annie
This is how I play basketball!
Member since 6/05 1980 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: Are certain prenatal vitamins "better" than others?
It's very common for prenatals to cause a "back up" in your system. Some prenatals have stool softeners. When I was pg the first time, I took one with the SS in it AND colace every day.
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| Posted 5/17/08 9:19 PM |
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Goldi0218
My miracles!
Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
Name:
Leslie
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Re: Are certain prenatal vitamins "better" than others?
Posted by browneyedgirl
Posted by pharmcat2000
If you're going to take an OTC prenatal, at least take an additional folic acid supplement.
to the OP: please call YOUR doctor and don't listen to recommendations from other doctors. only your doctor knows your history and what is right for YOU. each of us has different needs.
I agree. Your doctor knows your personal history and can guide you best.
I have special dietary needs and vitamin deficiencies because I am a gastric bypass patient. I do not absorb all of the calories and nutrients in the food I eat. My doctors (RE, OB/GYN as well as gastric surgeon) are all aware of this and made sure that I was on a specific high-potency prenatal viatamin while TTC and continue to stay on now that I am PG. Even still, this pre-natal vitamin in and of itself is not able to address my anemia (which I had BEFORE pregnancy) and thus I am on an additional iron supplement so I don't end up needing a blood transfusion. And NO, eating green leafy vegetables, beef and organ meats is not an option. My stomach is simply too small to be able to eat enough of these types of foods.
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| Posted 5/17/08 11:40 PM |
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