When to start prenatals?

My SIL said her doctor recommends starting the prenatal vitamins up to a year before even trying.

Is that typical? Should I start them now even though I'm not planning to come off BC until April?

thanks

Re: When to start prenatals?

Not sure what the norm is, but I visited my OB/GYN before we started TTC last time and he had me start pre-natals then. I don't think you need to take them for a year before TTC though. You just want the folic acid in your system at the time you conceive, and continue taking it through pregnancy.

Re: When to start prenatals?

I would. There just multivitamins with an extra kick really, so there is no harm in starting now!

Re: When to start prenatals?

Re: When to start prenatals?

We recently started TTCing and I also just started taking prenatals.

Re: When to start prenatals?

My OB did not even want me to start TTC untilI took them for at least a month. I am sure not everyone has done this and things were fine.

Re: When to start prenatals?

it's never too early to start prenatals!
if you're planning a pregnancy then ideal is 3 mos prior.

Folic Acid supplementation is so important that they now have a BCP that has the daily recommended dose (400mcg) for a woman of reproductive age, for "just incase" you become pregnant on that BCP, you've been getting your Folate supp!

Re: When to start prenatals?

thanks girls! I guess I'll start! I wouldn't mind the hair and nail growth either

Re: When to start prenatals?

My OB said 3 months is great, but that being said, she said I can start it anytime. I started 6 months before we decided to TTC.

Re: When to start prenatals?

Re: When to start prenatals?

Re: When to start prenatals?

This might be a silly question...do you need a prescription for these or can u get them over the counter?

Re: When to start prenatals?

I agree with everyone-- it is never too early. I started them about a month before TTC

Re: When to start prenatals?

Re: When to start prenatals?

ok 2 more questions:

Is it bad/pointless to take prenatals when I'm still on birth control pills? (Will be coming off of them in April).

and

Can someone recommend an over the counter brand to use?

Re: When to start prenatals?

Re: When to start prenatals?

however, all prenatal vitamins are essentially the same. it's like a BCP, you have to pick and choose the one that's right for you.
The RX aren't any better than the ones that are OTC. They just have extra stuff that's not as important that could be taken seprately, if desired.

They all have the #1 thing that you need. and thats FOLIC ACID

Re: When to start prenatals?

Posted by MrsCampos10-01-10

Posted by HollaDay

ok 2 more questions:

Is it bad/pointless to take prenatals when I'm still on birth control pills? (Will be coming off of them in April).

and

Can someone recommend an over the counter brand to use?

NO! Not at all.. read my post above! Beyaz is a new BCP that has Folate in it b/c of "just incase" you concieve while on the pill.

it's a vitamin, so it's awesome to take whenever. doesn't matter if your trying NOT to concieve right now. it's better that you start rather than wait.

For RX, my fave is CitraNatal Harmony. I love these b/c it has all the normal vits that a prenatal should (folate, iron, b vits, etc), but it ALSO has DHA AND a STOOL SOFTNER!!! ALL IN ONE PILL
DHA is supposed to be good for fetal brain development and the stool softner is FABOLOUS b/c iron is constipating and so is pregnancy.

Re: When to start prenatals?

Posted by HollaDay

Posted by MrsCampos10-01-10

Posted by HollaDay

ok 2 more questions:

Is it bad/pointless to take prenatals when I'm still on birth control pills? (Will be coming off of them in April).

and

Can someone recommend an over the counter brand to use?

NO! Not at all.. read my post above! Beyaz is a new BCP that has Folate in it b/c of "just incase" you concieve while on the pill.

it's a vitamin, so it's awesome to take whenever. doesn't matter if your trying NOT to concieve right now. it's better that you start rather than wait.

For RX, my fave is CitraNatal Harmony. I love these b/c it has all the normal vits that a prenatal should (folate, iron, b vits, etc), but it ALSO has DHA AND a STOOL SOFTNER!!! ALL IN ONE PILL
DHA is supposed to be good for fetal brain development and the stool softner is FABOLOUS b/c iron is constipating and so is pregnancy.

wow thank you! That CitraNatal sounds like the Cadillac of prenatals!