Vitamins or not?

M

matemate

Registered User
Wife is newly pregnant (5 weeks). I am reading the forum and people say one should take vitamins like Materna.

Doctor says folic acid is good but no Materna.

Reading a book 'what to expect when you are expecting' and it also suggest to take vitamins (like Materna).

is the doctor wrong or what do you suggest?

thanks for help
 
There are different opinions out there but health experts usually advise women trying to conceive to start taking a prenatal vitamin 6 weeks before. So it seems strange your DR advised your 5 weeks pregnant wife just to take folic acid. Folic acid is very important but other minerals and vitamins all play a part in keeping both mom and baby healthy. I would suggest taking the prenatal vitamin.
 
Just wanted to add Materna contains 1000 mcg of Folic acid...so if your wife is taking it there is no need to take additional folic acid supplements.
 
futurehkmom, what was the rationale from your doctor if i may ask? it seems similar to what my wife was told without giving any rationale
 
I asked my doctor the same and he suggested I take folic acid until 2nd trimester, then take the Materna. Not sure the rationale for that.
 
One reason the doctor might tell you to take the folic acid, but not Materna is that the iron in the Materna makes some women feel more more morning sick to the point of actual sickness. Maybe your doctor takes the view that taking the folic acid and keeping it down is more important. Also, as far as I understand the baby can quite easily get everything it needs from the mother in the first trimester, except the folic acid.
 
When do you normally start taking pre natal vitamins? I have read that people normally take folic acid when trying to get pregnant. We are going to start trying in the next few months so just wondering if there's anything I should be taking or begin thinking about taking? Any type/ brand etc particularly recommended? Thanks!
 
When I got pregnant the first time (later miscarried) my doctor prescribed me folic acid and a B vitamin (can`t remember which one, maybe 12) to help with morning sickness. After tha prescription finished I started taking pre-natal vitamins. When I was pregnant with my son, I just started taking pre-natals myself right away.
 
I always heard/read that you should start taking prenatal vitamins if you're trying to conceive so I took Materna even before I was pregnant. I took it all through pregnancy, breastfeeding and now into my 2nd pregnancy. I've been taking it continually for something like 3 years now!!

I don't think it REALLY matters though as long as you're getting the folic acid - that's the main important thing. Actually some foods (usually breads and cereals) are supplemented with folic acid as well - so depending on your diet, it's probably possible to just get it from your diet. Although I think with folic acid, it's better to have too much than not enough, so I'd take the supplements regardless of what my diet was!!
 
I have been taking prenatal vit since TTC. Usually I don't care about the brand. I am taking actually one that is from CVS (a big pot with 300 pills). Also tried the prenatal from other US pharmacies, like Rite Aid, and also from Centrum. Usually I ask friends or relatives that are traveling from US to HK to get me some. It is much cheaper buying those on the US than here in HK.
 
When I went for my 12 weeks scan my DR asked me if I was taking prenatal vitamins. I told her I started doing so even earlier on and she approved. 1000 mcg is not too much folic acid, as your body won't be able to absorb everything.

I got this from the Materna website:

When should a woman start taking a prenatal multivitamin?
A woman should start taking a prenatal multivitamin at least 12 weeks prior to conception - when she is trying to conceive or planning a pregnancy.

I mean it is not necessary to use the brand Materna...there are alot of good brands out there...but you should buy them online alot cheaper.

I get my supply from WebVitamins.com - Natural Products. Healthy Savings. even incl the shipping it's still cheaper than the shops here.
 
I have Folic Acid, which I think is 1000mg but is this enough or should it be a multi vitamin? I am only in the 'planning to conceive in the next few months' stage so I guess I don't need to worry too much but can't hurt to be prepared!
 
My OB prescribed Materna and 400mg Folic Acid. I've been taking both for a while actually since an earlier miscarriage.
 
kip1, are you taking a regular multi vitamin w/ that folic acid? If you're, that will be fine too. I think the experts suggest women trying to conceive to take a prenatal is because all the vitamins and minerals in it are in the correct dosage for a pregnant woman.
 
No, i'm not taking a regular multi vitamin as well, just 400mg folic acid. Thanks for the advice, so many things to think about and it's only just the start!
 
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