What Prenatal Vitamin Do You Recommend?

Updated on June 10, 2010
M.R. asks from Olathe, KS
12 answers

I can't remember what I took with my first pregnancy. I have had two miscarriages so I want to make sure I have a good prenatal vitamin on board. I also have fibromyalgia so I currently take a fish oil supplement, vit d, a magnesium supplement. I probably just need to go into my OBGYN, but I hate to go in for a consultation on vitamins, even though I know it's really important. I get so frustrated with doctors because it seems like they don't know what the hell is going on half the time and most don't understand fibromyalgia. I'm kinda jaded after being in pain for 8 years and not getting much help from several doctors. The dietician I saw recommended ICAR which she said had a fish oil with it, but the one my dr. called in was ICAR-C which has warnings on it for excreting in breastmilk. Please help!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.T.

answers from Kansas City on

I took Natachew based on a recommendation from a friend. My doc approved them when I asked if they would be okay. They are chewable and have a fruity flavor, similar to Flinstone vitamins. I continued taking them long after I had my babies and they did wonders for my hair and nails (I have been able to donate 12 inches to Locks of Love multiple times whereas my hair never grew that fast or healthy before).

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.F.

answers from Kansas City on

Lol, my doc didn't have any vitamin recommendations when I asked, "just anything". I took a prenatal from GNC and it was ok. Nothing to write home about! I found this prenatal/breastfeeding vitamin a few months ago and I love it- http://www.kuhar.com/shop/contents/en-us/p54.html A day and a half after I started taking it, my spring allergies went away. Being skeptical, I tried not taking it for a while and noticed the allergy symptoms returning. Seems to help my energy level and nerves too. I take 1/2 the recommended dose (without any change in effects) because the high B-content wires my breastfeeding baby up.
I found the vitamin in Marilyn Shannon's "Fertility, Cycles and Nutrition", which is a great starter book for anyone interested in eating healthfully and taking supplements.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.J.

answers from Seattle on

All vitamins (to the best of my recollection) excrete through breastmilk. Sort of necessary, actually. Or all of our babies would die from malnutrition. They need the same vitamins and minerals we do. Just in different dosages.

The best prenatal you can take you won't find in a bottle... but on your plate.

We readily absorb vitamins and minerals from the foods we eat, but studies show that the vast majority of pill/liquid vitamins end up in our toilets... peed or excreted out because our bodies just can't/ don't absorb them.

So the best thing to do is to change your diet so that you're eating everything you need. Of course, that's expensive and time consuming and most of us can't do it... because you not only have to buy a lot of fresh foods... but also cook them correctly (most vitamins and minerals are volatile... they break down with heat... but others only become absorbable with heat and are useless in raw foods... so it can be a bit of a pain in the neck to research what's what.)

Since you're already taking supplements, you have added research, since you need to find out what the dangers are from double dosing. Any that are water soluble, no problemo... they just get peed out (as long as you have healthy liver and kidney function).

My *suspicion* is that your dietician already did that research for you. Give him/her a call to double check the ICAR v ICAR-C. They should be able to tell very easily whether it's just the same thing with a notation, or a totally different thing from what they recommended.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.H.

answers from St. Louis on

I took Flinestone Vitamins when I was pregnant. They were easier to take and I could chew them. I also took Expecta, it has DHA in it and its like a "vitamin booster"

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.C.

answers from Minneapolis on

I just took the target brand ones with both my pregnancies. Both my kids are very healthy and the vitamins are much cheaper. My doc said they are just the same as what they would perscribe.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.S.

answers from Eugene on

Rainbow Light. Find them in any natural foods store with a good vitamin section. They are food based, which means your body will utilize the components readily. They are full of many micronutrients you do not normally find in pharmaceutical vitamins. I found them during my first pregnancy 21 years ago, recommended by a nutritionist, and had three incredibly healthy, robust pregnancies. I continued to use them throughout breastfeeding. This company makes all kinds of vitamin supplements and I will heartily recommend them every time. If you take some time to read the ingredients and the vitamin levels of various brands, you will see why.

Rainbow Light. And no, I do not own stock, though I really should.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.S.

answers from Detroit on

I took Prenate DHA perscribed by my doctor for both my pregnancies. Good luck! I found it easier to tolerate than over the counter brands.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.P.

answers from Wichita on

My daughter had problems with upset stomach from the store brand, I take Melaleuca Vitamins, so I ordered her prenatal vitamins from there and she was fine with them. They have a fructose base, so they break down in your system better. If you have any questions feel free to email me - ____@____.com ~ I know how important vitamins are and finding ones that work well is a huge benefit! My daughter has recommended these to her friends and they all really liked that they worked well for them!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

I had a Prenatal, that was a prescription... from my OB/GYN.
But I just cannot remember which one it was or what it was called.
But it is a very good one. And i know it is not something available in a store... because I looked.
But it did have Omega-3's , DHA in it.... which is essential for brain and eye development.

Some Doctors, just tell the woman to use whatever they get at a store. Some, like my Doctor, are very particular about what their patients during pregnancy... and my Doctor had his patients take the prescription, prenatal vitamins.

All the best,
Susan

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.P.

answers from Bellingham on

The stuff the doc prescribes is good. I had him prescribe the chewables of the same thing. But all a prenatal vitamin is is a vitamin with a higher dosage than normal. Any prenatal vitamin should be sufficient, but you might want to ask your doctor about if you need to alter the dosages of the other vitamins you are taking while on the prenatals. Also make sure to eat healthily, a balanced diet helps. And listen to your body if you have cravings go ahead and follow them, your body is most likely needing some sort of nutrient from that food.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.H.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi M.,

Melaleuca brand vitamins, including their prenatal pack, are guaranteed to absorb and get the nutrition to Mama and baby. They also have a 90 day money back guarantee if you're not happy with them. Google Bobbi McCaughey and read about her incredible story. She got pregnant with 7 babies, the doctors recommended she abort four to save three and she refused. She delivered all seven and they were all healthy...the first time in medical history. She attributes that to the nutrition she received in these vitamins. I'll be glad to send you some information on them if you're interested.

The prenatal pack is a multivitamin, mineral complex and the Omega 3, which all babies need for brain and eye development. These vitamins will definitely help your fibromyalgia. (I've seen it.) There are also some other things that I can recommend for you as well. Get in touch with me and I'll tell you about my friend with your condition and how she overcame the pain.

God bless AND congratulations!

M.

K.B.

answers from Savannah on

My doctor gave me PrenateDHA - they are blue. I liked them... easy to take and lots of DHA in them.

Whatever you decide to take - purchase some Fish oil supplements and (for the first 2 trimesters) folic acid.

Congrats and good luck!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions