Folic Acid / Pregnancy Vits

[kiwidreamer]

Did you start yours as soon as you started TTC or did you wait til you got your BFP, if you were closely monitoring the situation with TTC? I took the vits for the first month of TTC and when nothing happened I realised that I could be months and months at this TTC game and the vits are expensive (and make me feel nauseaus and stop me sleeping!). As far as I am aware they can only really help with development once the baby is attached to you which happens around week 6 I think... I could be opening myself up for a slating here I guess but I read reports on alcohol consumption prior to week 6 of pregnancy wasnt a problem as prior to that there is no direct absorbsion from the mother by the baby.

I have a good balanced diet and do not consider taking vitamins normally.

[notasize10yetbutoneday]

I don't think vitamins should make you feel nauseous or stop you sleeping. What brand are you using? I have been taking Asda's pregnancy vitamins for approx 10 days and feel no different to when I wasn't taking them. My dcctor told me I should take folic acid 3 months BEFORE TTC, in case I get pregnant as soon as we start TTC, to prevent spina bifida.

[notasize10yetbutoneday]

So to answer your original question, I would definitely start taking them when TTC and not wait until you get a BFP.

[Truffkin]

Hi Kiwi

When I had my implanon removed the nurse suggested taking folic acid straight away and until week 12 of pregnancy. A lot of the pregnancy vitamins are really expensive so I just got the Boots own brand folic acid, which was on 3 for 2 at the time so I have about 6 months worth (for about a tenner).

I agreee with notasize10 though, I don't think vitamins should make you feel ill, quite the opposite!!

[chocciechip]

There's been research done which suggests taking folic acid for up to a year before a BFP can dramatically reduce spina bifida and premature babies, and advice is def to take them while planning a baby and TTC. So at the very least, I suggest you take a folic acid supplement.

I was told by a fertility nutritionist that it can take three months before vit supplements start to yield proper results as well, so keep that in mind.

Also, there are different quality vits - she has me taking these, three times a day.

BTW, vits give me a headache and make me feel sick too, but only if I take them without eating at the same time. And I was told by a nurse friend to not take vits last thing at night because they can keep you awake, but can't say I've had that prob myself.

HTH.

[Muser]

All you really need to take is Folic Acid before and up to 12 weeks, as others have said. A Vitamin D supplement is also a good idea as it's hard to get from other sources. Everything else you can get from food, so eat a good varied diet and you'll be fine.

Pregnancy vitamins made my pregnancy sickness a billion times worse. Pregnacare is evil stuff, I can imagine it making non-pregnant people feel sick as well. Generic folic acid & vitamin d were absolutely fine and much cheaper.

[kiwidreamer]

It could have just been coincidence that I was having sleeping troubles when I started taking them (Boots Mother To Be) but I do remember feeling ill last time taking them in the mornings so tried to take this lot at night.

I am eating breakfast a lot earlier now with DS than last time around when I was working so I guess that should help.

Okay I'll have to put the ££ thing aside and start taking them again, should have done more research as I didnt think that folic acid would build up (or at least the benefits that prevent spina bifida)... maybe the universe is waiting for me to be more responsible with my vits before I get my BFP ;-)