Pre pregnancy vitamins, or just folic acid?

[Twonker]

Hello ttcers.

Would you mind sharing what vitamins or supplements you are taking? I am wondering which is best. Also source of cheap ones?

Tia

[CappuccinoCarrie]

I only took folic acid (really really cheap, like 99p a pot from local pharmacy). I sailed through three pregnancies health wise, glowing and all, but several months after each one my hair, skin and nails were in a terrible state, particularly hair, and my iron levels were through my boots. If I had my time again I'd have taken pregnacare or similar and kept all my vitamin and iron levels much higher throughout as I always fell to pieces after the pregnancy was over.

[Twonker]

Hi carrie, im really sorry to hear that, although it is really helpful. Thanks. Anybody know any cheap pre-pregnancy vitamins then?

And is there difference between pre-pregnancy vitamins and pregnancy ones?

[shanghailady]

I don't think there's a difference whether pre-pregnancy or not. My prenatal multi-vitamin says on the bottle it's advised to take before and to continue taking throughout pregancy.
Try Boots own brand? They're often among the cheapest for other vitamins so I guess would be the same for prenatal. Think of the price as an investment!

[Quodlibet]

Vitamin D! My doctor actually rang me up after an appointment to discuss TTC because she'd forgotten to mention that we should all be taking Vitamin D as well as folic acid according to the most recent regulations. If you google (or search old threads on here) there's quite a lot of info about needing extra vit D in pregnancy and after birth, but it doesn't seem to be sinking in with the general public yet.

You can get Vit D cheap in the chemist as well, or some Folic acid tabs are now Folic Acid + Vit D I noticed.

I do think pregnacare etc might be a bit of a rip off for what they are....

[winkle2]

Quod - how much vit D should we be taking? I take pregnacare conception - does that have enough vit D in it?

[wrighty2010]

Hi, I took folic acis and zita west vitafem which was supposed to get your body ready for pegnancy! I read a post from a natural fertility expert on supplements to take when trying to get pregnant, I will put link at the end of the message, may be worth a read? You could always ask her advice if you are unsure of anything. Hope this helps, good luck !!! forum.prideangel.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=532

[HaveALittleFaith]

You should be taking at least 10 micrograms of vitamin D when pregnant (according to my midwife!) and I only found this level in multivitamins. Calcium along with vit d helps the body absorb the vit d.
I only took folic acid and magnesium (balances the hormones) when TTC and started on Sanatogen when I got my BFP. A decent multivitamin has all you need for TTC, don't get sucked in by hiked up prices because it says 'pregnancy' or 'conception' all over it! Just make sure it has enough vit d and folic acid in it and you'll be grand.

[moggle]

Noooo, the point of pregnancy / conception vitamins is that they don't contain any vitamin A, as you don't want to have too much of it when pregnant and it can have a cumulative effect.
Boots and superdrug both do "own brand" pregnancy vits, as do some supermarkets probably, if you don't want to spend a fortune.
If you do want pregnacare or similar more expensive ones, try Amazon to get it cheaper.

[Rockchick1984]

Don't take non-pregnancy multi vitamins as you shouldn't be having too much vitamin A (and I think some of the B vitamins?) - I got some seven seas pregnancy multi vitamins from tesco - £5 for a month's supply on 3 for 2. Can alternate between them and cheap folic acid each day though so that a box lasts 2 months rather than one. :)

[Mylittlepuds]

I think PND has a lot to do with the depletion of vits and mins etc post pregnancy. In fact there have been studies to suggest that it's specifically a lack of Omega 3 which causes it. I took a cheap Tesco pregnancy multivit last time and suffered badly with PND. This time I'm on more expensive Pregnacare with Omega 3. I don't know if it will make the blindest bit of difference but I know when I was tested after pregnancy last time I was lw on a few things, including vit D.

[crazyhead]

What do you normally eat like? Are you virtuous? Any history of being a bit anaemic?

Having had lots of bleeding with my emcs last preg cos my iron level was a bit low, I'm planning on being v anal about a healthy diet and taking conception vits with iron etc from several months before I try next time. Why not? But I think the superdrug/boots own ones should be fine.

[Twonker]

Thank you all for your messages. I am not planning to ttc for a while, so was thinking to just go for the cheap multivitamin but perhaps not, with the vitamin a issue. I might go an check out what wilkinson are selling at the mo.

My first unplanned pg I found folic acid extremely helpful in reducing the potency of the crippling headaches I suffered from, so am keen to take it in advance this time instead of just starting it half way through the pg. I then suffered from high blood pressure and pre eclampsia, which I do not want to repeat. The second everything went smoothly. I am now a bit older though, and feel that my teeth and hair have aged significantly, and want to try and protect them. I do not have a history of anaemia, and my diet is mixed, in that I eat healthy meals, but then snack naughtily!

Crazy head, when are you planning to start ttc, or have you not decided yet?
I have just started talking to my partner about it, so not sure when yet.

Once again, thanks for all your responses, I will be looking out for no vitamin a, yes to vit d, omegas and folic acid.

[Twonker]

My little puds: wishing you all the best this time