Vitamins and Supplements

[greentshirt]

Are there any pregnancy multivitamins that I can take that arent the size of horse tablets?! I have been taking pregnacare since 4 weeks but in the last week or so I havent been able to stomach it at all and it makes me retch so much I cant get one down. Im 12 weeks today so I suppose I have got a good lot in during the time you really need the folic acid, but I would like to continue if poss.

Am looking for an alternative, pref a multi vitamin. Otherwise, do I just need to continue with folic acid and vitamin d?

[EmB1715]

I take the superdrug own brand pregnancy care ones, they're not too bad. But when I was struggling with sickness I just took a multivitamin and minerals tablet and a separate folic acid one. Hope that helps a little!

[puddleduck16]

Can't advise any to try. But do avoid the seven seas and sanatogen ones. They are also like horse tablets too!!

[PinkWitch803]

Avoid vit a. I am taking wilkinson pregnacy multi vit. It is smaller and doesn't taste of ginger. Plus is much cheaper than some of the bigger brands

[SomethingOnce]

You swallow mouthfuls of food that are bigger than the tablets, so you could try popping them in while eating something else to disguise the tablet-iness.

[SomethingOnce]

And yes, go for a pregnancy one because of the need to avoid high vitamin A levels, like PinkWitch said.

[AnythingNotEverything]

I gave up at about 18 weeks as they were making me feel sick. You can get enough goodness from actual food if that's easier for you (unless you're at particular risk of anaemia or other concerns).

[RobotHamster]

I gave up on the pregnancy vits because of the iron, so stuck with folic acid and vit D3. Have started taking calcium in 3rd trimester too because I don't get a great deal in my diet. As long as you're eating well you should be getting everything else from your diet - it's only vit D and folic acid that you can't get from diet (or it's very difficult to do so)

[katebakes]

I've never taken them! I took frolic acid for a while in first trimester and then saw that my diet was more than adequate. I would however take frolic acid +vitamin D, they're a tiny tablet and don't make you feel sick :)

[katebakes]

Folic* acid not frolic. I make it sound far more fun than it is.

Also my post a bob should have read 'I took Folic acid and pregnacare for a whole in first trimester.' I stopped taking the pregnacare because I realised my diet was more than adequate but carried on with the Folic acid. I wish I'd also taken vitamin d and will start this now :)

[greentshirt]

Thanks for the suggestions. I know to avoid vitamin a, it's a bit of a minefield! I got the Wilkos one today, they are smaller than pregnacare so will hopefully be easier.

I'm awful at taking tablets, I have steroids a lot for chest infections, they are tiny and even they can make me retch! I could try them with yoghurt actually, I'm sure my mum has done me over with that when I was little!

[mymagaret]

Have you not been given any on prescription from your doctor/midwife? I have been using the 'Healthy start vitamins' they are specifically for pregnant women. They have the NHS logo on, and a little cartoon drwaing of a pregnant lady. They are absolutely tiny, about the size of the pill. I would ask about those, as they are free and so easy to take and if they are NHS approved they are safe for us to take.

[greentshirt]

You can only get healthy start for free at our practice if you are low income. I will ask though, they sound great!

[AhoyAhoy]

greentshirt that's what I initially thought too, but I went to a surestart centre and they gave me some- didn't ask at all about my income. Then when I went to get some bloods taken at 20- something weeks they gave me another bottle- having chatted about my job (by that time I had already bought pregnacare thinking I wouldn't get chance to pop into a surestart centre for ages- bit miffed that I missed out on a second lot of free vitamins). As I recall they are just vit D and folic, possibly something else too, but apparently that is all the dept of health recommends on top of a balanced diet.

[ButterMyArse]

Is there any need for multivitamins after 12 weeks if you have a healthy diet?

[AhoyAhoy]

Speaking to a doctor friend, it is vitamin D we lack because of the lack of bright sun.

I am not great with diet, hard as I try I still eat too much pizza, chip shop, kfc, so I really feel that I need to top up my vitamin intake. If you can manage a healthy diet all the time then good on you, just consider vit D supplements.

[ButterMyArse]

OK, I hadn't heard of needing vitamin D. Although I live in a hot and sunny country so maybe it's not needed here.

[spatchcock]

Ahoy surely it's better to eat a balanced diet than take vitamins to 'offset' the effects of a takeaway diet. That is a bit grim.

[AhoyAhoy]

"offset"?
A couple of junk food meals a week is hardly a takeaway diet. I admit, some days all I manage in the way of fresh fruit/veg is a banana and a bit of salad with lunch. Not enough fresh goodness in something like spag bol, or chilli (easy frozen weekday meals). So I do supplement or top up the vitamins in my diet.

I think I have opened up myself for a hell of a lot of slating here by admitting that I don't always get my 5 a day and dare to eat some frozen junk and a takeaway on a Friday.

[Chocolatepuppy]

Tesco do their own brand pregnancy multivitamin,it's a gel capsule and slips down quite easily.

[spatchcock]

OK, well you didn't say that! You said you ate 'too much' pizza, KFC etc. If you're eating a takeaway meal each week I don't think you're first in line for scurvy.

[AhoyAhoy]

Sorry Spatchcock- little overreaction there. I probably shouldn't be posting anything tonight anyway, I'm far too tired and grumpy and taking everything to heart. I am also craving citrus but suffering from heartburm dammit.

[spatchcock]

Don't apologise. I should know better than to question the eating habits of any pregnant woman! I have been known to take people's heads off for the slightest side look at whatever I have on my plate.

I hear you on the heartburn.

[jerryanne]

I am taking pregnancare origional however when buying these I noticed Pregnacare plus (it includes an extra pack of omega 3 in the box) and so I thought I would be clever and just buy the original (at more than half the price) and a seperate pot of Omega 3 for just a few pounds extra. I checked with the pharamasist and she agreed it is the same just a higher dose of omega. Im concerned now that it is too much Omega for the baby?

Also Pregnacare has just brought out Pregnacare Max for about £20 per box of 30 days. It actually has different levels of vitamins compared to the original and includes Calcium and manganise which the original one doesnt. I keep telling myself that it is a waste of money but there is that niggaling thought that it would be better for me. (Clearly this is my first pregnancy)

Any advise appreciated.

[greentshirt]

Oooh chocolate puppy, im all over that tesco one!

I dont get my five a day either but I would say I have a good diet generally, I just feel like I should be doing everything I can

[Lostinspace1]

Maybe a daft suggestion but have you tried chopping them in half and swallowing 2 halves???