Are prenatal vitamins that important?

[newbian]

I know folic acid is to prevent spina bifida. But the whole package of prenatal vitamins - are they really that important to take daily?

I took them religiously for DD, but it turns out that I have to get regular blood tests to monitor a condition and there's one ingredient that's in nearly all prenatal supplements that is known to cause errors in the blood test results. My last report was extremely "bad" until the doctor queried what supplements I was taking and he told me I have to stop taking it 4 days before a blood test or else I will continue to get skewed readings.

I figure if I just take folic acid during those 4 days I'll be fine right?

[Zampa]

Yes, you'll be fine, especially if you're eating healthily as well. Hope all goes well.

[CherriesInTheSnow]

I can't comment on the blood test issue as I've never heard of it but in genergy yes they are important, particularly for water soluble vitamins which can't be stored in the body and so need to be replenished daily. Do you know exactly what part of the blood test results the vitamins apparently made unclear?

There were periods where I couldn't take prenatal vitamins because of how ill they made me but I made sure I made up for this with nutritious food, and not ever woman has access to them but doesn't mean anything will be wrong with baby. It is more for you benefit as well as baby will make sure they get everything they need but you risk vitamin deficiencies because of this.

[WellErrr]

No they're not, they're a marketing exercise.

Take folic acid and eat a healthy balanced diet, that's enough.

[dementedpixie]

The only vitamins advised to take are folic acid and vitamin d

[NameChange30]

Folic Acid is important but only in the first 3 months, I believe.

I think Vitamin D is recommended, too. You can get combined Folic Acid and Vitamin D tablets that are much cheaper than the pregnancy multivitamins!

What's the ingredient that interferes with blood test results, by the way?

[newbian]

CherriesInTheSnow the supplement is biotin and it seems pretty much all prenatals have it. It causes a massive error in thyroid level readings. So if I'm getting my bloods taken monthly it means I have 5 days per month in which I can't take a full prenatal.

dementedpixie I do take a standalone folic acid and vitamin D anyway so I will just stick with those. Thanks!

[newbian]

NameChange30 answered above but it's biotin and it conflicts with thyroid hormone readings. I'd honestly never heard of it but realized all my prenatal and even regular women's vitamins had it. Pregnacare, Vitabiotics, Seven Seas, etc. all have it.

[DorotheaHomeAlone]

Folic acid, vitamin D and a balanced diet. You'll be fine. Good luck with your pregnancy

[NameChange30]

If you've been taking pregnancy vitamins plus extra folic acid and vitamin D, you've probably been taking too much - pretty sure the pregnancy vitamins contain the recommended amounts of both.

[newbian]

NameChange30 sorry to confuse.

I take folic acid on the days I don't take a full whack prenatal. I went out and bought plan folic acid the day my blood tests came back crazy. But then I got nervous that I should be taking the full prenatal and only "rationing" in advance of the next blood test.

I supplement Vitamin D as prescribed by my doctor as I need a much higher dose than prenatals have on their own for various reasons related to the thyroid condition.

[Bisquick]

My doctor said folic acid + vitamin D + healthy diet as well. Prenatal vitamins made the nausea a LOT worse.

[NameChange30]

Ah that makes sense, thanks for explaining.

[arbrighton]

I've only taken Folic acid for first try and vit D every day (when I remember)

Prenatal vits such as pregnacare have been shown to not be needed and therefore just a very expensive piece of marketing (you're a bad mother for not spending all your money on something unnecessary)

www.nhs.uk/news/2016/07July/Pages/Pregnancy-supplements-dont-help-just-take-vit-D-and-folic-acid.aspx

I reckon i've spent less than the cost of one small packet of pregnacare on what is recommended (with scientific evidence) for my entire pregnancy

[arbrighton]

First tri


No rugby involved. DOH

(and yes, I get ranty about this topic, oops)

[wonkylegs]

Yup as others have said
Folic acid & Vit D are the only ones with any proven benefit & are recommended by NHS atm
The others are an expensive marketing exercise which don't do you any harm but are also unlikely to do you much benefit either apart from the psychological effect of 'I'm doing something' which in the early stages of pregnancy can help because it can feel a bit like you need to be doing something.

I took high dose FA & Vit D due to other medical conditions / medications and I think FA helped with the nausea too.

[10storeylovesong]

I threw up all my vitamins with first pregnancy and couldn't even eat healthily - baby was fine! Consultant told me this time around to take folic acid and vitamin d (and liquid iron as my levels are low). As above, he said that they are mainly a marketing tool!

[haveacupoftea]

Lots of studies about Omega 3 in the third trimester suggesting it helps brain development- worth taking I think if you're not a fish lover

[arbrighton]

Links to studies please @haveacupoftea ?