Multivitamins when TTC

[notasize10yetbutoneday]

Hi all

We are planning to TTC in October so bought some multi-vitamins for us both to take so we are both in good shape (as well as eating well and exercising, of course). However Ive just read the back of the tub this morning and it says "Contains Vitamin A. Not for use if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding."

????

Im really confused as the Zita West Complete Guide to Fertility & Conception recommends taking all kinds of vitamins.

It seems silly to book an appointment with the Dr just for this- can anyone advise?

TIA

As the leaflet states, excess vitamin a can be harmful in pregnancy. You can buy multivitamins that don't contain the vitamin A, normally marketed towards pregnant women/those trying to conceive. These also contain the recommended amount of folic acid, in my experience, regular multivitamins don't contain the recommended dose for early pregnancy.

There are expensive brands of vitamins suitable such as pregnacare, but boots and Tescos also have ttc/pregnancy vitamins in their range

I personally only take a folic acid supplement

Thanks Karstan- that is really useful. I had seen the pregnacare ones which as you say are pricey, so will look for Boots own brand.

The really important one is folic acid. Anything else is little to no benefit if you are already eating a healthy diet. Like the other poster said, if you're concerned you can buy the preg/ ttc vitamins sold in all supermarkets.

I wouldn't worry about the Vit A you've already taken as women often eat liver before they realise they're pregnant. I'm pretty sure it isn't as much of a problem if you are not yet pregnant.

I would keep taking them until you get a positive test and then switch to specialist pregnancy vitamins.

In the first few days (and weeks? check your pregnancy books!) of pregnancy the fertilised egg is nourished by the yolk sac as a placenta has not yet formed. Its only once the placenta is up and running so to speak that you need to worry about high doses of Vitamin A in your diet affecting the baby's development.

You will find a million food labels saying "not suitable for pregnancy/breastfeeding/ttc" what they mean is that no research has been done to prove the product safe, and its therefore better to be safe than sorry.

A good store of folic acid before you are pregnant and during early pregnancy has been proven to reduce the incidence of spina bifida. So like PinkyMe says, take it now.

good luck ttc!

Thanks Pinky and MummyAbroad. Do you know if its safe for DH to continue taking the multivitamins with vitamin A in, or will that affect his sperm do you know?

Thanks- so much to learn about the business of babymaking!

im pretty sure its only us ladies that need to avoid vitamin A...

I would NOT take those multi-vits when trying for a baby... take pregnancy onces instead which do not contain Vit A

the thing with vit A, there are 2 types, one derived from plants, and one derived form animals. It is important to lots of the plant derived Vit A, but not from animals, and in multi vits they use animal derived Vit A. For these reasons you muct also avoid foods high in vit A, which are basically liver and pate.

Thanks nannyl, thats really useful- hadn't thought about pate at all. Im not coming off the pill til next month so will have to gorge myself on it til then!

sizeten,

Have you bought a pregnancy book yet? There first chapter is always about trying to conceive and has lots of useful info re what is safe and what is not. You might find some other ideas too about what you can do to get prepared, like go to dentists, get a flu jab etc.

best wishes

Thanks MummyAbroad, I bought Zita West's Complete Guide to Fertility & Conception which arrived the other day, but found it a little overwhelming on the first read, as i think it may be more geared to couples who have difficulty concieving so it was more geared to that.

I need 'Fertility & Conception for Dummies'!

lol

it actually exists!

Fertility for Dummies on Amazon

I bought "'fertility & conception" by Karen trewinnard and that's quite good. I've been reading it on and off for a couple on months and still get the giggles because there is a picture of an xrayed willy in it. Very mature I know but I can't help it. It has lots of info on vitamins and food etc, I've found it useful.

ha ha I can't beleive that actually exists! Thats hilarious! You know Im going to buy it now don't you.

at xray-ed willy man

Hi

Zita actually does her own (pricey) range of vitamins for men and women ttc and each stage of pregnancy

I used them and am still using up my 3rd trimesteter vits now Im breastfeeding (oops over ordered)

if your multi vitamin contain vit A then you should NOT take them at all if pg or TTC within the next few months.

also are the b vits in multi vits? if so i wouldnt double dose them if trying to make a baby.

PG vits are often on specila offer in asda. i got 90 tablets for £6 (sanatogen) and the other day pregnancare were £2 a pack (30 tabs) but 3 for 2, so again £6 for 90 tabs

Vit A in the form of Retinol is not recommended. Vit A in the form of Beta Carotene, is however, perfectly safe & fine, so check the label.

YOu will be fine with the B Vits, you pee out any your body doesn't use, although you should make sure you're not taking too high a dose of B6 B1 & B2 (100 mg plus is considered a high dose) as you can get nerve sensations. Actually B Vits are used in therapeutic doses to HELP conceive.

"Vit A in the form of Retinol is not recommended"

I would go further to say DO NOT TAKE THIS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!

Just in case you're of the school of thought that dismisses "not recommended during pregnancy" -ie. eating brie, shellfish etc. which some people do. Make an exception for this. Retinoic acid based vitamin A can cause serious birth defects. I was on Roaccutane and Isotrex (which is the same as Retin A) when I was young, and had to sign a contract to say that I would categorically agree to use contraception whilst I was on it and for 6 months afterwards so that it was completely out of my system if I intended to get pregnant. This is why they don't recommend vitamins with Vitamin A during pregnancy. Maybe there is a difference between the animal and vegetable derivatives but if, on a vitamin packet, it recommends not using it then I wouldn't take the risk personally.