Nuts and Vitamins during pregnancy

[rainand]

Hi,

Just found out I'm pregnant, what's the advice around having nuts?

Also, I haven't taken folic acid until now, should I be taking it? What other vitamins do I need to take (meeting doctor next week).

Thanks!

Congratulations!

Nuts are fine in pregnancy, the regulations on them have changed, they are now seen as safe to eat.

Yes definatly take folic acid! I ve taken Pregnacare MAX all through my pregnancy, they arent cheap £20 for a months supply (3 tablets a day).

But i do believe they help, its suppose to have vitamins in them to help develop the spine and back of the babies eye.

On both my scans, i was told that babies spine was absolutley perfect! So i do believe they work.

Current advice is nuts are OK to eat unless you have a history of nut allergy in the family, then the advice is tailored.

Definitely start with the folic acid - it is key to spinal development in earliest stage of pregnancy to help prevent spina bifida. So important to take in first 3 months at least, don't panic you haven't yet as unless you have a poor diet you will have stores in your body which will be used.

Vitamin D is good idea as is omega 3 for brain development, but folic acid is the major must-have.

Congratulations!

Thank you both :-)

I did panic a little as I didn't take folic acid.

Any brand you'd recommend for folic acid?

I was told by a consultant not to cut nuts out. I was very happy about that, I eat loads.

If you take a multi-vitamin make sure it is a special pregnancy formulation, as standard ones contain too much vit A, and not enough folic acid. There are less expensive versions than Pregnacare out there.

Yes eat nuts take Folic acid and at my 16 week visit my midwife said I should be taking vitamin D tablets too xxx congratulations

Thank you panicnotanymore, MJP1, JennerOSity and Revelsarethebest!

I'm not keen on taking multi-vitamins, as iron tends to give me constipation. I have an appointment with a mid-wife/nurse on Saturday, as I'm having an early scan because I've been getting stomach pains. Maybe I should wait till Saturday and ask her what's best to take?

Start folic acid now, regardless of MW appointment. The rest can wait, but that one matters.

Please start the folic acid, don't wait. If you've just missed your period then baby's neural tube is forming NOW. You can buy cheap folic acid at boots or any supermarket. If you don't want a multivitamin then your best option is 400microg folic acid and 10microg vit d.

The vit d is important, but not as important as folic acid. Please start folic acid the minute you can get to your nearest shop.

I have a life threatening nut allergy. My mum ate loads of nuts while pregnant with me. Her mum (my granny) had a life threatening allergy to shellfish but there is no family history of nut allergy. If nuts are integral to your diet then fine but if you can be healthy without them then I would say why take the risk.

Deffo take the folic acid asap and regularly though. Good luck with your pregnancy - being a mum is a lot of fun

Thank you!! I panicked a little when I saw above posts and ran to Sainsbury to get some folic acid. Couldn't find one just with folic acid and vitamin D but got folic acid and had it :-)

I don't think I could honestly recommend a vitamin brand as who can say they know it is better than any other really? You take what you take but there is no way to truly compare. I don't think it matters as long as it is a trusted manufacturer of some shape or other.

Congratulations, hope the scan goes well and enjoy your pregnancy - such good times ahead.