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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Anyone not taking pregnancy multivitamins?

44 replies

bunny85 · 16/04/2015 13:40

Just that really. With exception of folic acid and vit D I mean. Is there anyone who preferred not to take Pregnacare or any other multivit? What were your reasons?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Sausages123 · 16/04/2015 13:41

I didn't, I took folic acid at higher dose due to b12 deficiency borderline folate and vit D due to deficiency. Anything with iron makes me vomit

StrawberryCheese · 16/04/2015 13:44

I don't feel any need to take vitamins other than vit D and folic acid. My midwife certainly hasn't told me to and I eat a balanced diet. It would be a waste of money for me personally.

Whatabout · 16/04/2015 14:09

I wasn't but then came down with s cold ten days a go which I cannot shift. Now taking higher dose pregnacare with the hope I get better!

SnozzberryPie · 16/04/2015 14:11

I'm just taking vitamin d and folic acid. Mainly because my diet is fine, and I am rubbish at taking big tablets like the pregnacare ones.

Skiptonlass · 16/04/2015 14:23

I only took folic acid. I have a medical condition that means multivitamins are out for me.
I'll take vitamin d drops once baby is born - our winters here are very dark so this is recommended by the health board. My midwife didn't recommend a multivitamin - only folic acid and vitamin d.

Number3cometome · 16/04/2015 14:40

Nope, did until 12 weeks then stopped.

You don't need them if you are having a varied diet (just the folic acid to 12 weeks)

33goingon64 · 16/04/2015 14:40

I took Pregnacare in first trimester when I wasn't feeling too nauseous (probably managed 1 in 3 days). Am not taking anything now (26 weeks). Is that really bad?

beno57 · 16/04/2015 14:56

So glad you posted this OP. I took folic acid and vit D until 12 weeks and then some pregnacare. But i stopped the pregnacare as I think it was making my nausea worse at the time. I keep meaning to start taking it again but I forget! baby brain! I haven't been too worried, especially as I actually want to eat fruit and veg again after not being able to face it for months.

LorelaiVictoriaGilmore · 16/04/2015 15:04

I did until 12 weeks, but then stopped when the packet ran out/I got stomach flu. I did then spend a number of weeks feeling incredibly run down (despite a pretty good diet). I started them again, and now feel much better. It could have been a coincidence or just the after effects of stomach flu, but I think I'll just keep taking them now!

LadyCatherineDeTurd · 16/04/2015 15:44

IIRC, Pregnacare contains iron which doesn't agree with everyone. But the only ones that are necessary across the board are folic acid and vitamin D.

OttersPocket · 16/04/2015 16:27

Oh I'm glad I'm not the only one! I was religiously taking expensive multivitamins and omega oils as well as high dose folic acid (for pre-existing diabetes) until my 12 week scan but since then I've stopped taking all but the folic acid and low dose aspirin (also for pre-existing diabetes). I just can't be bothered to remember! Does that make me a terrible person Wink

alittleegglayonaleaf · 16/04/2015 16:31

I didn't and don't take any supplements and wouldn't... you can get everything you need from food

Frolicacid · 16/04/2015 18:00

I took folic acid and vit d up to about 16 weeks. Then I swapped to pregnacare. It gave me horrendous constipation and then piles so I've stopped and now I'm not taking anything. My hg is better since I stopped, not sure if this is coincidence or not.
I do keep meaning to look into what else I can take. Has anyone got any ideas about what vitamins are safe and don't contain iron?

applecore0317 · 16/04/2015 18:06

I take sanotogen mum to be every other day... bit rubbish with remembering. Am now 34 weeks, whilst my diet is good I need the additional iron because I will do anything to avoid iron tablets

willnotbetamed · 16/04/2015 18:06

I'm only taking folic acid and now magnesium (get quite frequent Braxton-Hicks). In my other pregnancies I was supposed to take iron supplements towards the end but they made me really constipated, so I tailed off both times. Vitamin D is never talked about here (Germany) but newborn babies are supposed to be given it daily for the first 1-2 years of their lives - wonder why the discrepancy between UK and here?

applecatchers36 · 16/04/2015 18:09

I just took folic acid for first 12 weeks. Baby v healthy. Think as long as you have varied balanced diet you should be fine.

SnozzberryPie · 16/04/2015 18:09

Willnot I think the vitamin d is a new thing, I don't remember being advised to take it in my last pregnancy (3 yrs ago)

OMC1 · 16/04/2015 18:13

I only take folic acid... when I remember. :-/ I'm hopeless!

LadyCatherineDeTurd · 16/04/2015 19:01

I was advised to take Vitamin D in my pregnancy three years ago, but iirc it was just coming in then.

bonzo77 · 16/04/2015 19:03

Vit d and folic acid only here too. Any iron gives me awful constipation. Did the same in my last 2 pregnancies.

Original poster
bunny85 · 16/04/2015 19:46

Thanks everyone for the input, really reassuring! I thought I was bad for not taking multivitamin, but then neither of GPs (I happened to see 2 on different occasions) said I need them, and even a lady in the pharmacy said healthy diet is the main thing. I do try to eat very healthy and buy organic as much as I can, but at the back of my mind I am constantly thinking, what if I'm not getting enough, esp omega-3 since I only eat about 2 portions of fish a week.. (I know that's what is recommended, but then it's only recommended because of mercury worries, so if it was not about mercury, I suppose they would be saying eat fish daily? Just a thought..)

Since this is my first pregnancy, I think I'll take multivitamins during my next one, and then compare the children who is smarter Grin that way I'll know for sure Grin

OP posts:
DefinitelyNotElsa · 16/04/2015 19:48

I started taking pregnancy multivitamin, but quickly stopped when I realised it was making me feel more nauseous. I then took folic acid up to 13 weeks, am now not taking anything.

I might give the multivitamins another go... But only because I bought 3 sodding months worth!

Chocolatecakefan · 16/04/2015 19:57

I took the folic acid but gave up on pregnacare re quite quickly - I really struggled with the size of them. I'm not great at swallowing pills at the best of times but they are HUGE!!!!!

I figured that more nutrients would be better off from a healthy diet so I've tried to have as much fruit/veg as possible which is surely a good alternative of making sure the baby has all it needs?

Original poster
bunny85 · 16/04/2015 20:04

I couldn't agree more, Chocolate. The only reason I don't want to take multivitamins is because they are basically chemically produced vitamins, which cannot possibly be as effective and nutritious as the vitamins taken from a healthy diet. So I figured I rather spend this money on organic food, plenty of fruit and veg etc than pills... I don't know if I am right to wrong though... Time will tell!
I do take folic acid and vit D though..

OP posts:
AndThus · 16/04/2015 20:08

If it helps, I have had two pregnancies. I forced myself to take vitamins in my first one (because first time around you do everything by the book!). Second pg I couldn't face them and gave up. Result? Both children born equally healthy, similar weights, no problems.

So the extra vitamins might (might) give you a boost (doubtful) but they won't have any impact on your baby.

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