HELP! I've accidentally been taking Vitamin A and am pregnant.

[HT1987]

Morning all,

I know it won't change anything but I can't help but panic as I've realised this morning that I've been taking cod liver oil which contains 800ug vitamin A 😔.

The first day of my last period was the 3rd of October, which according to NHS guidance puts me at 5 weeks pregnant as of the 5th of November (please correct if mistaken).

I have taken the supplement for exactly 28 days and am now incredibly worried and can't believe how stupid I've been so early on 😔.

Any words of advice / reassurance would be greatly appreciated right now as all I can think about is birth defects and dread waiting for the scans.

Thank you x

Please don’t worry, I did a very similar thing in my last pregnancy and all was fine.

I wasn’t TTC my last she was a surprise. I’m quite into training and take a lot of vitamins/supplements one of which had vitamin A. I found out I was pregnant at 5 or so weeks and had been taking it daily the whole time. Midwife said it was fine and to just stop taking it and switch over to pregnecare which I did. DD is now almost 3 and perfectly fine.

Please try not to worry - conception likely took place 2-3 weeks ago, and the placenta hasn’t formed yet, so it’s unlikely to have affected the embryo. Switch to a pregnancy-specific supplement now and try not to worry. Congratulations!

@MotherWol

Please try not to worry - conception likely took place 2-3 weeks ago, and the placenta hasn’t formed yet, so it’s unlikely to have affected the embryo. Switch to a pregnancy-specific supplement now and try not to worry. Congratulations!

My goodness, you will not believe how much of a relief it is to see this. You're absolutely right, my fertile window was between the 12th and 17th of October. I honestly don't want to be someone that worries over every little thing but when I saw the bottle this morning my heart sank x

Thank you, I really appreciate your comments.
I have stopped taking the supplement as of this morning and have Pregnacare to start taking from today.
I'm glad you had no issues with your DD x

Hi OP, just to say one of my best friends accidentally took vitamins with vitamin A in for the whole first trimester. She didn't know about the dangers. She has a healthy happy 4 month old now. I'm sure you have nothing to worry about

@HT1987 hey I've just found this post I've just realised I've been taking vit A. I'm panicking. I'm 4+2
It's going in the bin. Was everything okay with you. X

Hello @HT1987 I’ve just experienced a very similar scare this morning, I had no idea my multivitamin tablets contained 800ug of retinol Vitamin A, I’m currently 11 weeks and have been taking them everyday for at least 6weeks.. I’m horrified. The comments I’ve seen here have been somewhat reassuring but is everything okay?

Hello,
Unfortunately we didn't have a happy ending with our baby boy, he was born at 36.5 weeks but we had to sadly agree to switch off his life support less than 24 hours later due to medical conditions.
I spoke to multiple specialists and every one of them said that the vitamins had nothing to do with how he was and that we were just really unlucky. There was absolutely no link whatsoever.
I'm sure everything will be absolutely fine for you.
Speak to your GP, they should reassure you x

I know it’s not the same but I didn’t know I was pregnant with no 3
I drank
i smoked
i went on at least 15 rollercoasters
I ate soft cheeses and tuna til it came out of my ears
I went to nightclubs-all the things you wouldn’t dream of doing while pregnant

hes 22 now and 100% fine-a few vitamins won’t harm-it’s too early for cause any damage

@HT1987 didn't want to read and ignore. so very sorry for this, thinking of you and your boy

Im so sorry-we cross posted and I hadn’t seen your update
im so sorry for your loss-i really am
take care of yourself and sending huge hugs

How did everything work out for you?? I am having a similar scare!

@FlyMuva How did everything work out for you?? I am having a similar scare!

Absolutely fine, baby is now 2 months old, extremely strong and developed very fast

Hi, Today I am 13 weeks 3 days pregnant. I have taking multivitamin before 1 month of my pregnancy and still now. which contains 800 mcg. Just today I know that it is harmful for baby. What can I do now, I am so scare, already I diognosed some complications. Please suggest me what should I do now

Hi I have been taking Seven seas cod liver oil and I am 5wks 3days I’m so scared will something happen to the baby? I feel awful, please can someone help

@HB1982 i am in the same boat, I've been taking cod liver oil and am 6 weeks. I didn't actually realise it was bad until seeing this thread! I've now stopped as of this morning and am getting some fish oil instead. I think if you stop straight away you should be OK, maybe call your community midwives for advice/reassurance?

Thanks @Gt1986 did you speak to anyone about stopping it? I’m so worried I had no idea. Can’t get hold of midwife

I popped into boots today and spoke to the pharmacist about whether to take omega 3 instead and she advised me to speak to the midwives so I will do that. I am trying not to worry and as easy as it sounds you should try not to worry until you've spoken to them, you've stopped taking it as of now. I'll let you know if i hear anything from speaking with my midwife.

Thanks so much, what amount of Vitamin A is in the cod liver oil? Mine has 750mcg

I don't know about mine as I throw the boxes away 😂 but likewise I have stopped 😊

No problem, let me know once you’ve spoke to midwife x

Hi all - I have just realised I have done the same thing! Currently 6 weeks pregnant and very worried after miscarriage just before this pregnancy. I wondered if there were any (hopefully reassuring!) updates? Thanks in advance xx

@Jasmine133 sadly not a positive one for you but I highly doubt it was to do with vitamin A.

I had a missed miscarriage at 12.week scan, I had an early private scan at 8 weeks and was measuring behind at 6 weeks and seemingly the growth stooped then. I don't think it was anything to do with vitamin a as I stopped taking it around 6 weeks.

I now take.omega 3 as it is safer if you are.on cod liver oil.

I wish your pregnancy well.

Thank you for replying. I’m sorry for your loss and hope you are doing well xx