Pregnacare vitamins - what's the difference?

[msleahy]

Hi there

Newly pregnant after IVF and it's very, very really days.

I legitimately spent 20 mins in Boots trying to work out the difference between all the Pregnacare vitamins.

If they've made the Pregnacare Max that's meant to be really good, why doesn't everyone recommend them? Are they only for vitamin deficient women?

I'm so confused which ones to purchase.

I know they make women nauseous - I'll worry about that when it happens.

For now can anyone help me work out what the difference is and if I should just go for it with Pregnacare max?

Congrats on the pregnancy!

My midwife told me all I need is folic acid and vitamin d. Holland & Barret do this combined, much cheaper than pregnacare!

Same, just folic acid and vitamin D. Amazon also have them very cheap.

I like the Seven Seas ones - cheaper than Pregnacare and they don't make me feel sick

I found pregnacare new mum gave me so much more energy than pregnacare breastfeeding. I compared the contents and it has much higher doses of b vitamins and a number of other vitamins so I would recommend this one. If you look on the website it gives you are breakdown of what each type contains.

I take the max strength ones with the three capsules. Mainly because I’m a vegetarian so I’d be worried I wasn’t getting enough elsewhere. I originally took my vitamins in the morning (when I was on the normal ones) and I realised it was easier to take them last thing at night then I was aware of any side effects (if they gave me a sore stomach or anything). I haven’t had a problem with them. They cost a fortune but I didn’t see there was much choice

Marketing is the difference.

You only need folic acid and vitamin D. It's worth taking higher dose folic acid than is recommended - 800mcg rather than 400. You'll just wee it out of you take too much.

I'm taking the regular pregnacare, I didn't realise they made people feel sick, I haven't had any nausea with them.

My midwife told me to take the max as it has the omega tablet included and I don’t eat fish but omega is very important for brain development

Not all vitamins are the same. I think although they have the same amount of folic acid they are in different forms in the MAX one, supposedly easier for body to process.

The pregnacare max is the only one with calcium and omega. I take it because I don't have a lot of dairy and my mum ended up with early onset osteoporosis because pregnancy depleted her calcium reserves.

I just get the Asda's own pregnancy multivitamin (£3.50 for 60), have omega 3 capsules (that I used pre-pregnancy) and extra folic acid (as consultant instructed).

@BertieBotts

Marketing is the difference.

You only need folic acid and vitamin D. It's worth taking higher dose folic acid than is recommended - 800mcg rather than 400. You'll just wee it out of you take too much.

Not true actually. Too much folic acid is associated with tied tongues.

That's just a theory, there's no actual research on it, unless somebody has done some recently.

Some brands use synthetic vitamins which can be difficult for the body to absorb/utilise. I was taught (on a digestive health course) to look for vitamins made from wholefoods which don't contain many fillers. They cost a fortune, but I wanted to give myself the best of the best for growing baby. I also take fish oils that are guaranteed mercury and pollutant free.

But that's just me. I'm overcautious and always want the best that I can get

I was taking the regular pregnacare multivitamin at the beginning of my pregnancy. I developed hyperemesis and was advised by the dietician and consultant to take pregnacare max alongside a high dose of thiamine, folic acid and fortified shakes as my diet was so poor.

I think what you need is really dependent upon your original circumstances. Pregnacare max is expensive so if your doc or midwife thinks you'd be fine on a cheaper pregnancy vitamin, I'd suggest following their advice. If you need something stronger they'll likely tell you. x

Something in pregnacare makes me feel really nauseous (and also makes going through loo a bit of a nightmare) so I just take vitamin d now as I'm 27 so no longer need folic acid

I’ve just been on the basic Pregnacare at £4 a box for 30. I’m just gonna carry on with those throughout as I had a similar multivitamin before pregnancy (thankfully that had folic acid in too as I didn’t find out until 8 weeks which is when I got
Pregnacare)

@Pitstop1986

Some brands use synthetic vitamins which can be difficult for the body to absorb/utilise. I was taught (on a digestive health course) to look for vitamins made from wholefoods which don't contain many fillers. They cost a fortune, but I wanted to give myself the best of the best for growing baby. I also take fish oils that are guaranteed mercury and pollutant free.

But that's just me. I'm overcautious and always want the best that I can get

Same I'm taking the Zita West 1st trimester ones, with more absorbable forms of vitamins. Covers you if you're eating a less than ideal diet as has everything you need in it

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Good luck with everything!