Are prenatals really necessary ( except folic acid and maybe vitamin D)

[AlreadyThere]

I am 9 weeks along and can't take any prenatals without gagging. I have always hated taking pills and avoid them at all costs - I never manage to even finish a course of antibiotics without throwing up of just quitting before I finish (terrible, I know).
So I can't imagine taking all these pills for 9 months.

I have only been managing to take folic acid just because I have read about a lot of its benefits and it's a SMALL sized tablet.
Are the rest really necessary? Can't my baby get enough nutrients from my nutritious and balanced diet?

No, in a nutshell, they aren't.

Folic acid and D are advisable but there's no need to take a multivitamin.

Get the Pregnacare liquid if you can’t take the tablets
It’s easier on your stomach as well - I always felt queasy after the tablets

I’d go with liquid, my previously ok iron dropped quite drastically in second trimester and I had to have an iron transfusion. I was sooooo tired, plus extreme morning sickness meant no balanced diet.

I haven't been taken any (currently 14 weeks), apart from folic and vit D. Everywhere says they are a waste of money, as long as you are eating healthy, lots of fruit and veg.

Just take the folic.

The NHS suggests everyone takes Folic acid and Vitamin D throughout the first trimester - and to be honest most doctors suggest everyone takes a Vitamin D supplement (pregnant or not) as the majority of people in the UK are apparently deficient, especially in the winter months or if you keep most of your skin covered.

I've read other vitamins/a Pre-natal is only really necessary if you don't get a balanced, varied diet so are at risk of deficiency (eg. perhaps a vegan diet or lots of food allergies). If you are getting your 5 a day minimum fruit and veg plus regularly eat fish, dairy, lean meat, nuts and pulses etc - it's probably unlikely you need anything else. I must admit I do take a Pre-natal for extra reassurance, but it's just that - I don't believe it's really needed.

I take a prenatal vitamin and folic acid tablet and a vitamin D powder.

I don't think I'm getting the most balanced diet possible, was very sick for weeks, lost weight, so felt reassured that I was at least getting some vitamins. Eating more now but still find the thought of some foods a very unpleasant prospect!

the "better you" sprays are good

Yeah I forgot about iron deficiency. Apparently it is a higher risk in pregnancy, but I don't think it's always a given - especially if you eat a lot of dark green iron -rich veg like spinach (and to a lesser extent broccoli etc) and eat red meat once/twice a week. I don't know if midwives check for iron deficiency as standard?

Get liquid

With antibiotics, get liquid too - it's vital to take a full course of antibiotics, missing some or finishing early can increase a risk of anti microbial resistance so it's vital to respect foe they're used

I struggle with tablets of any description at the best of times but during the 1st trimester with HG in full swing, i couldnt stomach anything.
I use the Pregnacare liquid at the moment which does feel easier on my stomach.
The full commercial vitamins arent necessary though, just folic acid and vitamin D. Folic acid tablets are tiny and vitamin D are chewable which may help?

Thanks everyone.

I am no longer in the UK but back home in Botswana where it appears every doctor insists on recommending prenatals without checking if there are any deficiencies.

We eat quite a balanced diet here with lots of organic fruits and veges, grains and proteins straight from the farms.

I am not convinced I should take these humongous pills they want me to take. I am taking folic acid and vitamin D is no longer an issue because we have sunny days all year round. I will order the liquid so long (we don't have it here) and ask the doctor about it.

Many thanks.