Pregnancy vitamins

[bookish83]

Hi,

Does anyone take a pregnancy vitamin plus 5mg folic acid in early pregnancy?

I have to take 5mg due to risk factors but I don't want to be taking too much as my multi vitamin has it in... or whether it doesn't matter to have a bit extra?

I also take extra vitamin c and d and unclear if this is 'too much' or ok to have the extra?

Any info from others who take extra in addition to pregnancy multi vitamins would be great thank you, I can't find what I need on google

Wouldn't worry about the folic acid, the additional 400mcg in the pregnancy multi vitamin isn't harmful. And most women taking the 5mg take the pregnancy vitamin as little other options really. I would caution additional vitamin C and D though. The pregnancy vitamin has the recommended daily allowance, and extra vit D in particular can cause issues with absorbing too much calcium which is dangerous. Excess vit C can have some side effects too.

I checked with my midwife that it was ok to take alongside my regular pregnancy vitamin. Could you do the same if you are concerned? Or ask at the pharmacy when collecting your prescription?

Thank you for replying.

I should have asked in Boots when I bought the vitamins! I will avoid the vitamin c/d and keep the 5mg folic acid plus pregnancy vitamin.

Too early for my booking appointment so was trying to do all I could before.

Have you got the folic acid already without a booking in appointment? I was told mine would be prescription only and couldn’t find it over the counter when I needed a repeat prescription.

I’m sure it will be fine, but if you have a number for the midwife team (GP might give it to you if you can’t find online) then I’m sure they would speak to you over the phone?

You can take up to 100ug/4000IU of vitamin D so it depends how much is in your pregnancy vitamin

Re: vitamin C, the upper limit is 1000mg per day

Yes I got it from my GP on prescription as knew I needed to take it and didn't want to wait until 8-10 weeks. I just asked and got it same day.

Im going to check the amounts in the pregnancy vitamins but feel reassured im probably ok with just that and the folic acid, thank you!

I could ring the midwives, I just think they are busy enough but probably should not think that way and ask too. In past experiences I dont think you get the straight answers from there or the GP though!

The high dose folic is something like 12.5 of the standard dose ones if I remember right. So that plus a standard takes you from 12.5 doses to 13.5 which in the grand scheme doesn't seem so drastic does it. That's what I did anyway.

I've just converted the pregnacare ones and its only 0.4mg of folic acid. So definitely not as much as I need. It sounds low when compared to 5mg recommendations!