What vitamins are you taking?

[Nicole730]

What vitamins are you taking as you TTC and then after becoming pregnant?

My last pregnancy, I loaded up on B's before conceiving, taking 2 B-Complex vitamins a day.  I also took a prenatal.

We are going to start TTC in October and I am taking B vitamins twice daily.  My mom bought me two separate bottles of folic acid, so I have them in my cabinet, but I'm not taking them yet.  I also have iron, cod liver oil, and vitamin D that I do not take daily. 

I'm thinking of just continuing on my B's for as long as a can (usually stop after nausea sets in and switch to just B-6) and then adding in a general multi-vitamin.  Should I add an extra folic acid in right now since I have so many?  Or just switch to that once I'm not taking my B-complex?  Or should I not even buy a multi-vitamin and just take one each of the individual ones I have. 

If you don't take a prenatal, but you do take vitamins, which ones do you take?

[kittenbritches]

I'd check to see how much (if any) folic acid is in your general multi-vitamin and make your decision based on that.  You should shoot for around 800mcg per day, and you'll want to start now, since the neural tube starts forming before we usually know we're pregnant.  From what I've read, it is a good idea to start taking the folic acid before you start TTC (or, if you're not waiting, when you decide to start trying).

Last cycle I took a prenatal, folic acid, B6, B12, Evening Primrose Oil, Fish Oil, vitamin E, and zinc.  This cycle I'm just going to take my prenatal (and my husband it taking ginseng and gingko biloba).

Edited by kittenbritches - 9/6/11 at 11:10pm

[TeamViddy]

I have been taking a general women's multi which has more than 100% RDA of folic acid, so I just decided to finish off the bottle rather than starting the prenatals. It also has evening primrose and some other good stuff in it.

I sometimes take some extra B vitamins, and I take a women's Omega 3 blend that has a few good oils in it (and tastes like chocolate sauce, mmmm). I also get those Good Belly probiotic juices when I can, and those have some good vitamins in them as well.

[casmer]

Currently I'm taking a pre-natal (Rainbow Light Brand), Vitamin C and when remember to buy more...Fish Oil (Barlean's Brand)

[calpurnia7]

I'm taking my normal regimen right now: food-based multis with 100% folic acid, probiotics, calcium with magnesium, spirulina, acai, and greens powder in water with ground chia seeds.

[kittenbritches]

So you all are aware, 100% RDA of folic acid for a NON-pregnant woman is 400mcg.  When TTC/pregnant, the recommended dosage is 700-800mcg per day.  :)

[toothfairy2be]

Right now I'm only taking rainbow light prenatals, coromega fish oil w/coQ10, calc/mag/zinc. I stopped flip flopping supplements every month, and now my cycles finally seem normal again... If you are ovulating regularly, don't mess with a good thing! My DH takes a men's multiple and exttra vitamin e.

Also, in regards to what kitten britches said about folic acid, you definitely need 800mg, also it takes 90 days to build up the suppply in your blood, so you would really want to start ASAP if you will be trying soon, since the neural tubes start at conception! Good Luck Ladies!

Edited to fix the autocorrect on my ipad changing neural tubes to some foreign word... sorry!
Edited by toothfairy2be - 9/7/11 at 9:41am

[Nicole730]

I haven't had fertility problems in the past, but I do want to make sure I have a healthy base to start with.  I felt a lot better with my second pregnancy than my first and I think it's because of all the B's I added in.   Good to know on the 90 days!  Thanks.

[TeamViddy]

Thanks for that info about folic acid! Good to know.

[KodyAnn]

I am taking prenatals, calcium, and vitamin D. 

(I have Rheumatoid Arthritis - hence the extra calcium, and am vitamin D deficient, hence the vitamin D).

I am taking the gummy kind - I choke on the standard ones. :)

[calpurnia7]

Originally Posted by cbaa2010 

Also, in regards to what kitten britches said about folic acid, you definitely need 800mg, also it takes 90 days to build up the suppply in your blood, so you would really want to start ASAP if you will be trying soon, since the neural tubes start at conception! Good Luck Ladies!
 

I picked up some folic acid at Whole Foods yesterday - I was surprised by how inexpensive it is (I got their private label, it's very high-quality), and how small the tablets are.  It's not possible to od on folic acid, is it?  I'm probably taking about 275% of my RDA.

I also highly recommend chia seeds for anyone trying to get some great food-based EFA's.  My skin looks glossy and my nails are stronger, so apparently they're doing something good!

[toothfairy2be]

I think there is a thing as too much Folic acid, but you'd have to look into it, I don't remember what the # is that you should not exceed.

[Nicole730]

Folate (folic acid)

High doses greater than 1000µg per day can mask a potential deficiency of B12, and very high doses of 15,000µg per day or more can cause central nervous system damage.

From: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/symptomsvitaminoverdose.htm 

µg = mcg

[gr00vymama]

I take Rainbow Light Prenatal, New Chapter Calcium, a B-complex, Barleans Fish Oil, Vitex and probiotics.  I also take a couple natural supplements for depression which I will probably stop once pregnant.

[reelala]

I take the New Chapter Organic Prenatal (love them), Nordic Naturals Prenatal DHA (strawberry flavored - no fish burps), New Chapter Organics Probiotics and just started with the Red Rasberry Leaf Tea (2ish cups per day).  I also switched over to 2% milk and try to drink 1-2 glasses per day for the calcium.

Great thread!