Anyone else not taking prenatals?

[vermontgirl]

Hi all, 

I am 10 weeks pregnant and have been avoiding prenatal vitamins this time around. They are hard to stomach and I eat really healthy . Anyone else purposefully avoiding prenatals?  

-Hannah

[Magali]

I did for my last pregnancy.  I don't take vitamins in general and just try to eat well.  They didn't ever make me sick, I just don't take vitamins.

[BabySmurf]

I'm not taking them either.  I feel like they interfere with my body's ability to tell me if I need something.  I eat healthy as well, so I don't feel like there is a need.  You aren't alone!

[KnittingTigers]

Well, I'm not consciously not taking them, but I've been so sick that they've been really hard to stomach. We're having twins, and my OB said that the only really important thing was to make sure that I'm getting enough folic acid. So, I have been taking a folic acid supplement, but most days that's it.
 

[Sohum mama]

Originally Posted by KnittingTigers 

Well, I'm not consciously not taking them, but I've been so sick that they've been really hard to stomach. We're having twins, and my OB said that the only really important thing was to make sure that I'm getting enough folic acid. So, I have been taking a folic acid supplement, but most days that's it.

 

Same here.

[josie423]

I'm not. I have a good diet and I find prenatals, and I've only used natural ones, hard on my stomach. Plus I never remember even when I tried taking them in past pregnancies.

[Espion]

I'm taking them every day, but not for any good reason.  Vitamins are not regulated - they could have anything or nothing in there.  I know what is in spinach, tomatoes and milk.  Diet is probably more important.    

[Teles]

I take them everyday but it's really more to fill in the holes I may have left that day. I eat a healthy, balanced diet but I don't like to have to think so much about whether or not I'm getting all the vitamins necessary in a day, every day. I was vegan for a while years ago and gave it up because I really hated having to create a plan to make sure I was getting everything necessary, so I do what I can to avoid living like that again.

I've always had trouble with vitamins being hard on my stomach, but I've found that when I take them smack dab in the middle of a meal there's no issue. If I even take them after a meal (like with the last bite or two) or I try to get away with only eating a snack and taking one, my stomach churns and aches for a good half hour.

[LDoulaSteph]

I don't take them. No real reason except I throw up alot and they never seemed to stay down so I just gave up. I didn't take them last pregnancy either and was never deficient. I did have to take a little bit of extra iron for a week towards the end but that didn't last long either and by birth I was good. 

[MrsGregory]

I didn't take them.  My diet was healthy before pregnancy, but during the first 5 months all I could really eat was Rice Krispies, and yet I still could not and therefore did not take prenatals, after trying two different types.  My daughter arrived fat, sleek and sassy anyway.

[Georgetown HB Mom]

Originally Posted by KnittingTigers 

Well, I'm not consciously not taking them, but I've been so sick that they've been really hard to stomach. We're having twins, and my OB said that the only really important thing was to make sure that I'm getting enough folic acid. So, I have been taking a folic acid supplement, but most days that's it.
 

Folic acid is in just about everything, especially cereals and other grains. Also folic acid is to prevent neural tube defects which occur very early in pregnancy around the 4-5 week mark. If you are past that then folic acid will do nothing for you because if the baby is going to have a defect that folic acid prevents it has already happened.

[vermontgirl]

Another thing...prenatals have lots of calcium in them. My sister thinks they caused her to have kidney stones while pregnant. I definitely would want to avoid that. Thoughts? 

[baileyandmikey]

I always do during pregnancy, but this time they made me so sick, I stopped after week 12.  

[phathui5]

If you're not taking prenatals, it's really a good idea to take a folic acid supplement or B-complex to help prevent neural tube defects.