Prenatal vitamins?

[mel~3jumpin beans]

Has anyone been to the doctor yet?? Im just wondering about starting prenatal vitamins, folic acid etc. Can you buy prenatals over the counter?

I guess I should give my doctor a call and get moving!

[busybusymomma]

I would buy a whole-foods prenatal vitamin at a health food store. More absorbable and from real foods and not a lab. Offhand, I hear good things about Rainbow Light prenatals.

Right now I'm finishing up my Melaleuca vitamins and using Floradix. I really don't think the vitamins from the pharmacy are all they're cracked up to be, but that's JMO. :wink And I'm drinking herbal pregnancy tea... with certain beneficial herbs in it you get minerals and stuff from enjoying a cup of tea (http://www.snowboardmommy.com/content/pregnancy/pregnancy-tea-infusion.php)!

[ksmommy]

I am finishing up my Melaleuca vitamins and then I will go to the Health Food store and see what they have there....

[mel~3jumpin beans]

What is Floradix?

[Willzmama]

can anyone recommend a prenatal vitamin that's not HUGE and will thus not make me gag? thanx.... :innocent

I saw my dr. yesterday and she asked if I'm taking some, which I am - just some I bought at the grocery store. But I like the idea of more natural ones if they meet the above requirement!

[busybusymomma]

What is Floradix?
Floradix is a liquid vitamin (so might be good for you Willzmama): http://www.florahealth.com/flora/home/canada/products/r4771.asp

It's iron and herbs... and I think my hfs had some of the Salus in a Calcium and Magnesium form too. I thought I'd check into it when I finish up my Melaleuca (that way I know I'm getting the folate).

[Naughty Dingo]

I get the cheapest ones I can, as long as they have enough folic acid. I also take a separate calcium supplement. The old prenatals I used to take had the calcium in it and that made the pill much bigger.

Mel, you need to get on a prenatal with folic acid ASAP! We already are in the critical period for spinal cord development where folic acid is the most important.

[dshields]

Target has the cheapest vits that I've seen...I like the Trader Joe's version.

[starlein26]

i was taking (pre-pregnancy) a brand called spring valley naturally complete multivitamin. it has 200% folic acid, but just 17% calcium...so i've been having my organic milk to drink. i might just stick with these throughout the pregnancy.

[peypeymama]

Willzma, the one I'm taking right now is the One Source brand from Wal-Mart, but the dose is 2 smaller caplets vs 1 giant one.

If you can't stomach any pills, you can get a prescription for liquid vits. Also, one of my friend's with severe m/s had to take chewables. (Talk to your healthcare provider)

[mamacatsbaby]

I'm so glad to see this! I've been wondering what you other mamas were doing about prenatals. I'm taking this brand by the name of Major that my sister gave to me. Once I'm out I'll see what all is out there. I also need a calcium supplement as well. I'm assuming I should get one that's cal/mag and say nix the zinc since the prenatal I'm taking says it contains 167% daily value for PG/lactating women. My first prenatal appointment will be sometime in the next few weeks and I figured I'd ask some questions about supplementation. What do you ladies do as far as calcium intake goes? Do you have any recomendations for supplements? (Not big on milk, all skim all the time, never drink it, eat my cereal with a fork! I do like hard cheeses, ice cream etc., veggies and nuts are not my friend right now. Yuck... ) :sick

[newmainer]

i take Rainbow Light, which is derived from whole foods. they're big, but so far haven't had much of a problem.

just a note about calcium... i think that eating calcium loaded veggies like broccoli and dark leafy greens is actually much better than drinking milk, according to some nutritionists.

[lunamay]

I also take rainbow light, the food based ones particularly. I buy them at the co-op here. I take theirs because it is more absorbable by my body and because since it is food based you can even take it on an empty stomach with no nausea. Much better than the ones I took last time!

I do love fresh kale on salads and sandwiches...really does taste good and great nutrients! I am not really into milk.