Prenatal Vitamins - Glenview, IL

If the one you pick is on Rx...just keep in mind that I think Meijer's grocery store offers free prenatal vitamins as well as antibiotics. That may save you a few dollars.

Good luck and congrats!!
K.

Prenatal Vitamins are formulated differently as they have more folic acid and less Vitamin A than a regular Multi-Vitamin. Both are crucial for healthy baby development and it can be quite dangerous for the fetus to have too much Vitamin A. So its better to get a prenatal. I always used over the counter prenatal vitamins. Essentially I believe our pregnant bodies will be fine just with a healthy diet, however it is a lot of time and effort sometimes. So go along with a prenatal.

I, too, was given 3 diff. ones to try by my OB recently. Which, at first, I thought was funny because when I was pregnant last year they gave me samples and I still had two of the boxes left (b/c I miscarried) and I told him that - he responded with the fact that prenatals had changed in that time and it was important to have the DHA. I like the Primacare One.
Oh, some of the readers suggested that just a regular multi-vitamin would be ok, but it's not. There are multiple reasons, but mainly especially because your OB told you it wasn't right for you, then it isn't. Also, my OB didn't like me taking OTC prenatls (when I orignally was) because he didn't know what was in them. If you want to try the OTC, suggest it to the OB first and let him know what's in the one you want to try. You see an OB for a reason - because they are trained and specialize in this area. If he is suggesting something, he's more than likely giving you the right advice.

My doc told me to just use an over the counter prenatal vitamin. I used either Walgreens or Target brand because they had the exact same ingredients as the brands that were 5 times as expensive. Not sure what the difference is between over the counter and prescription prenatals though. Maybe something to ask your doc? Did he say you have to use a prescription vitamin or did he just give them to you because they were samples he had? Oh, and I did not have one day of stomach upset during my pregnancy. I have no idea if that was due to luck or my prenatal vitamins.

Whichever one you end up using, good luck and I hope you have an easy pregnancy!

It has been a while since i took prenatal vitamins so I can't help you out with best brands but I can tell you that a multi-vitamin is just as good as long as it has the much needed vitamins for your changing body. But a lot of doctors know that if you have maternity insurance it should cover your prescribed prenatal vitamins which is less money out of your pocket but if your vitamins are not covered talk to your doctor about a good over the counter multi-vitamin, it is cheaper.

Good Luck,
S.

I was always just given one, but that was three years ago and as you say much can change in such a little time. I would try them and stick with the one that causes the least amount of heart burn and stomach upset. I don't know the difference between them but I'm sure the doc wouldn't give you anything less than the other. The most important thing is getting all your folic in.

I am BIG into vitamins so I am very selective about the ones I take. The advice given from that gal that mentioned hydrogentated oils and preservatives is right. I have never been impressed by the ones given from the doctor. Also, taking a regular vitamin can be unsafe. Vitamin A in too high of quantities can be dangerous and taking too much vitamin c during pregnancy can lead to children who require more than normal levels of vitamin c in their diets.

My favorite that I tell everyone about is by Pure Essence Labs and it's called Master Prenatal. It costs $39.99 at Fruitful Yield but it's am AMAZING product. Also, I would recommend a calcium supplement and for DHA take Carlson's Cod Liver Oil. I know fish and pregnancy are not a safe combo but this oil is supurb and offers something like 945 mg of DHA per teaspoon full. They are the only company, that I know of, that takes as many precausions as it does to ultra purify the oil so it's completely safe. Spread the prenatal and calcium through the day, 2 of each with each meal and take the last dose of calcium in the evening before bed with the cod liver oil as it helps the oil be used properly and to be absorbed correctly.

Oh and PS - the stool softeners in the Rx kind are chemically based where as in the Pure Essence Labs they use natural enzymes. Plus the vitamin B12 in this product is also the better of its kind that doesn't need to be processed through the liver like the other form of B12. Seriously, it's worth the money.

I have been on different prenatals for years(my first was born in 3/03), and I have taken the Primacare One which I liked. What always helped me choose was the cost - some of them have a generic, which work just as well and are a LOT cheaper - even with insurance.

Congrats and good luck!

I take the prenatal vitamins with iron from GNC and an additional DHA supplement called Expectra (found at Target, Walmart, etc) that my OB recommended.

The vitamin is just an additional thing to have during those times your body is lacking some nutrient and isn't a replacement for healthy eating.

I did this with my first baby (born 4 1/2 weeks early at 7 pounds who was perfect and healthy and has been ever since, thank God!) and am doing the same for this baby.

I think the difference between prescription and OTC is the amount of Folic Acid. I think I tried the Duet, but preferred the Citracal, which came in a pink box (but not one of your choices).

I have only tried the duet dha, and boy did it make me sick! I have three children and have been on prenatal vitamins for almost six years. I never had nausea like I did with the Duet. I would try that one last.

The best way to test and see if your vitamins are absorbing in your body is to put one in one cup of white vinegar for 30-min. Vinegar has the same acidity as your stomach. (makes for a good summer science project!) If it dissolves, it is absorbing in your body, if not, then toss out the vitamin. One of the best OTC is Rainbow Light Prenatal One, it has everything you need including herbs that help with nausea and ease digestion. There are even digestive enzymes in them that you will not see in your Rx brand or generic versions. It is also a food-based vitamin which means it is made from food, so it easily and readily absorbs in your body. They are also vegan-certified. The difference with Rx versions is that it is infused with DHA, but not all DHA is created equal or made from a good source. Nordic Naturals makes a high quality DHA for pregnant and nursing women, both vitamins can be found at Whole Foods or you can order the prenatals at www.smartbomb.com or www.vitaminshoppe.com Honestly, Rx versions are pretty much synthetic and are not necessary, just another way for the drug companies to maximize their revenue. New Chapter is another high quality prenatal. Good luck!

D.,
i didn't take the prenatals because all of the one's the dr gave me samples for had preservatives and one even had hydrogentated oil..are you familiar with the warnings on that? not good.
so a doctor told me about juice plus fruits and veggies and vineyard. i took that and it has the 400 mcg for iron and no bad stuff. i ordered at www.yourdailyservings.com
that was 6 years ago. now i do share it with other mom's and have a pediatrician sharing it in his practice. worth every penny! esp with the cost of food now! 1.38 a day for me and my baby so worth it for 17 fruits and veggies. look at the site and the research (science).
www.preventionchicago.com is another good resource for free health talks...