Non Prescription Prenatal Vitamins

The cheaper brand of prenatal vitamins at Walmart had greater values of nutrients then the prescription ones I had. So I bought and took the cheaper ones even though the prescription ones were free because of being military. I took them with my last 2 pregnancies. Both of my babies are very smart and healthy, and born 3 wks early (because each was a planned c-section) with no complications. Doctors don't read the bottles you can buy on the shelf. He or she is just covering their butt because they don't want to tell you something they have no idea about. Just don't double up on your vitamins. You still only need the regular amount. Make sure the ones you want to take have at least 800mg of folic acid.

I took a brand of Isotonic supplements before, during and after BOTH of my pregnancies and my doc actually told me it was ok to do these kind. Isontonic means same pressure and ph as your body fluids so it's recognized immediately by your body and therefore giving you 95% absorption. Don't let pills or tablets fool you b/c your only getting around 40% at best for the absorbtion rate. I'm a health and wellness educator and did my research as well as consulted my docs. In fact, I know several docs that give this type of supplement the O.K. Besides, some people hate to swallow those big horse pills anyway. This you drink when mixed with H2O. So, to answer you question, I did not take the prescribed prenatal and my kids are healthy and happy! You need to be your own doc sometimes too and do your own research. Good Luck!

I started out with percription pre-natal vitamins, but just like you I wanted to know if it was okay to take non-prescription vitamins. Around my 3rd or 4th month of preganancy I switched to Stewart Pre-natal vitamins brand. I really liked them and I stuck with them throughout my entire pregnancy. My son was born healthy weighing 8 lbs 15 oz. I plan on taking stewart prenatals again with my next one!

Hi M.,
Although my children are older, we have some wonderful vitamins from the company I work with. We have a Prenatal Multivitamin and also a Prenatal Omega 3 which has 2200mg of fish oil concentrate. Since I'm a member of the group the MOM Team, we have plenty of women who have just had babies and I'm sure I can ask them about the natural prenatal vitamins and suppliments. If you're interested in finding out more, please let me know.

K.

alot of my family and friends took over ther counter prenatals. i think that if you make sure it has all the right stuff in it, and make sure there is enough folic acid that it is fine to take. some times prescriptions cane become so expensive it makes it hard to afford them. i say go ahead and do what you feel is right.

I'm pregnant with my second baby and am taking the same vitamins that I took with my first. I'm taking Rite Aid brand and they're high in folic acid. When I tried to take the prescription vitamins they made me sick. My son who is now 20 months was born 7lbs. 7 1/2 oz. He was healthy and evry alert. I personally don't think it matters if they're prescription or not. You do whats right for you.

Everything went the way it was suppose to for me and now my son is a healthy boy.

My insurance wouldn't cover prescription prenatal vitamins so all 9 months I took non prescription one the One Source Prenatal ones and some extra vitamins that those prenatal ones didn't have enough of like folic acid and fish oil. But otherwise I had a very healthy 7lb 13oz baby 8 months ago. So, I hope this helps you out.

My OB told me that it was safe to take non-percription prenatals. They actually recommended store brand. The perscription prenatals made me sick. He also said that if the prenatals continued to make me sick, I could just take "Flinstone" vitamins and an iron supplement.

I actually could not tolerate prenatal vitamins at all. I tried prescription first and then over-the-counter. All made me very ill and I was throwing-up so much that taking them was worse for the baby than not.

I ended up taking two extra-iron Flinstone vitamins through my whole pregnancy and drinking a lot of orange juice and milk for added folic acid and calcium. My son was born big, strong and extremely healthy. He was 8 pounds 3 ounces and 21 inches long. I think as long as you are taking some kind of vitamin you and eating well will be okay. Follow your instincts, they will lead you in the right direction.

when i was pregnant i too was concerned about all the pre-natal vitamins to choose from... there are so many, which one is best??? well, i talked to my ob and she basically chuckled. her belief was that they're pretty much all the same (just make sure they have folic acid) so go with the one that feels best to you. i tried a few and found that some made me feel "sicker" than others so that's how i chose. my ob never even entertained the possibility of perscribing a prenatal vitamin. although, if it's a perscription, your insurance my cover some of it and that might be worth it (bcs they are expensive), but i'm not sure about that.

I didn't take any any at all because they made me horribly sick and my son was/is fine!! I know it wasn't the best thing but I threw up all day and night the full pregnancy so it was better to be able to keep some food in then encourage more vomiting.
Remember scripts are also written by docs so insurance will cover them and/or they get their own benefits for writing out certain ones. Just make sure you don't take one that has too much of the vitamin. It isn't always healthy either. I'm sure if you've done your homework on it you'll be fine taking them. It's ok to stand up to your doctor and tell her what you want to do and why. See what she has to say.
Sometimes vitamins aren't regulated like Something that has gone through the FDA (ie something you need the prescription for like these vitamins).

N.

I used the CVS brand and my doctor thought they were fine. Actually, I still use them, even 2 years after delivery. I use them as a daily vitamin (doctor said it is fine)

M.-
I did not take prescription prenatal vitamins. Even with Health Insurance they are just too expensive. But besides that being a first time mom I discussed it with many different OB's (I worked in a hospital) and of course with my own doctor. Prescription/non-prescription does not make a difference. Just make sure the over the counter vitamins has enough of the supplements that you need to take.
Good Luck... Ultimately go with your gut.
K. L

I have never taken prescription prenatals and I have 3 perfectly healthy kids. I take what is known as a whole food supplement...a multi-vitamin, calcium lactate, iron, folic acid and fish oil for omega 3's. It seems like a lot, but its better for you because the absorption is higher.

The doctor is probably pushing the script prenatals because the pharmaceutical companies PAY doctor's for prescribing their drugs. Take the script with a smile, then just dont fill it! That will at least keep her off your back. Or if you dont mind being confrontaional, tell her no thank you and why you refuse them. Its your choice...you are your own health care advocate! Good Luck!

The presciption ones are the same as the otc ones.
I took childrens 2 chewable vitamins, I know people who didn't take any and our kids are fine.

I think doctors and nurses all have different opinions on most everything! (at first I thought you meant what vitamins the baby takes, oops!) Some vitamins absorb more than others. Some "come out" the same as when they went in...I took the prenatal's that the Dr. gave me. It had the same stuff in it as the recommended over the counter prenatals (but it was free!)I'd ask a GNC professional which ones absorb best. Good luck :)R.

I would really stay with what the doctor prescribes. They know how much folic acid your body will need during pregency. I won't take the risk of taking anything else, it may only hurt you and the baby in the long run.

The only advice I can give you is TAKE THE PRESCRIPTION and NOTHING MORE!! There is 1mg of Folic Acid in the rx and any more can cause damage to the baby... there is .8mg in the over the counter stuff! I was a pharmacy technician for 5 years and please please please listen to your dr. If you feel you arent getting enough from the rx talk to your dr about it. But I am sure you are.

My sister took non prescription ones bc turned out the prescription ones were more expensive even with her insurance. The baby was healthy, 9 lbs. Just eat well too!
Congratulations and Good Luck!

I took non prescription vitamins during both of my pregnancies and both of my children are (and have been since birth) very healthy.

I started on the RX but switched to solgar as they actually had more vitamins and minerals (in terms of quantity and variety) than the RX. This was on the advice of a friend who is a nutritionist. I also took fish oil capsules that I bought at the health food store that were guaranteed to not have mercury. My daughter is 7mos old, healthy, happy, babbling, crawling, teething, standing and already says mama and dada so I would say the Solgar pre-natals were wonderful.

When I was pregnant, I tried prescription pre-natal vitamins. They made me sick-actually a couple made me sick.

So I asked, if I could take GNC non iron-pre-natal vitamins.
She checked to make sure I was getting the total amount needed for every vitamin.
I ended up taking 2 every night.
She said it had a lower does of Vitamin B which is what makes you feel sick. She said this brand is perfectly fine.

Name brand prescription medicines are FDA regulated which means they have to have years of scientific data to prove that it works. They do not have this for vitamins. They can only suggest that it MAY help. There is no way to prove which vitamins are better than others. Just listen to the Centrum Vitamin-lycopene commercial.

When I took iron, I was tested and it was shown thru tests that my body was not absorbing it but you can not do this for all vitamins. So in addition to my prenatal, I took iron.

Dont forget Doctors gets perks for giving you "free samples" and prescribing you certain pre-natal brands. This may be why she is encouraging you to pick this certain one.

I have a very healthy child and I took my vitamins and drank all my water every day.

I think you should go to your nearest natural food store and check out some prenatal vitamins there. Preferably wholefood vitamins, which are more easily absorbed by the body. They come from actual whole foods instead of synthetics. Drug companies would love you to believe that their vitamins are the only ones that work, but most all work well, with few exceptions. You want to make sure there is enough folic acid and other vitamins, but not too much Vitamin A. Which in high doses can cause birth defects. Researchers recommended that pregnant women either limit their vitamin A consumption to 4,000 to 8,000 IU daily or, alternatively, take beta-carotene(which is found in fresh fruits and veggies, such as carrots). Other than that, see what works best for you. And if in doubt, bring whatever vitamins you choose to your next doctor's appointment. You also have internet access and books that will tell you how much of each vitamin should be taken while pregnant. Don't be afraid to do your own research, and take your health into your own hands. Also, remember, that a vitamin supplement is just that....a SUPPLEMENT to a healthy diet. That's where you'll gain most benefit from. So do what you feel is best for you and your baby. Some women who make sure they take in adequate nutrients from fresh whole foods such as fruits, veggies, fresh pressed juices, whole grains, sprouts and such, don't feel it's neccessary to even take vitamins. But it's all based on each individual, how well they eat, and what they're comfortable with. Good luck!

The only reason I would recommend prescription is because it often comes with a stool softener. Pregnancy and the need for higher amounts of iron could be greatly constipating. If you are willing to take a separate pill, you can try stuart prenatal which is over the counter (I switched to it after I started breastfeeding).

When pregnant with my 1st child the prenatal vitamins made me naseaus so i took 2 Flintstone vitamins and a folic acid (the doctor told me to) and my daughter is just about 10 and perfect! Keep in mind though that too much vitamins can also be unhealthy. You should take the advice of your doctor. They should know what you need and what is best for your baby.

M.:

prescription vs non prescription doesn't matter as much but it has to be a pre-natal vitamin. During pregnancy more is not better. Certain vitamins in excess during pregnancy can cause problems i.e. too much vitamin A can cause birth defects. You will also need more folic acid. You can find a lot of information around this in pregnancy books and websites. Babycenter.com is a very good one if you prefer the internet to books. Prenatal vitamins have the proper recommended values for pg women. I have a friend that only consumed non prescription b/c the prescription ones upset her stomach. Talk to your dr about this again you don't want to take more vitamins than the recommended amount. Excess vitamins is bad for everyone but more so for pregnant women. Hope this helps.

O.