Need Advice on Prenatal Vitamins

Updated on April 29, 2009
D.S. asks from San Francisco, CA
31 answers

I'm trying to find the best prenatal vitamin for me - and am having a very hard time. I've bought several - but haven't started taking any of them yet. The "TwinLab" prenatal seemed good but contains Polysorbate 80 in the "inactive ingrediants" and I have read very bad things about that. The Trade Joes prenatal looks good - but too hard to swallow. The New Chapter Organics Perfect Prenatal seems maybe good but they add all this extra herbal stuff that I don't know if I really want to take. Can anyone recommend a prenatal that doesn't go over 100% of RDA on any ingredient for pregnant women, that doesn't have any extra herbal additives, that doesn't have any potentially toxic "inactive" ingredients like Polysorbate 80, and that is easy to swallow? Much appreciated!

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C.V.

answers from San Francisco on

Crossing my fingers it sticks for you too. I took "Stewarts" prenatual vits for both my pregnancies along with "Expectra" I love Stewarts, They are a little on the pricy side but you get 3 months worth at a time. Longs drugs is the best place to find them as they aren't sold in a lot of places. I also had to take a thyroid medication and there was not issues with either taken together.

Good luck.

SAHM/Zombie with 2 amazing very happy funny sons. 3.5years and 10 months who started walking at 7.5 months. Im super busy.

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S.R.

answers from Sacramento on

www.drrons.com has a good multi, that is great as a prenatal. Meets all the requirements without any bad stuff.

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M.W.

answers from San Francisco on

I know you had lots of responses, but I have two healthy kids, and I took Kaiser's over the counter prenatal pill. I do not know if they have additives, but they worked for me! Good luck!
M.

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D.T.

answers from San Francisco on

I was the sales rep for a professional line of supplements sold to Dr's and healthcare providers called Biotics Research. I quit when I had my baby. They are still the best and I still use them. If you can find a Dr in your area that sells them - get them. The prenatal is awesome b/c the iron is a separate tablet in case it upsets your stomach. (You could eliminate it and eat more high iron foods instead). Email me and tell me where you live and I can find someone for you to purchase through.

There are no reg's on supplements so we are just trusting what we get. Biotics manufactures and markets to Dr's. They actually answer to FDA b/c they make homeopathic remedies too - and everything has a lot number. They have so much science behind them. Knowing what I know now, I would NEVER purchase vitamins from a store again.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.B.

answers from Sacramento on

At your age, you may want to use prescription pre-natal vitamins. I used them for my pregnancy when I was 40. I cannot remember the name but I had no problems during the pregnacy and a very healthy and bright boy resulted.

K.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.M.

answers from San Francisco on

If I were pregnant, I would consider pre-natal vitamins important enough that I would want to ask my doctor, not the random respondents on an on-line advice site.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.T.

answers from Modesto on

try Nature's Sunshine

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D.G.

answers from San Francisco on

I don't know if it meets your requirements, but I would take the Flintstone vitamins. They are easy to swallow and are less likely to make you feel ill from taking them. My OB had recommended them -- she said that once you're pregnant, the vitamins are really for the mom.

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C.P.

answers from San Francisco on

My acupuncturist had me on Standard Process which is all organic and food based. They grow the foods used to make the vitamins. She explained the you are getting the whole mineral not just one part so your body can actually absorb it. The down side is you have to buy from a distributor (not sold in stores) and you need to take a few types. Your multi plus a B I also took Immuplex an immunity booster because I was an elementary teacher and got sick a lot. You know you have good vitamins when there's no flourescent pee!

Congratulations,
-C.

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A.P.

answers from San Francisco on

I liked the one at trader joe's too. I took that one and it worked well. Try braking it in half if it's too hard. I wasn't a fan of the nature's made, it just didn't have enough of the b vitamins to give u that added energy. I tried it and I was always tired and when you're pregnant u need everything healthy to give u that added boost. ask you're dr. too about recommendations. there was a prenatal vitamin my dr. gave me, but it was by prescription only and it definitely helped out with exhaustion. I don;t remember the name, but my insurance at the time didn't cover it so I only had the sample that my dr. gave me. good luck.

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M.G.

answers from San Francisco on

The best vitamins are not the over the counter ones. Do you remember Bobbi McCaughey? This is the first-ever mother of septuplets to all survive birth. She used the Vitality Pack from Melaleuca. They now have added Prenatal Omega-3, this is the first and only natural prenatal supplement that includes the recommended source of Omega3 to support baby's brain and eye development. There is not enough space here for me to go into any of the scientific findings. If you are interested in knowing more you can contact me at home ###-###-#### or email ____@____.com
I am not selling these, I am only giving information this is your choice. I can only tell you that I will never again use any other vitamins but these. I had chronic fatigue and the Vitality for Life boosted my immune system and it is now gone.
Sincerely M.
Proud Mom of 2 grown sons
PGA Golf Pro & a 1st Lt. USMC

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E.F.

answers from Salinas on

i had a lot of problems tolerating pre-natal vitamins. they were way to potent for me & i wound up getting physically sick (nausea/vomitting). I triead about 5 different brands - same problem.

the Dr finally told me to take 2 children's chewable flintstones' vitamins... no problems after that what so ever...

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J.L.

answers from Sacramento on

Be sure to take iron what ever vitamin you choose. I didn't take any with my first one, and had a lot of bleeding, fainted and was seriously iron poor after.

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A.T.

answers from Stockton on

My OBGYN told me to take whatever is the least expensive - not to go for all the extra fancy ingredients as long as it has the right amount of folic acid etc.
I take Nature's Blend Prenatal Formula - I got it at Kaiser's pharmacy - it's apparently a generic version of Stuart Prenatal #1. It's 1 pill about the size of a normal vitamin with a smooth coating. It doesn't upset my stomach or make me burp vitamin taste like some of the ones I've tried from the healthfood store. GNC has a prenatal that was 2 pills - when I was expecting my son I took them 1 at breakfast and 1 at dinner which seemed to be easy on my tummy too.

you're going to find yourself obsessing over a lot of tiny details for the next 9 months - it's normal. ;)
Take those vitamins t o get your folic acid or just take folic acid along with your regular vitamin.
Just wait until you try to choose a car seat! Yikes!

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M.S.

answers from San Francisco on

D.,

Congratulations!~ Ask your OB for some samples of prenatal vitamins- then try them out for a few days to see how you like them, and then have the doctor write you a prescription. There are so many prenatal vitamins out there-- the ones they give you in the office generally tend to be better tolerated than the ones that you buy at the store-from my experience.

Take care,

Molly

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S.B.

answers from Sacramento on

I know of hundreds of gals who have been using a whole food supplement that is totally safe during pregnancy (21 yr. old company)... in fact my daughter is due in June and she's used this as her prenatal. She is feeling awesome. Others have shared that their pregnancy has been so much easier than previous pregnancies, their delivery and recovery was much better. If you'd like more information, contact me and I can give you more information ###-###-####
Sue

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J.P.

answers from San Francisco on

The best one I found that didn't make me want to throw it back up was Rainbow Light "food-based" Prenatal--only one a day. I'm still taking it since I'm still breastfeeding! I get mine at Nob Hill Foods, if you're not near a health food store.

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S.S.

answers from San Francisco on

I got prescriptions from my doctor for vitamins. Every pharmacy is different with what they fill them with. I really liked the ones at Longs and Safeway. Not sure what they were full of but they smelled like vanilla and were very easy to take.

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J.H.

answers from San Francisco on

congratulations! i was concerned about taking the very best prenatal vitamins on the market. my obgyn told me it doesn't matter and that Target's brand were fine. she said price doesn't indicate anything. i took 'em and my son is now 15 months and healthy! good luck!

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R.G.

answers from San Francisco on

Ditto on the Nature Made at Costco. It contained enough pills for the entire pregnancy and for breastfeeding. What ever you decide to take, you should start taking ASAP so that you have the folic acid you need for your developing fetus.
Wishing you the best!

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J.E.

answers from San Francisco on

The Vitality For Life vitamins from Melaleuca are awesome. They have pre-natals that are doctor approved. Contact me for help getting them. J.

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D.L.

answers from Sacramento on

Congratulations, D.. I was very happy with the Nature Made vitamin/mineral supplement. It meets the FDA's RDA criteria for pregnant and lactating women, doesn't contain a bunch of additional ingredients, and it was very easy for my system to absorb. I found the best deal on it at Costco. Good luck and take care.
D.

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C.L.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi D., I looked up the label of the New Chapter Organics and there is nothing dangerous in it. C

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I.L.

answers from Alexandria on

congratulations D.! How very exciting for you!
With my first I had a difficult time finding a good vitamin that didn't make me sick, or give me an upset stomach all day.
Most of the vitamins you can buy at the drugstore are junk. They are synthetic and so full of other things that your body metabolizes very little of the good stuff.
The vitamin that finally worked for me, and I continue to take as I nurse my second child (2months old) is called Prenatal nutrients by pure encapsulations.
The only ingredient besides the vitamins is capsule itself. No extra herbs either. 100% of what you need with 2 exceptions; it has 250% of folic acid and 150% RDA of iron.
I have had not difficulties taking this vitamin at all.
Pure encapsulations sells only top quality completely natural supplements. You can't buy them at any drug store. You have to buy them from a professional (nutritionist, chiropractor, etc) or online. My nutrionist recommended them to me, and I buy them online at thenaturalonline.com
Please consider these vitamins. Please also check out this site because along with this brand of prenatals there are several other brands that are going to be natural and better for you than what you could pick up at trader joes or the drug store.
Again, congratulations to you!

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C.A.

answers from Sacramento on

I had similar concerns. I have some info on natural solutions, I will write back at lunch.

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C.A.

answers from San Francisco on

I agree with the first response. However, you may want to call tomorrow and see if you can swing buy and pick up some samples before your first appointment. It's really important to be taking them ASAP. My OB and GP both told me to start taking them a 2 weeks to a month before trying to conceive.
Congratulations!!!!!

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L.B.

answers from San Francisco on

Market America sells a prenatal vitimin that you can drink! Isotonix Prenatal Multivitimin, it has a great taste, acts quickly and is easy to take. Isotonix means same preassure, which in order for a substance to be absorbed and used in the body's metabolism, it must be in an isotonic state, superior delivery and rapid absorption! It has a liquid absorption rate of nearly 100% of the vitimin. It has a tart lemon taste, which seems to help many women with nausea symptoms. Check out my website link to the product! Good Luck! http://www.marketamerica.com/lynnettebenard/index.cfm?act...

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C.L.

answers from Stockton on

Hi D.:

The best vitamins that I have found are at www.livetotalwellness.com/workgreen They have no inactive ingedients that can hurt you or your little one.
hope this info helps.

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L.S.

answers from San Francisco on

As a nutritionist, I highly advise that you go beyond the RDA (ridiculous daily allowance) on most if not all of the nutrients. I recommend Super Nutrition Prenatal Blend (not their one-a-day prenatal as one-a-days don't contain enough of most things especially calcium). You won't regret taking a high quality multi-vitamin at the most important time for you and your little one! Oh yeah, you can find it at a significant discount online.

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H.J.

answers from San Francisco on

I've been using the TwinLab prenatals for the past 3 years (pregnant, then nursing, then nursing & pregnant, and now just nursing), and I think they're excellent. You might want to keep in mind that "100% of USRDA" actually means "just barely enough to keep you from getting one of the major diseases caused by malnutrition that we knew about decades ago", such as rickets, scurvy, or beriberi. With the exception of vitamin A, current research is mostly finding that those amounts are very low. Any cheap prenatal you can buy at Target will have 100% of most of the things it has.
I'm 37, and pay close attention to nutrition, anyway--and decided that the TwinLab prenatals provided the best nutrition for my budget.
One of the nice things about the TwinLab prenatals is that they're a capsule, rather than a pill--more easily dissolved for touchy tummies.

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N.P.

answers from San Francisco on

Congratulations! Go to your nearest health food store and they can help you!

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