Vitamins or not?

[matemate]

Wife is newly pregnant (5 weeks). I am reading the forum and people say one should take vitamins like Materna.

Doctor says folic acid is good but no Materna.

Reading a book 'what to expect when you are expecting' and it also suggest to take vitamins (like Materna).

is the doctor wrong or what do you suggest?

thanks for help

 

[babyat23]

There are different opinions out there but health experts usually advise women trying to conceive to start taking a prenatal vitamin 6 weeks before. So it seems strange your DR advised your 5 weeks pregnant wife just to take folic acid. Folic acid is very important but other minerals and vitamins all play a part in keeping both mom and baby healthy. I would suggest taking the prenatal vitamin.

 

[babyat23]

Just wanted to add Materna contains 1000 mcg of Folic acid...so if your wife is taking it there is no need to take additional folic acid supplements.

 

[TheQuasimother]

Maybe that's what your doctor meant... Take Folic Acid but no Materna as you'd be taking too much folic acid.

 

[FutureHKmom]

My doctor told me just to take folic acid until my second trimester, then started me on Materna.

 

[matemate]

futurehkmom, what was the rationale from your doctor if i may ask? it seems similar to what my wife was told without giving any rationale

 

[ohbaby]

I asked my doctor the same and he suggested I take folic acid until 2nd trimester, then take the Materna. Not sure the rationale for that.

 

[Portia]

One reason the doctor might tell you to take the folic acid, but not Materna is that the iron in the Materna makes some women feel more more morning sick to the point of actual sickness. Maybe your doctor takes the view that taking the folic acid and keeping it down is more important. Also, as far as I understand the baby can quite easily get everything it needs from the mother in the first trimester, except the folic acid.

 

[kip1]

When do you normally start taking pre natal vitamins? I have read that people normally take folic acid when trying to get pregnant. We are going to start trying in the next few months so just wondering if there's anything I should be taking or begin thinking about taking? Any type/ brand etc particularly recommended? Thanks!

 

[Shenzhennifer]

When I got pregnant the first time (later miscarried) my doctor prescribed me folic acid and a B vitamin (can`t remember which one, maybe 12) to help with morning sickness. After tha prescription finished I started taking pre-natal vitamins. When I was pregnant with my son, I just started taking pre-natals myself right away.