Is taking vitamins a MUST?

[Lisa]

I wouldn't think about having a pregnancy where I didn't take folate for at least the first trimester.
I was slack with taking my folate whilst pregnant with Noah... and he had numerous abnormalities... who know's whether that's connected or not?
For my 1st trimester with Harrison, I took Blackmores Pregnancy and Breastfeeding tablets, plus I was already taking Folate before falling pregnant with him so I continued taking those tablets too as I needed a higher than normal dosage of folate.

To me, the very least I can do is take a tiny little tablet for 12 weeks for my baby. I think you should definitely at least take folate hun.

[~Flossie~]

I think it is VERY important! I started to take supplements before i TTC, then continued all the way into both my pregnancies and while b/f..

[meow]

It really depends on your diet. i took a vego multi (so no fish oil) and flaxseed capsules for omega. As I don't eat fish I wanted to make sure I was getting enough iodine and omega which are both very important. I was taking folate with that obviously but I think I would get enough folate in my diet.

Just take a look at your diet to amke sure it includes the important vitamins and minerals and you can decide. I've heard a lot of women feel sick taking Blackmores because of the fish oil so maybe you could try something else?

[Pretty Butterfly]

I think if your diet is good, you should only need folate.

I have always taken .5mg of folate, and have 2 kids with DEEP sacral dimples (spina bifida oculta), and a cleft bubbs, all known to maybe due to low folate.

I thought I was taking enough.

I have now been told most women should take 5mg during pregnancy, and this amount is completly safe. So I am!!!

Its a small, tiny tablet, and are $4.00 for 100!!!!

Its Megafol 5 , and is half the size of an asprin!!!

Just in case you wanna take it!!

[Lea79]

Hi,

Folate should be taken at least one month before conception to decrease risks associated with spinal bifida etc but can be ceased after the first trimester. Other supplements depend on what your blood results come back as. Most women find that particularly in the third trimester, their haemoglobulin can be low so take iron supplements such as fefol which is excellent while you are pregnant. Calcium supplements are often used too. Pregnancy supplements such as blackmores provide all the essential vitamins the pregnant woman can be lacking in but just make sure it does before you purchase as they can be expensive. If you partner this with a well balanced healthy diet you shouldn't have any probs. Hope this helps,

Leanne
student midwife/ registered nurse

[leebee81]

I took a women's multi with folate while TTC and until about 11 weeks, when I threw one up. I couldn't stand even the smell of them after that so stopped taking them. Next time I'll probably just take the folate on its own. I have a pretty good diet with lots of fresh veg, lean red meat, dairy etc so I don't think I need the rest.