its better to take them..especially if your not monitoring your diet! Folate is best in the first 6 weeks of pregnancy..BUT it also helps with the function of the placenta. And also, if your not taking vitamins..the baby will take them away from your body...which might not seem like a big deal but when you think of what that can mean for your body 10 years from now, you should probably take them! really they are not that expensive and it takes like 20 seconds to take them.