is it safe to take multivitamins while pregnant
Prenatal vitamins are multivitamins that are specially formulated to meet the increased demand for micronutrients during pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins help support Mom and baby in this task. A baby who is 100% breastfed is still relying on Mom's body to supply all the energy and nutrients for healthy growth. If you're pregnant, you should avoid supplements and multivitamins containing vitamin A (retinol) - as too much of it can harm your baby's development. But why spend more on supplements if they won’t make you or your baby any healthier? The body DOES store the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) as well as many of the minerals. If you're pregnant, trying for a baby or could get pregnant, it's recommended that you take a 400 microgram folic acid supplement every day until you're 12 weeks pregnant. In other words, according to the researchers, special pregnancy multivitamins – often containing a combo of B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, D, E and K, iodine, magnesium, copper, iron, zinc, selenium and folic acid – offered no discernible extra health benefit to a pregnant woman or her baby. Folic acid reduces the likelihood of brain and spinal cord defects in babies (anencephaly and spina bifida) – and higher doses may be needed in women with greater risk of these conditions. Is it safe to take a hair skin and nail vitamin with your prenatal pill while can’t find what you need? The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant women (and those trying to get pregnant) take in 600 micrograms (mcg) of … I haven't been to the doctor yet, but I read somewhere online that you shouldn't take multi-vitamins along with the prenatal pills. The evidence for folic acid is strong. And if neither, a quality women's multivitamin should be the way to go. Do not take multivitamins without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become. Can we take multivitamins in pregnancy on our own or are there any specific recommended doses? WIN a Mother’s Day bundle, worth over £630, for yourself or a loved one, Best non-chocolate Easter gift ideas for kids. Dental treatment while pregnant – is it safe? is it safe to take multivitamins prenatal vitamins together A 31-year-old member asked: also, does it matter that i take specifically prenatal vitamins or can i just take a regular woman's multivitamin? I agree with this. They're safe, as long as you avoid ones containing vitamin A. Buying both tablets separately is usually cheaper than multivitamin preparations – Boots sells vitamin D at £1.09 for 90 tablets. But the NHS currently advises all pregnant women also to take 400 micrograms (400 mcg) of folic acid a day during the first 12 weeks of their pregnancy. Women would be better off, said the bulletin, sticking to vitamin D (10 micrograms a day) and folic acid (400 micrograms before pregnancy and until the end of the first trimester) and spending their money on a healthy diet. To be safe, there is a common-sense rule of thumb doctors and midwives like to stick to: Don’t take any nutritional supplements or herbal supplements during pregnancy, unless directed to do so by your healthcare practitioner. This latest review agrees with guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice): there is no evidence that anything other than vitamin D and folic acid are needed as supplements in pregnancy. She told The Guardian that just because multivitamins don’t produce clinical effects, it doesn’t mean they aren’t useful in combatting “dietary gaps” for pregnant women who aren’t eating the right foods in pregnancy. You should also avoid liver and liver products (including fish liver oil), as they are high in vitamin A. Folic acid supplements need to be taken before you get pregnant, so start taking them before you stop using contraception or if there's a chance you might get pregnant. Probably not, as long as they check the amount of vitamin A in the preparation. Yes, it’s safe to take most multivitamin supplements during pregnancy – as long as you avoid brands that contain vitamin A (too much vitamin A – retinol – can damage your unborn baby). Your doctor may suggest that you take them when you begin to plan for pregnancy, as well as while you’re pregnant. Well, according to a review of vitamin supplements in pregnancy in the latest Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin, the true price may be less. 14 apr 2010 i have always suffered with hair lost but after starting a hair skin and after finding out i was pregnant i stopped taking the. Multivitamins may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. This is because studies show it may lower the risk of certain neural tube (brain and spine) defects your baby could develop, such as spina bifida. t’s the winner of pregnancy product of the year for Boots, so it has to be something that’s great for pregnant women, right? Postnatal Vitamins While Breastfeeding Nursing Postnatal by Fairhaven Health was formulated by an MD and leading lactation specialist to meet the unique nutritional needs of breastfeeding women. She has been taking them and now has read on the package that it is not safe… You may also be able to get them on prescription from your GP or through the Healthy Start scheme. Pregnant women in the US are advised to take iron and folic acid supplements, but not vitamin D. So does it really matter if pregnant women take multivitamins? The amount of vitamin A found in a daily prenatal multivitamin is entirely safe—O’Connor says you would need to take 10,000 IU in a day to cause concern. Yes. Yes, it’s safe to take most multivitamin supplements during pregnancy – as long as you avoid brands that contain vitamin A (too much vitamin A – retinol – can damage your unborn baby). The research to support vitamin D supplements in strengthening the development of bones and teeth in babies is not as strong, but good enough for the bulletin and Nice to recommend it. However, prenatal vitamins and multivitamins should not both be taken. This article contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and Eating a healthy diet is always a wise idea -- especially during pregnancy. While ACOG doesn’t specifically advise women to take a panel of multivitamins, its list of suggested ones includes more than the U.K.’s minimalist list of just two. Of the ones that you mention, pantothenic acid is thought to be safe to take while pregnant. All for £19.99 for a 42-day supply. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Animal studies have not been reported. I'm just wondering is it really necassary, or is it just if you dont get enough iron etc in your daily diet? Recent posts in 'Is it necessary to take Multivitamins while pregnant?' It also contains Vit A which I understand isn't safe to take in pregnancy. Well as far as most of the vitamins and minerals are concerned, they are safe enough to be taken during pregnancy, provided they are taken according to the daily recommended allowances (RDA). And for all of the above, don't … My daughter is 27 weeks pregnant and was told it was safe to take chlorphenamine maleate while pregnant. Pregnacare Max, according to a review of vitamin supplements in pregnancy, Folic acid reduces the likelihood of brain and spinal cord defects in babies. I just found out I am pregnant and started taking prenatal pills the day after I found out. Recommended Daily … All our journalism is independent and is in no way influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative. Raise your question or find answers in existing discussions. It’entirelyly up to YOU whether or not you want to take multivitamin supplements during your pregnancy. More information. What is important, though, is that you stick with NHS advice to take 2 specific supplements in pregnancy: folic acid and vitamin D. The researchers, whose conducted a thorough review of all available studies on this subject, found that there’s “no evidence to recommend that all pregnant women should take prenatal mutli-nutrient supplements beyond the nationally advised folic acid and vitamin D supplements” – both of which can be bought separately and inexpensively. Some brands of multivitamins claim to provide mothers-to-be with the maximum nutritional support needed for a baby, but at high prices. Multivitamins are also used to treat vitamin deficiencies (lack of vitamins) caused by illness, pregnancy, poor nutrition, digestive disorders, and many other conditions. Need more advice? But there is no such recommendation for vitamins C and E. High levels of vitamin A may cause birth defects, so those supplements are a no-no; iron is needed only for women who are anaemic, as it can irritate the stomach and cause constipation or diarrhoea. In fact, in a new study published in the Drug And Therapeutics Bulletin researchers suggest that, while there’s no harm in taking multivitamins while you’re pregnant, you might be wasting your money – pregnancy multivitamins can cost around £15 for a month’s supply – because there’s no evidence that the tablets improve your or your baby’s health. What is the ultimate formula for mums-to-be? You should be able to get the vitamins and minerals you need during pregnancy from eating a varied, healthy diet. . Doses above the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) are assigned to the pregnancy category of each individual active ingredient for the dose administered. However, evidence doesn’t support their claims, or the prices they charge. Only research from low-income countries where pregnant women are more likely to be malnourished suggests any benefit from multivitamins, although advice varies around the world. While prenatal vitamins are a healthy regimen during pregnancy to ensure that you are getting adequate nutrients for you and your baby, there are certain vitamins that should be avoided during pregnancy. Discuss Is it necessary to take Multivitamins while pregnant? Women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant should take a daily multivitamin or prenatal vitamin that contains at least 400 micrograms (µg) of folic acid. Unfortunately, there is little information about the safety of amino acid supplements (such as tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and 5-HTP) during pregnancy, or there are specific warnings about using these supplements while pregnant or breastfeeding. They’re safe, as long as you avoid ones containing vitamin A. The main vitamin that should be avoided in excess quantities is Vitamin A. Regular multivitamins and prenatal vitamins are safe to take during pregnancy and can be helpful. Men and women age 51 and older need 1,000 mg a day and 1,200 mg a day, respectively. They are best avoided during pregnancy. If you’re ever in doubt about what’s right for you, get in touch with your midwife or GP. Your health care provider may prescribe a prenatal vitamin for you, or you can buy them over the counter without a prescription. The article said: “For most women who are planning to become pregnant or who are pregnant, complex multivitamin and mineral preparations promoted for use during pregnancy are unlikely to be needed and are an unnecessary expense.”. Is it safe to take multivitamins when you’re pregnant? But all the current evidence suggests that they’re not essential, so as long as you make sure you’re getting folic acid and vitamin D, you can save yourself a pretty penny by not taking anything else. Pregnacare Max, according to the Boots website, is “the ultimate formula” for mums-to-be. Actually, yes, it can be harmful. I am currently 4 weeks pregnant with #3. While it's possible to ingest your daily intake of vitamins through a diverse diet, supplements are recommended for a healthy baby and pregnancy. I never took multi vitamins when pregnant with my 2 DS's and they turnt out perfectly fine. In other words, if your diet’s a bit unvaried or not as healthy as it should be, Dr Ruxton thinks pregnancy vitamins might be a way to making sure you’re getting all the vitamins and minerals you need. and Your Pregnancy in the Huggies Pregnancy & Birth Forum. Centrum vitamins, while beneficial in other situations, are not designed to be taken during pregnancy. While it is typically safe to take an over-the-counter vitamin supplement during pregnancy, it is always best to select one specifically designed for pregnant women. The problem is it can be difficult to find the right answers about the safety of taking nutritional supplements in pregnancy. Multivitamins, while they may seem like a great idea, simply aren't designed with your baby's developing brain in mind. Ask your doctor for over-the-counter options that would better suit your needs during pregnancy. Family & Pregnancy News & Experts. It’s also advised that pregnant women take a daily 10 microgram dose of Vitamin D. (You should also keep taking this after the birth, if you decide to breastfeed). Take a prenatal vitamin every day during pregnancy. BTW: I did try taking Elivit but it made me really sick. In addition to providing 100% of essential vitamins and minerals, Nursing Postnatal contains additional amounts of certain vitamins shown to be particularly important for … But, many experts say, you don’t actually need to take multivitamins while you’re pregnant. If you rely on prenatal vitamins to meet your calcium needs, you likely won't get … It is perfectly safe to take prenatal vitamins before pregnancy. makes a purchase. Folic acid, iron and calcium are just a few of the vitamins women should take prior to, during, and after their pregnancy. Excess vitamin A during pregnancy, for example, can cause birth defects. Mobile Apps ... "Research shows that the two main reasons people take multivitamins are for overall health and wellness and to … Dr Carrie Ruxton, a dietician at the Health Supplements Information Service, has pretty much rejected the new study’s findings. So is that the price a mother has to pay for the health of her and her newborn? Is it safe to take vitafusion women's multivitamin when pregnant? It's important for women who are trying to conceive to build up their stores of folic acid, iron, calcium, and other vital minerals and vitamins to prepare their bodies when they need to support a growing baby. But, many experts say, you don’t actually need to take multivitamins while you’re pregnant. It’s totally up to YOU whether or not you want to take multivitamin supplements during your pregnancy. It is highly recommended that women continue to take prenatal vitamins while breastfeeding. Even if you're not actively trying to get pregnant but might someday in the future, you should still make sure you're getting enough folic acid. While a balanced diet during pregnancy is the ideal, nausea and carb cravings often throw best intentions off track. Only research from low-income countries where pregnant women are more likely to be malnourished suggests any benefit from multivitamins, although advice varies around the world. Because prenatal vitamins are intended to supplement calcium you get in your diet, they generally contain only 200 to 300 mg of calcium. They should take a postnatal multivitamin if they recently gave birth. (Pregnant Women who’ve been told by their midwife or GP that they’re at high risk of such deficiencies are sometimes advised to take a higher dose – 5 milligrams (5mg) – of folic acid.). Pregnant adult women and healthy men and women ages 19 to 50 all need 1,000 mg a day. Expert advice on prenatal vitamin and mineral supplements and an update on the latest research. "And since it is so important in pregnancy, pregnant women and women with a chance to get pregnant should be taking a prenatal multivitamin." Amniocentesis: risks, what to expect and should I have one. Is it safe to give peanut products to babies? It includes not only folic acid and vitamin D at amounts recommended by the Department of Health, but also zinc, magnesium, niacin, vitamins B6, B12 and C, iron and a host of other vitamins and minerals. But surely the more vitamins your developing baby gets, the better? Prenatal vitamins are multivitamins for pregnant women or women who are trying to get pregnant. It's pretty simple: Women should take prenatal vitamins if they're pregnant or planning to be pregnant. Both folic acid and vitamin D tablets, suitable for pregnant women, are available in good pharmacies and supermarkets at a considerably lower cost than multivitamin supplements. There is very little data available on the effects of taking amino acid supplements in pregnancy. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that third-party cookies will be set. Multivitamin with iron is only recommended for use in pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk. It’s the winner of pregnancy product of the year for Boots, so it has to be something that’s great for pregnant women, right? Compared to a regular multivitamin, they have more of some nutrients that you need during pregnancy. Last modified on Mon 21 May 2018 11.14 BST.