Vitamins

I started taking a pregnancy multi and topped it up so I was getting the extra folic acid.   If you read the labels- most pregnancy multis can be taken from preconception to breastfeeding and then you aren't risking getting too high levels of things that can be harmful.

HTH!

I got my doctor to prescribe some for me and they are alot cheaper $3 and then i knew they would be safe

 

Hey there,
I just popped in here to have a nosey ... and I work for Healtheries (Food Technologist and Nutritionist) so thought I may be able to help.

The thing that you need to avoid is the vit A, everything else in there should be fine. It is only certain forms of vit A though - so if you have a look and the vit A is in the form of beta-carotene it is safe to take (if it says retinol something, then I would avoid it). The reason you need to avoid vit A in high doses is it can cause birth defects and miscarriage.

So - the Healtheries womens multi is actually OK to take (contains beta-carotene) but not our Boost Multi (has the other form of vit A). But in saying that I avoided it in the first trimester myself, just to be safe. And usually companies will cover their butts by advising you to avoid most things in the first trimester.
I would only take any of them a couple of times a week myself, as you probably don't need them everyday (you pee out the excess vits).

I have been taking the Blackmores pregnancy multi (traitor I know!) as it doesn't have as much vit A (don't think it has any) and has omegas for babys brain development too. But I didn't take anything til I was nearing the end of the first trimester and only take them a few times a week (I'm 5mths now). I was getting run down by 10wks tho so I think they've really helped.

TTC I would recommend the same thing - take any of the pregnancy ones or womans (with betacarotene as the vit A).
Folic acid (for TTC and 1st trimester) - there is a limit to the amount we can add to an over the counter formulation hence you won't find any with 800mcg OTC (I've heard they're out there, but its illegal!) - so check the bottle and take 2X400mcg tablets or 3x300mcg tablets (or get a prescription from doc = cheaper!)

I hope that is helpful.

Edited by Nikki

I take the Blackmores Preg & Breastfeeding - they were recommended by my midwife.  And you're better off getting folic acid on prescription - get a much heftier dose and a far lighter price. 

I went to a naturopath for my vitamins and took them for 2 months before TTC. I was prescribed fish oil (great for brain development), folic acid & a multi-vitamin (especially for pregnancy)......I really wanted to get enough folic after seeing programmes on tv that the 400mg suggestion isn't enough and 800 is better. So asked naturopath for prescribed doseage. Very very expensive but worth every penny.

Good luck with your search and its definately a step in the right direction to be taking vitamins before TTC and during pregnancy.

Speaking of fish i am alittle confused what sorts of fish are ok and what arent as i read in lots of places fish is good to eat during pregnancy. I know shellfish are a no but what about Cods, Salmon, Trout, or just the regular fish n chip shop battered fish?

I am not pregnant yet but I have been taking Mircogenics pregnancy multi vitamin with tuna oil added and Nutra Life Omega Science Natal for foetus development.

Our fish oil capsules don't have high levels of mercury (Healtheries) and they test for it in the lab before packing. So you could check with the manufacturer. The level depends alot on where the fish came from.

Shark from the fish and chip shop is fine. Far too tired to reference this properly atm but in order to consume enough mercury to harm bubs you would need to eat 150g of fish 4 or more times per week. So the odd piece won't do you any harm.

Yes my naturopath did warn that if buying fish oil from chemist/health shop to ask for one that had murcury taken out of it.

The stuff I buy from her is practically free of murcury (has been screened out) - must be why its so darn expensive, but again worth every penny!