No prenatals...birth defect?

[kalmanzor1]

Hey all,
I'm currently 13 weeks and 2 days. I'm really afraid because i really haven't taken prenatal vitamins. I took it for up to 4 weeks of pregnancy but It made me really sick during my first trimester. Like REALLY sick...I'd throw up and just feel gross. Now I'm really scared that my baby might have a neural tube defect. I feel so selfish and I don't think I can ever forgive myself if something was wrong with  my baby. Anyone have any experiences ?

[86countrygirl]

I've been taking the S h a k l e e multi vitamin called Vita-Lea. They are super smooth and go down really well. I've never had a problem getting them down even when I gagged over almost everything. Nice part is they have iron as well, so that's one less pull to take. I agree with what was mentioned before about being on prenatals before getting pregnant. If your body is built up well beforehand, I would think it wouldn't be that big a deal if you're just not able to take anything for the first while.

[elvendork]

I find taken them at night is better, I use the ones from trader Joes. They are odorless, but I take them with cranberry juice so I don't taste them.

[junebaby2]

I know how you feel.  I must have an entire bathroom drawer full of every brand and variety! I went through tons of samples to find ones that didn't make me feel sick too. I actually ended up on zofran for 2nd trimester for sickness. I never had an appetite and I forgot to take pills often.  So now that I'm feeling better Im trying harder to do it daily. I'm not nauseas anymore, just full of acid reflux! I'm definitely getting enough calcium (tums!) Lol

[smcdsmcd]

Just to clarify here, taking a prenatal vitamin does reduce your baby's chances of neural tube defects. Folic acid is required for proper formation of the neural tube.  However,  the most critical time for this is actually before you know you're prego.  So, advice for women trying to conceive is to start the prenatals when u start trying.  In the United states, most of our breads, cereals, etc are fortified with folic acid so chances are u were getting the right amount without taking your prenatal.  However, prenatals are beneficial (proven scientifically) throughout your entire pregnancy.   So starting them now will also help to make a healthy baby.  And don't sweat missing them before, a lot of women cannot tolerate them early in pregnancy.  Hopefully your nausea will decrease allowing you to tolerate them soon!

[mckaylas_momma1018]

Try the prenatal gummy's. .. its important you get the extra nutrients that your baby will take away...

[30ftm]

I agree with Octobermommy2014. I also take the prenatal gummies. They taste like candy and I don't get sick.  I take them at night before I go to bed and have no problem.  

[mag131]

I did not take any prenatal with my first born I tried to eat lots of vegetables and fish all the goodies that have much vitamins. He came out healthy and big. I did pay the price afterwards the baby used every storage iron I had after I had him I had to go see an hematoly/ ancology dr because I was so sick and weak. Now I use the gummy prenatal vit over the counter. They work really well. I would not worry abt it neural tube defect has nothing to do with not taking vit just think positive.

[amokarl]

With my first I was so sick until past 4 mnths didn't take any at all vomiting all day everyday she came out perfectly healthy. with this one I'm 9wks doctor said its okay if I dnt take until I pass first trimester since I'm so sensitive but I hv bn taking folic acid here and there dnt stress bout it

[stacie725]

No nithing will happen. They give u those to help u maintain because ur sharing ur body. They are just like regular vitamins just to ensure ur are getting the proper abc vitamins.

[kalmanzor1]

Bump

[OctoberMommy2014]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who loves them!! lol

[OctoberMommy2014]

awe, well maybe you just had that "gag" going on at that point in time.. I've chewed the ones I have (early on) & felt horrible getting it down, but that's ONLY because EVERYTHING made me gag at that point.. but I promise it's just like candy!!

they have a sugary coating on the outside, and they do NOT taste like vitamins at all. 90 gummies was only like $10? maybe even $9.. but they aren't heavy on your stomach at all.

give your baby those vitamins & feel better!! ((((:
again, take *2* a day.. let me know how they work out!! added you as a friend.

[kprince2]

I just started the gummies from walmart because my prescription pills tore my stomach up.  The gummies taste like candy for real.

[kalmanzor1]

But I will go and buy what you suggested...my baby can use more vitamins throughout my pregnancy :)

[kalmanzor1]

I just feel like it's too late because apparently the neural tube closes the first 28 days. It was the gummy that I was having but it made me gag! The more I chew the more I gagged then threw up. Made me wish I could swallow those pills instead!

[OctoberMommy2014]

do you really?! I love them!!! & they're super affordable.

just remember to take *2* a day, and you'll be fine. I'd rather take the vitamins and know I'm doing all I can.. than not. they have so much good stuff in them that your baby needs, and I need all the help I can get!! lol - I just haven't been able to eat as much as I used to before I got pregnant.

the ones I take are NOT harsh on your stomach, and you'll feel better knowing that you're taking them, I promise.

and yes, I love the lemon & grape.. but they're all so good!!! lol

[KieaRai]

I take the gummies from walmart like octobermommy. I've never had a problem and they really do taste like candy. I like the lemon ones best. :3

[ChrystalDH]

You might try taking them at a different time or even a different kind of prenatals or if that doesn't work buy folic acid or folate (same vitamin)it is the one that helps prevent the birth defects of the neck and spine area. But like the others said try not to let it stress you out because that is worse than missing your vitamins.

[OctoberMommy2014]

just a suggestion, I have a super sensitive stomach.. so the minute I found out I was pregnant, I went to walmart & got the prenatal gummy vitamins.

they're sweet, taste like candy, and great on your stomach! I can't/won't swallow pills, so taking anything else wasn't even a question.

prenatal vitamins have a lot of nourishment for the baby.. I understand a lot of women don't take them, but I figure why not. plus I have a colon disease, and I don't eat as much as a lot of people.. so I need him/her to get all the good stuff they can! the brand is "s p r i n g  v a l l e y" (spaced it out b/c sometimes this site/app blocks the brand names of stuff) -- just consider those.. and good luck & congratulations!! I'm 14w2d today! (((:

[kalmanzor1]

They said the folic acid in prenatals help prevent spina bifida and cleft lip in the early weeks

[keaij]

Prenatals are just extra vitamins nothing to do with defects

[kalmanzor1]

Thanks ladies

[sjpolo]

I only my took prenatals with my first baby for the first 3 months because they made me sick and my baby is fine:)

[BabyG_Mama]

You can take regular multi vitamins with iron supplements on the side because multi vitamins dont usually carry iron. Thats what i was told to do by my doctor because my prenatals made me that sick too.