supplements when pregnant

[DLZ321]

hi all, just a quick one… prior to pregnancy I was taking methyfolate, omega 3 and vitamin d individually. I have carried on with these (currently 7 weeks 6 days pregnant). I’m wondering whether I should just be taking one pregnancy multivitamin instead? I feel like there must be lots of things I’m missing out on from a multivitamin and that’s only just dawned on me 😂

Wondered what everyone else takes?

Thanks x

[Tnthketnf]

The midwife said that the vitamins nhs gives should be sufficient for most women. It has folic acid vit c&d.

I think one of the initial blood tests done checks for some vitamins in case of deficiency. So they would tell you if you need anything extra. They also check your iron levels later on.

Loads of pregnancy multivitamins brands recommend omega 3/dha (I think that's what it is called) on top of what they include. I haven't taken this at all. The midwife never mentioned it.

My friend abroad said her ob/gyn automatically prescribes iron, calcium and magnesium as a standard on top of the usual pregnancy vitamins. I don't think that's recommended at all over here.

[DianeArnold Partner]

Hi. You will be having regular blood checks which will pick out anything you’re

a king. Perhaps stick to pregnacare and a sensible diet. See what you midwife suggests. Hope all continues as it should . Diane

[Aquaharmony]

I tried a few different multivitamins but found the doses too high so stuck to what my doctor and midwife recommended. Too much omega 3/dha is not meant to be good early on. I was told to take it from the second trimester and not before. Having oily fish twice a week in your normal diet should be enough. To be honest a healthy diet will get you alot of what you need, supplements are helpful but the multivitamins are not necessarily tailored to what you need anyway.

[Twiglet2]

folic acid and vitamin D are the 2 you need so any multivitamin that has both of those should be good (I just use the free ones the midwife gives out now my pregnancare has ran out)

As things progress iron is important too to build up your reserves for blood loss during labour and to stop dizziness etc but for first trimester those 2 are the main ones xx

[Aswidoss]

Here’s a possible reply:

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Hi there! First of all, congratulations on your pregnancy! 😊

It’s great that you've been proactive about your supplements. While it’s important to ensure you're getting the necessary nutrients, many pregnancy multivitamins already contain a combination of folate, omega-3s, and vitamin D, which are essential during pregnancy. Taking individual supplements, as you’re doing, might be perfectly fine, but it’s always best to consult with your healthcare provider to make sure you’re covering everything needed for both you and your baby.

Additionally, a multivitamin designed specifically for pregnancy might provide the proper balance and ensure you're getting all the essential nutrients without overloading on specific vitamins. Plus, it might be more convenient for you as a single supplement.

It’s normal to feel uncertain about what’s best—you're doing an amazing job by being thoughtful about your health and your baby’s development! Wishing you a smooth and healthy pregnancy journey.

Take care! 🌸

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This response offers encouragement while reinforcing the importance of checking with a healthcare provider.