I apologize for the somewhat "iffy" use of Anon, but I'm not ready to "come out" about TTC yet. We're officially TTC as of this month, so I've started prenatals. I did have any problems (other than during morning sickness) taking them during my previous pregnancy, but now I'm getting horrible headaches and nausea when I take them. I've tried taking them at different times during the day (morning, afternoon, before bed) and with milk and food, but nothing helps!! Has anyone experienced this? The short bout of nausea wouldn't be such a big deal, but the headaches last for a couple hours. TIA!

By Kay on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 03:27 pm:

I know it's been a *really* long time since I've been pregnant (my middle child turned 20 today LOL), but I never started prenatal vitamins until my doctor confirmed my pregnancies at around the 4-6 week mark.

I also never had any side effects from them.

By Kernkate on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 03:42 pm:

IMO I wouldn't start taking prenatals until advised by my doctor. I haven't taken them in almost 5 years, they use to be prescribed, aren't they prescription anymore?
I never had any side affects from them. But I have known alot of people that have.
Good luck with TTC!

By Anonymous on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 03:46 pm:

They were prescribed. It's standard for my doc to prescribe them to anyone TTC, pregnant, or of child bearing age. I was even prescribed them by my old doc when I was on BC, they feel it's good for all women.

By Heaventree on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 04:22 pm:

My Dr. said it's really only important to take folic acid when trying to get pregnant and for the first few months of pregnancy when the spinal cord is developing.

I think you have to ask yourself why you are taking them. Women have been getting pregnant and giving birth to healthy babies for millions of years without prenatals. Our diets today are much better than they were 100 years ago. Unless you have a specific dietary need or short coming why are you taking them? Are you eating a healthy diet or do you have any deficiencies? I don't understand why people feel they need to supplement their diets? I think in large part it is due to marketing of the pharma companies that sell the products.

I do think that folic acid is a good preventary to spina bifda, I stopped taking my prenatals half way through my last pregnancy when I changed doctors. My first dr. said I should take them, but I never questioned her as to why. I became very constipated due to the high levels of iron and my 2nd dr. said don't take them anymore so I stopped and have not taken them thru this pregnancy. My iron levels have been checked and they are fine.

Inform youself a bit more and perhaps question your doctor a bit more, it really is up to you and what you are comfortable with.

By Eve on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 04:49 pm:

I would switch to taking Folic acid. You can buy them right at the pharmacy. I think it's 400mmg that you need daily while TTC. Also, I haven't been able to take Prenates this pregnancy. My Dr. told me to take a couple of Flinstones. So, if you have a regular vitamin that doesn't bother you and just add in the Folic, you should be fine. When I was pregnant wih my DD, I had good luck with Natachews. (They are by prescription) If it's making you this sick and you aren't even pregnant, it might be worse when you do finally conceive. Not fun! I would try to find something else. Good luck.

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 05:17 pm:

I would take prenatal vitamins, but that's JMO. I'm not TTC and don't plan to, and my doc recommends taking them anyway. All women need more vitamins and folic acid than they are getting, regardless of pregnancy. I still take mine and did so 1 yr. prior to TTC and now dd is 1 yr old. I had to take them at night before bed because they really nauseated me. Taking them before bed I never had any problems. I do have a friend though who just couldn't tolerate them and just took a multivitamin during pregnancy intead. Sorry I'm not more help!

By Heaventree on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 05:43 pm:

Here's some info regarding the necessity of prenatal vitamins you might find helpful:

http://www.drspock.com/article/0,1510,11165,00.html

By Sue3 on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 05:58 pm:

I had that problem I remember.I had switched brands.I bought a generic brand from the store.It made a difference with me.
I think some brands have more iron in them.I took the one with less iron.Good luck with TTC !

By Imamommyx4 on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 06:33 pm:

Change brands until you find one you can handle. I took a big name brand that made me sicker than a dog for about 3 hours every time I took it. Switched to a generic and did fine. My OB gave me several samples so I tried different ones from him. And if nothing else works, take a kid's chewable. Better than nothing.
And I am a firm believer in folic acid although I've had several friends and relatives lately that their dr never even mentioned it to them. Unbelievable to me.

By Rayanne on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 06:42 pm:

Are they a generic brand of prenatals? When we were TTC Rylee, they for some reason gave me the generic of what I was taking one day, and they made me feel soooo sick. I had to pay extra for the un-generic ones, but if they didn't make me sick, I was all for it. Good luck TTC, we are trying too.

By Agreen on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 08:24 pm:

When dh and I started TTC, I was just taking a multi vitamin like Centrum for the folic acid. Everything worked out fine for me just taking those. I did start taking the prenatals when I became pregnant. They made me so sick to take on an empty stomach. So I just took them before going to bed, usually with a snack. i guess looking into another brand wouldnt hurt either. Hope this helps... Have "fun" TTC! that is the best part! LOL

By Jilly on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 08:27 pm:

As soon as I went off the pill and a few months before we officiall started to TTC I started on prenatals - it was about four months before.

I always tried to treat my body as if I was already pg to make it ready to carry a baby.

By Frasersmama on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 - 01:10 pm:

I am also TTC and taking prenatal vitamins. IMO, they are just a multivite with some extra iron and folic, no big whoop. The iron can be nauseating and constipating. I get really nauseated from them, so I take them at bedtime and I don't feel a thing. As for the headaches, hmmmm that's a new one. I guess you could try switching brands. Are yout aking the vites everyday? Are you sure that is what is causing the headaches. I also went off caffeine at the same time and got raging headaches from that.