My GP suggested taking them since we had started talking about kids, and I know the more the better..but I've only been on them for about 6 weeks. Is that too little? Are there momma's out there that didn't take it at all?
Sorry if my questions seem dumb. I have no idea what I'm doing!! My GP has been fab - we email back and forth about stuff and she just to have fun with the BD just like everyone else. I find myself overthinking everything, and I'm not even prego yet.
grapefruit / 4400 posts
Nope-- I didn't start taking any prenatals until I got pregnant and LO is healthy.
blogger / pineapple / 12381 posts
I started taking a prenatal right before our wedding *just in case*... and I guess I'm glad I did, because our first daughter decided she wanted to enjoy our honeymoon and newlywed stage as a fetus.
The sooner the better, but I don't think it's a make or break. Hopefully you are getting plenty of folate in cereal.
GOLD / cantaloupe / 6581 posts
No, you don't have to, it's just something they encourage. I wasn't on them for a full 3 months either. You've started taking them, which is great, and you'll continue taking them after your BFP, which is the important thing 
coconut / 8279 posts
I didn't - but if I'd known better I would have, just to be safe! I got pregnant so quickly, I didn't expect it to happen so fast. Next time I'll definitely be taking folic acid ahead of time.
blogger / honeydew / 7081 posts
Honestly, its not necessary to be taking them for a full three months. Its recommended, and sure, its great, but I definitely wouldn't panic. I started taking mine when we started TTC - I ended up being on them for a full 2 years before actually getting pregnant. Best of luck!
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22276 posts
I started taking a prenatal with it in it a few months before but I wasn't great about taking it everyday. A lot of mommas don't take it until they get pregnant...especially those who don't know they are pregnant for a while, and their babies are perfect! Even starting them before TTC at all you are ahead of the game.
grapefruit / 4006 posts
i took them when i remembered during TTC (i.e. definitely not daily), but definitely not the full 90 days before getting pregnant.
cantaloupe / 6164 posts
I didn't take any prenatals until a few days after my BFP & baby is very healthy.
nectarine / 2217 posts
i did for my first LO, but not for my second (couldn't remember to take it before my BFP.... at 8 weeks.) been taking it now, though!
GOLD / squash / 13464 posts
I certainly wouldn't put off TTC just to get more time with the prenatals. Something like 50% of pregnancies in the US are unplanned so those women aren't taking prenatals but most have perfectly healthy babies.
And PsS... I also completely overthought every aspect of TTC and pregnancy and motherhood.... Totally normal : )
eggplant / 11824 posts
Dont stress; before our generation women didn't take prenatals as a rule at all. In most of the world, women still don't take them. They are good to have, but there is no hard and fast rule on them. You'll be fine!
persimmon / 1331 posts
my OB told me to just start taking prenatals when I stopped taking BCPs (TTC or NTNP). So technically it could've been 2 weeks (ish) before I could've gotten pregnant. So don't stress!
pomelo / 5093 posts
Nope. Bread and flour and such in America have folic acid added to them, so most people get enough or close to it just through that. Better to have too much, though, so the supplements are a good idea.
nectarine / 2063 posts
That is what my dr recommended as well. I've been on prenatals for almost a year while ttc. It's not a bad thing and I've heard it helps with morning sickness. I'm game.
hostess / watermelon / 14932 posts
Definitely not. I'm sure it's good to, but, I didn't and to be honest I skipped a lot of prenatals in the early months cause I was so sick! LO is totally healthy
pineapple / 12793 posts
I think it's a just-in-case kind of thing. If you have a healthy diet you and LO will probably be fine. My doc prescribes BCP with a prenatal just in case. So I had been taking prenatals for YEARS before TTC.
wonderful pea / 17279 posts
Phew! The responses are so reassuring. I have OTC prenatals that are two separate pills. I took the DHA only pill during my TWW and just started the multi vitamin with the folic acid after my BFP.
bananas / 9628 posts
@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: don't worry about it. My old OB-GYN didn't even suggest taking prenatals until after a BFP.
persimmon / 1343 posts
I only started prenatals 2wks before getting pregnant - I think they are more important when you are pregnant vs ttc but of course it isn't a bad idea to take them early. I have never heard of taking them that long before ttc as a guideline though
wonderful pea / 17279 posts
@mrs. bird: thanks. For now everything I am reading is interest based and scary. I meet my new obgyn next week.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
The food you are eating is probably fortified with folic acid, so I wouldn't worry too much, but the official party line is any woman of childbearing age should be taking a folic acid supplement.
kiwi / 687 posts
If your diet's weird or it's just something you're concerned about your GP should be able to check - it's a simple blood test and then if you're deficient you can wait or if you're not you can relax and start the BD storm! FWIW mine was checked as part of a routine physical right before we TTC and my levels were actually too HIGH, probably because I'd been on a multivitamin for a year that I maybe didn't need.
cantaloupe / 6669 posts
I didn't take any kind of prenatals until I found out I was (5 weeks) pregnant. I know it's just anecdotal but my daughter is healthy, strong, gorgeous and smart so it worked out.
pear / 1846 posts
Folic acid is present naturally in food anyway so if you have a good diet you probs already have enough. The supplement is just in case you don't. Women have been having babies long before vitamin pills were around!
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