Pre Natal Vitamins

Hello all... this is my first post on TTC.
We are starting to prepare to TTC, I have already gone to the doctor to talk about everything as far as plans. We plan to start trying in December. For now I am still on BCPs for 5 more months. The doctor said that I will go back in about 5 months when my prescription for the BCPs are up for another check up and then he will start me on pre natals. Are these a prescription? Or can you buy them at a drug store?
Thanks and I look forward to chatting with you all through this process.

Re: Pre Natal Vitamins

You can buy them at the drug store or get a prescription. I think they both do the same thing.

Re: Pre Natal Vitamins

just wanted to say - good to see you Diane

Re: Pre Natal Vitamins

The most important vitamin is Folic Acid you need at least 800 mg when TTC.

You can get them at a drug store or GNC. No need to get prescription (why pay?). You should get the Prenatal ones since they have Folic acid, iron and calcium.

Message edited 4/12/2006 10:35:36 AM.

Re: Pre Natal Vitamins

best of luck to you

I like your name

Message edited 4/12/2006 10:35:13 AM.

Re: Pre Natal Vitamins

I take the Trader Joe's pre-natals... cheaper than prescription.

Like a previous poster said... basiclaly it's a multi-vitamin but with 800mg of Folic Acid instead of 400mg

Re: Pre Natal Vitamins

You can do either but I think the prescription ones are stronger than OTC, not sure though.

Re: Pre Natal Vitamins

my doctor told me take OTC until I conceived then he put me on RX. Every doctor is different, I think what's important is you get your iron and folic acid regardless of the brand. I used CVS prenatals to start.

Good luck!

Re: Pre Natal Vitamins

THe first pre natals i was prescribed (prior to TTC) were Huge, so I went to CVS and brought their brand. When i actually conceived I told them i was just taking the CVS ones and they said they preferred if I took the prescription ones. It took awhile but i finally got one that are okay. I am not a big fan though, they repeat on you so i try and take them before bed, otherwise i burp up what tasts like a bad hamburger for hours

And of course insurance companies don't cover them (but they do cover Viagra??), but they cost like $20 for 50 of them. Usually your doctor will prescribe you 3 refills too.

Re: Pre Natal Vitamins

I just got my pre natal vitamins 2 days ago. they were prescribed.

I haven't started taking any yet, but it was so exciting to get them

I asked the pharmacist what was the difference between the one's I got and the one's they sell over the counter. he didn't really say... he just looked at the box of the one's I got and said "these have more amino fatty acids"

really not sure which is best. but I asked my mom and she said that back when she was preggo, pre natal vitamins were only sold over the counter. and she had 3 healthy babies

Re: Pre Natal Vitamins

It's all about money. Doctors work with pharmacies and insurance companies, so for them it is better if a patient gets a prescription.

My doctor Dr. Sheldon Cherry, who is the author of the book "Understanding Pregnancy & Child Birth" said that there is no need for prescription prenatals.

As long as you consume a regular once a day multivitamin with 800 mg of folic acid or a prental one, that is all that matters. No need to spend $20 or more for something you can get for $9.99.

Re: Pre Natal Vitamins

Re: Pre Natal Vitamins

Thanks everyone!
I guess I will take the OTC ones until I get pregnant and then take the prescription ones. I hope that doesnt "insult" the doctor if he wants me to take the prescription ones right away but come on, I have to save all the money I can.

Re: Pre Natal Vitamins

You can get either one. The good thing about perscription is that your insurance covers them and they are much cheaper!

ETS: I just read some other posts. I guess it depends on what your copay is and what your Dr. perscribes.

Message edited 4/14/2006 6:53:01 PM.

Re: Pre Natal Vitamins

I took OTC prenatals throughout my pregnancy. My Dr was fine with it, and I didn't have any of the side effects that others often complain about.