Prenatal Vitamins Post-partum

[AnneCan]

Does anyone know if I can continue to take my prenatals after I have this baby, or do I need to switch to one without folic acid? I have one that my doc prescribed (expensive) and I haven't been able to take them at all, but I want to take them after baby is born. They are pretty high in Folic acid (5mg). I guess I should probably just ask my doc, but I thought I'd ask here in the meantime. Thanks

[jarezuny]

My doctor told me to keep (ahem... more like *start*) taking prenatal vitamins after I had the baby. I can't remember for how long, though. I think I took them until I used up the bottle I had bought initially when I had intended on taking them while pregnant!

[AnneCan]

ha ha, yeah...same with me.....'start' taking them after baby is born not 'continue'!

Good to know, thanks.

[AnneCan]

Well, just in case anyone else is wondering about this...

My OB said to use up what I had left for prenatals, even if they're the 5mg folic acid. She said there's more iron and folic acid than most women need post partum, so you don't want to buy prenatals afterwards, but if you have a couple/few weeks worth leftover, use them. I have like 8 months worth of prescription pregvits, so guess I'll only be using them for a couple weeks to a month before switching off to a regular vitamins!

[sweetpea]

I've actually been told to take prenatals after birth, particularly when your nursing b/c the vitamins pass to the baby.

[AnneCan]

I've heard both, which is why I asked my OB. The usual, high quality, multi's that I normally take have great quantities of all the essentials, plus they do have some folic/iron of course, but just not in the super-doses that my prenatals do. I plan on doing 4-6 weeks of prenatals, then switching to my regular ones.

[sweetpea]

I don't get the prescription ones b/c I know I won't actually be able to take them while pg. I tried them w/ first pg before I knew I had HG, which of course made it worse and I'm pretty sure it had a some sort of wheat base b/c it made me sick out of my mind - I have celiac disease.

[AnneCan]

I know! I don't know why I even bothered filling any of them this time, since I couldn't take them last pregnancy either! Wishful thinking!

Do you find celiac tough to manage?...my dad's just getting tested for that after suffering with Chrones/Colitis for 20+ years.

[sweetpea]

It's not too difficult. It's healthier eating anyway. Going out is limited, but there are some options. All that's required is a GF diet, no meds or anything. I've been GF for 4 years, although this is also my 3rd full pg in that same amount of time - so it's not like I've done too much eating.

[AnneCan]

I'm sure breads/glutens are hard for most people to digest (like dairy). I tend to stay away from glutenous (sp?) products because I just feel better when I don't eat them. My dad says he's been eating GF bread for a couple weeks and it's like night and day for him.

[sweetpea]

Just so you know, if he goes GF before his tests are done, it could mess w/ the results.

celiac.com has a lot of good resources - including a list of foods to avoid. Read every label b/c you just never know. It seems like they put modified food starch in nearly everything.

[AnneCan]

Oh, good to know...thanks for the tips! I'll pass them on to him