Double prenatal vitamins?

I know I am on my second set of twins, so I shouldn't even have to ask this, but I will anyway. My MIL has hounded me since the first twin pregnancy that I need to take double the amount of prenatals because there are two babies....I have repeatedly told her NO....but she keeps on. Has anyone ever heard of this? The prenatals that I currently take are actually a packet of different things containing 8 different pills that I take once a day at night....and she insists that I need two packs because her "health guru" person told her that I should.....so of course since that woman walks on water....(not bitter at all ) then of course I should do it....

 

Is your MIL a doctor? Overdoses of certain vitamins or minerals can be hazardous to you or your babies' health, or even life threatening. When she starts pressuring you just blame your doctor. "My doctor said that could be dangerous, I'm going to trust him on this." or something like that.

On a side note, some doctors do prescribe more of a certain vitamin or mineral in certain cases. I was put on a dose of 1 prenatal vitamin and 4 folic acids which added up to 5x my daily recommended dose of folic acid.

 

QUOTE(Her Royal Jennyness @ May 24 2008, 06:35 PM) [snapback]791539[/snapback]
Is your MIL a doctor? Overdoses of certain vitamins or minerals can be hazardous to you or your babies' health, or even life threatening. When she starts pressuring you just blame your doctor. "My doctor said that could be dangerous, I'm going to trust him on this." or something like that.

On a side note, some doctors do prescribe more of a certain vitamin or mineral in certain cases. I was put on a dose of 1 prenatal vitamin and 4 folic acids which added up to 5x my daily recommended dose of folic acid.


OMGosh, NO, she is not a Dr, but she thinks she knows everything because she takes all these herbs and supplements.....literally spending 1000's a year on them...no exaggeration. Basically she is a crackpot So I never was going to take the doubles, I just wondered if anyone else ever heard this before....crazy woman

 

I think a lot of people think that two babies equals two prenatal vitamins, you take one for one then you must take two for two. I got this from people when I was pregnant and finally gave up and asked my Dr and she said that if she found anything lacking in my blood work she would have me take more of what ever it was but I should not just double up on everything because like the pp said it can be unsafe to take more then you need. My MIL is full of “advice too, it gets old fast. -_-

 

QUOTE(dmhooten @ May 24 2008, 05:38 PM) [snapback]791541[/snapback]
OMGosh, NO, she is not a Dr, but she thinks she knows everything because she takes all these herbs and supplements.....literally spending 1000's a year on them...no exaggeration. Basically she is a crackpot So I never was going to take the doubles, I just wondered if anyone else ever heard this before....crazy woman



Absolutely not on double the prenatals! However, with twins we do need extra iron and folic acid (found out at 8 weeks anemic even taking prenatals and eating lots of meat). This can be done with smaller 2nd supplements. Too much of everything else can be dangerous!

 

I asked my Dr multiple times if i should take 2 instead of one. But they always told me no.

 

my dr says one prenatal and i take some slow fe thats it..

 

I have a friend that's kind of the same way, always going the "natural" way. I'm very grateful that she's not pushy about it. She offered me an iron supplement before I was about to go to my dr to find out if I was anemic. I didn't take her up on it, and I'm glad I didn't. My dr told me what kind of supplement to get and told me not to take it at the same time I take my prenatal vitamins. (Which I had just done when my friend offered.) Now, I don't know why she advised this, maybe all the iron ant once would make me feel sick, who knows, but my dr said it and I'm going to trust that she's done this before and knows what she's talking about. That's her job.

I know my friend means well, but I really hate the mindset that "all-natural" means "no risk", "no side effects", "100% safe" and "better than anything your doctor may tell you".

Sorry, I guess I'm kind of bitter too. I mean, come on? Who can live up to this level of health perfection? I think I'll go have another corn dog.

 

We don't have to double of everything, just because there are two in there. LOL!

I do have to take extra vitamin c, e, and calcium on top of my prenatals. I'm up to 8 pills a day...yuck!

 

Has your MIL not seen the warnings about overdoing supplements? Also, this kind of supplementation may not be as effective as people think. . . research is still showing the best way to get nutritional value is through eating right. Supplements and even prenatal vitamins are taken as precautions - not as solutions.

Just "whatever" your MIL politely. Guess what? My MIL did the same thing to me because her nurse friend made her paranoid. The lady doesn't work with and hasn't ever dealt with OB patients.

 

QUOTE(Vivian @ May 24 2008, 07:40 PM) [snapback]791584[/snapback]
Sorry, I guess I'm kind of bitter too. I mean, come on? Who can live up to this level of health perfection? I think I'll go have another corn dog.


:lol: I hear ya on that mama! Yum, corn dogs!

 

Thanks everyone! I know she is jsut a crackpot....she REALLLLLLLY is.....if you only knew. :huh:

 

I agree! I would not take double vitamins without direction from my dr to do so! you take the vitamins for you and ther is only one of you! If you need an extra supplement your dr will put you on it!

 

You definitely DON'T want to take two prenatals. However, check with your doc to see how you should supplement. My doc has me on extra calcium, iron and folic acid. Just be sure you understand how to take all your meds...

Never take iron with calcium, since calcium will inhibit absorbtion...this includes Tums!

Iron will be better absorbed with vitamin C....many supplements include both.

Iron can be pretty harsh on your system, so be sure to ask your doc for a "gentler" iron...There are many new formulations out there...

Take calcium with meal...Citrical is absorbed best.

Good luck!!

 

QUOTE(babydrivers @ May 25 2008, 06:19 PM) [snapback]792294[/snapback]
You definitely DON'T want to take two prenatals. However, check with your doc to see how you should supplement. My doc has me on extra calcium, iron and folic acid.


This was how it was for me too. I just gag at the thought of having to take 2 prenatals. Those suckers are the size of "horse" pills. Gack!

 

Ditto everyone else. My OB told me to take more folic acid, but that's it. I'd politely tell her your doc advised you otherwise and maybe she'll let up. Good luck!

 

I asked my doctor about taking extra vitamins and he said no. One prenatal is enough! Of course, if you have a deficiency of something, your doc will tell you to take extra of it.

 

As per my Peri I took 1 prenantal along with extra folic acid, extra iron, extra calcium and by my own choice I added a DHA supplement for brain development!

 

My peri said one prenatal and an extra 400mcg of folic acid.

 

I remember one person when I was pregnant with the twins whose doctor recommended two ... the rest of us all were prescribed one. I'm a nurse and I hate other nurses who "prescribe" herbal stuff or give advice because they think that they KNOW. The excess herbal crap can kill your liver because your body can't eliminate it. Hey try to limit that MIL when the babies arrive. If she lives far away, don't have her stay at your house if you can help it. I had a nutty SIL who arrived 3 days after the girls came home and it was torture !!!!!!!!!

Heather

 

good question I always wondered that I actually take double on days I don't feel like I got enough good foods but that's hardly ever.....but mine are just the kind from wal-mart

 

my dr. has me on 2 vitamins due to low hemoglobin but i think i'm going to ask if theres something else we can do because the 2 vitamins are making me very constipated!! sometimes i take 2 one night and one the next.

 

I thought I would have to so I asked my peri and she said no, just take one.

 

Only extra Folic Acid is all I have ever heard. I took my regular Prenatal Pill and a Folic Acid Pill. Your body will only absorb what it needs anyway and discard the rest or your will just have too much of say iron and be constipated. Stick with what you are doing or ask your OB she's probably just trying to help but it can be annoying...just tell her you are taking two what would she know anyway!