Replacing prenatal vitamins?

[Sashie]

As most of you know I have just had a baby about a month ago and am trying to continue on Lifetime maintenance Phase. I am thinking about replacing my prenatal vitamins with my old ones I used before I got pregnant... GNC brand without Iron. Prenatal have Iron in them, I cannot seem to compare the differences as upon removing the prescription label came the % list with it. I am wondering if I should continue the prenatal or if it is going to make a difference breast feeding the baby if I switch to GNC or something of that nature. Another concern that I have is the last phase of my pregnancy I became anemic. I have already stopped taking the additional Iron prescribed to me because the baby was having what we thought to be constipation issues.

My guess is lifetime maintenance should give me enough Iron through food without needing any kind of supplement, is this true? My postpartum appointment is not for another 2 weeks, let alone them knowing anything about Iron and Atkins WOE. Thanks in advance!

[elsy]

Re: Replacing prenatal vitamins?

Hi Sashi. I wish I knew the answer. This sounds like a question for your OBGYN. If you find out let us know. Or hopefully someone here who knows will come along and tell us. Interesting question.

[biogeek]

Re: Replacing prenatal vitamins?

Sashie,

As you know, pregnancy uses up a lot of your stored iron and now you need to build them back up again. It is possible to do this with eating correctly, but ideally, you should ask your OB/GYN. Most physician offices will allow you to call to speak to a nurse free of charge when questions arise. If the nurse doesn't know the answer, she can then ask the physician and call you back later.

If you don't feel comfortable bringing up Atkins, then express your concerns about constipation from iron, which is a common side-effect from iron supplements. More than likely, they will tell you that supplements without iron will be fine for you, but it never hurts to ask.

If you tell me the brand of pre-natal vitamins you are taking, I can look them up and post the nutrients here. You can then compare it to the other vitamins that you interested in taking.

Best of luck to you and your new one!