re: newly pregnant with vitamin question

Hello everyone!

I'm a bit more than 1 1/2 years post RNY and just recently discovered I'm expecting our 3rd child!!  : )  I'm 6 weeks today.  I have a 5 1/2 year old daughter and 3 year old son.

I'm wondering what vitamin recommendations you're receiving in the states, I live in Austria and the surgery isn't that common let alone, pregnancy following this surgery.  I've done  a bit of research on my own and think I've got things fairly well covered, but would like to know what you all are taking.  The docs here (with the exception of the surgeons) aren't that knowledgeable about post RNY protocols and I want to be sure I'm doing the best I can for this baby.  

Any and all responses are most appreciated!

Best wishes to all!
Linda

This is a pretty godd general lineup, I think.
2 Centrum or prenatals, daily
2000mlg Calcium citrate
1000mlg additional Vitamin D3
additional iron if not in your multi
500 mlg of DHA (they are finding this is very important for brain development.)

Since you had RNY, be sure to use calcium citrate. Your surgeon should be checking your vitamin levels throughout your pregnancy. Based on the results, he should alter your make additional recommendations.

and your B12 vits of course!
My dr has me on 1 regular multivitamin & 1 prenatal instead of 2 prenatals.

I am taking
2- Celebrate Multivitamins (Bariatric vitamins and 2 is the normal daily dose, it contains 800mcg folic acid)
1-iron (60mg) (Was taking 2 but currently on 1- will have it re-checked in a while because my levels had been low, but are now pretty good)
1-Vit D 5000iu (Was on 10,000 daily but my numbers are now up so I'm hoping 5000 will maintain it)
1-B12 1000mcg weekly (was once daily but now my level was a tad too high)
1-B6 daily (50mg i think)
6- Calcium Citrates daily (250mg ea)

And I asked by ob/gyn's office about DHA and they said they dont routinely recommend it for pregnant women. She said I could take it I wanted to, but was not a requirement like the folic acid is.

My OBGYN said to look for a prenatal with DHA in it. Since a fetus's brain is mostly made of fatty substance in the 1st trimester, it can be very important. With all the babies being diagnosed with learning disabilities and neuroligical impairment, please consider this. What's one or two more pills a day when we are already on so many? Autism alone is affecting 1 in every 100 babies now.
Just something for everyone to think about.

I wonder if those of us who have malabsorptive surgery get much out of our DHA, because of fat malabsorption.  DSers malabsorb more than RNYers, but I think it's estimated that RNYers malabsorb a third or so of fats on average.   Makes me wonder if it's worth taking DHA or fish oil or anything similar, or if we should just aim for taking more than the average person needs.

I would still take it, but triple the dose in your case. All fish oils are not created equal, you have to look at the amount of DHA in the ingredients. Some have very little. There is also a plant version that target sells. The stuff I take is by rainbow light called "Smart DHA 250", which I plan on tripling once I actually get pregnant. I have a 12 yr old with autism, so if this DHA is supposed to help support healthy brain tissue and function, count me in!

That is so true about the marketing - it may say DHA included but it can be a teeny amount.  Always important to read the labels.  I believe that DHA supplement made by Enfamil for pregnant women is actually pretty low in DHA, which is too bad because it's easy to find.

I am still looking into it, but I do also know my ob's office said if I took it, to take one that is algae based. Its my understanding you're not getting contaminants, such as mercury for one thing, when it's algae based.. So Im' looking to see what the options are.

I think the most important thing is to have your levels checked frequently. I had mine done about every 6 weeks. I have always struggles with vit D, but during my pg my iron slipped and my b-12 slipped. If you catch it early you can adjust accordingly. Good luck. Shari