7 years post op - need vitamin refresher/help

7 years post op. I need to get back on track with my vitamins now that I am prego. I kinda fell off an need to get back into it.

I still take 2 flintstone's a day for my multivitamin. 1 celebrate calcium chew a day. I get B12 shots 1 time a month. I get iron infusions when my iron gets low. Its been on target the past 6 months though so I haven't needed infusions lately.

D3 - What's the preferred brand. There is only 1 or 2 options on Amazon, I could order from other sites. I haven't taken this in awhile and my levels are low so I need to get started soon. I cant remember the brand I used to take.

Is flintstones still an acceptable multi vitamin, or do you recommended others while prego?

Also, am I missing any vitamins in this list?

Thank you for the help!

This topic came up at the last support group I attended for my surgeon. Yes, Flintstones was still their reco 2 per day, even preg. The only supplementation was Folate. But your specific levels likely should be discussed with your OB or surgeon. That's my memory, as good as it is (which usually isn't good).

Flintstones are NOT acceptable, as they do not meet the minimum ASMBS requirements. I did a comparison of them:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1k8Ts_FX9wrfzTDMtLWga V_e4ax6n_3Sw0N6Kd3U9Fqk/edit?usp=sharing

Here is a sheet listing the ASMBS recommendations. You should be able to meet these with a regular multivitamin, like Centrum, by taking a double dose each day. You'll also need additional calcium and iron. Make sure to check the dose on your calcium chews, often you'll need several per day to get enough calcium.

Look for powdered vitamin D, rather than an oil-based capsule. You should be able to find something at your local drugstore.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OO_3Nse1GJYJ0izLO9kF v2v32hkDX0N6yZVfH8jBnpw/edit?usp=sharing

Since you're pregnant, you'll want to add a folic acid supplement to your vitamins. You'll also need to check with your doctor about the "double up on the regular dose" strategy during pregnancy, as too much vitamin A can cause problems.

The Centrum, we just crush the tablet? How many per day? And the silver, woman, or adult version?

Do you suggest any folic acid that isn't gel caps?

After the first few weeks post-op, you are completely able to take regular pills without crushing them. I've been taking normal pills and vitamins since the day I got home from the hospital!

Not a criticism of your comment, but a PSA for anyone planning on becoming pregnant:

It is important to start taking folic acid BEFORE you get pregnant. Taking it once you find out is better than nothing, but spina bifida or any neural tube defect occurs very early in a pregnancy, often before you take a test!

Taking it after a few months is not going to help prevent anything.

Yes! Thanks for adding this!

Thank you for adding this. Many people are not aware that certain defects or vulnerabilities to the fetus in pregnancy are timeline specific. Neural tube defects can take place before the placenta is even functioning and different medicines are unsafe vs. safe at different points in pregnancy. I think I found a chart online years ago that outlined what months were riskiest for what things/deformities etc. back when I was teaching childbirth education but heck if I can find it now. It was really helpful for me when supporting and providing information to growing families

I haven't seen a chart like that, but mothertobaby.org is an amazing resource for that sort of thing! You can look up any medication, supplement, etc. and it will tell you about safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding. You can even do a live chat with an expert in medication safety, it's great!

Sorry if I wasn't clear. My surgeon said 2 flinstones plus b12 and calcium plus select others for preg. I wasn't saying only 2 flinstones. But I'm happy to show him your post and I'm SURE they will adjust their program. But thanks for so nicely putting your point. I keep thinking why membership seems way down. Making people feel like you did to me seems like a good reason. But YOU know best. Thanks for the correction