Just wondering if any other ladies were judged for not taking vitamins & supplements during their pregnancy?
I feel like i'm being made out to be a bad parent to my unborn baby by not taking them my doctor advised me to take some but also said that i am very healthy, healthier during pregnancy than i was before falling pregnant.
16 Replies
I only ever took an iron supplement nothing else. Only took that because my iron level is extremely low even without being preg.
Dont sweat it. Each to their own I say.
The reasons others are judging you is that there is an overwhelming body of evidence to support taking a pregnancy multivitamin. The body needs extra nourishment particularly folate and iodine during pregnancy to reduce the risk of birth defects in your unborn bub.
Taking a multivitamin does no harm to you so what are you hoping to achieve by not taking one? I would suggest that that might be why others are judging you, its not like medications which have some yukky side effects...
Inform yourself on the topic and that way when others judge you'll be more understanding of their stance and be better armed to defend your choice!
I'm worry but taking a multivitamin has been proven dangerous if you don't need them. Some vitamins if you take too much can effect your health in a negative way. Too much Vitamin A is bad while your pregnant. Too much Vitamin B can make your hands shake and jitter. Too much iron can be toxic. And so forth. I don't think in anyway shape or form you have to take a multivitamin! Your body doesn't even absorb it as well as eating whole foods. I would just continue eating very well, making sure you're eating enough red meat, green veggies, and getting 10 minutes of direct sunlight a day. If you want to take one - take one. But don't feel shamed into doing so. That's ridiculous.
Im pregnant with my 4th and have 3 very healthy kids that i never ever took and pregnancy multivtamins with
this is my question... my point being why should i have to take them if i dont want too im just sick of people saying you should do this and do that... im sure there were no such vitamins etc 100 years ago and women were still having children then....and what about others who smoke drink take drugs during pregnancy and their children come out fine and look at all the toxins going into their body... im quite healthy and have a very active job i just hate being made to feel tiny for one simple choice
Because most women don't support each other there too busy judging each other it gets worse when you actually have the baby there are so many more things to judge you on then. It's very sad but true because of this my circle of friends is very small but we all accept that we all mother different and don't make each other feel bad for it.
So agree with this. I try to accept everone has choices and can do what they want, however i should admit that it gets a bit hard not to judge when you hear the reasoning and its very illogical or just plain incorrect, statements that especially rile me are ' women didn used to do it & they were fine'. 'I look perfectly healthy' or anecdotal stories like ' i didnt and im completely fine'. Its just bad logic and thats what makes me roll my eyes and believe its an uneducated decision. I have to admit i hate facebook for this reason, i know too much and feel entitled to an opinion & have to remind myself even if the reasoning doesnt make sense, its not my business. If your decisions made, maybe just say because you choose not to and thats all you need to explain to anyone.
What's the difference? To those posting that they took vitamins because of all the research that has been done, have you also read the new research stating that vitamins taken after 20 weeks is more likely to develop allergies and asthma in the baby later on in life? Each to their own. I CHOSE to take a pregnancy vitamin in the first trimester for each of my pregnancies. That was my decision. I don't tell people this, though, for the simple reason: I know how other women will react. I don't want to be judged for petty things and I would never judge anyone for their choice in this or any other such matter. If you're eating a healthy, balanced diet, I think you're fine.
Children who are born to mothers who take drugs and smoke do not come out fine. They have to go through withdrawal when they are born. Excess alcohol causes huge problems too, it's call fetal alcohol syndrome.
You will discovery this once ur baby is here that everyone has their own opinion, listen to everything and make the decision for your self. Personally I didn't take militi vit as they cause me to vomit continuously and I have 3 healthy children
Don't worry about it. I took vitamins when I was pregnant with both of my children. One is fine, the other has Asperger's. Unless you're massively deficient in anything, it's not a problem. Just be sure your GP gives you regular tests for things like your iron levels. Good luck :)
With my first and second I only ever took iron. With my third from 5 weeks I took pregnancy supplements and 12 weeks started iron. In all honesty I can see any difference in my kids because I did/didn't take them. I would suggest having a chat to a naturopath and making a decision after that.
Use this experience as your first lesson in parenting. You will be judged for everything. I'm not even joking.
You will be judged for breast feeding by some but judged for bottle feeding by others.
Then there is disposable versus cloth nappies.
Dummy versus no dummy
Whether you use a blanket in the cot
Your method of discipline
I have even been judged for putting my boy in a blue jumpsuit and encouraging gender stereotypes.
If you look like shit you will be judged but if you look great you will be judged too.
Use this experience to be at peace with it. They don't know you and they don't know your baby. Be an amazing mumma by following your instincts and beliefs and don't let people who have no relevance get you down :) :)
You will always be judged by others no matter what you do... And it gets worse when baby comes! You know what's best for you and your baby!
Saying that I had to take the vitamins + and extra tablet of folic acid due to neural tube defect in a previous pregnancy which was only discovered when we were 21 weeks. It was heartbreaking
You need to live with the decisions you make for you and your family. I'm actually surprised by how many posted that they didn't take vitamins. I did and it was right for me.
I never took supplements or vitamens during either of my pregnancys. And i had 2 good size healthy bubs. No less than 7Lb they are now 3 & 6 months.
If you dont want to take them Dont it is completely up to you and only you can make the decision.