I love Spring! asked:


I’ve heard its a good idea to take prenatal vitamins to increase my chances of pregnancy and having a healthy baby. I wasn’t sure if i need a prescription or if there are different brands like regular multi vitamins. Any tips?

12 Responses to “Can I buy prenatal vitamins over the counter? If not is there a brand comparable?”

1. sugarplum1922 on February 1st, 2010 9:25 am

   Laurine

   You can buy prenatal vitamins at a regualr grocery store. They are in the womans vitamin section and will say prenatal on them. They have them at walmart too! Just look for them!

2. Carrie23faery on February 3rd, 2010 8:18 am

   Alene

   its probably best to get a prescription, but some people just take chewable kids vitamins, my Dr. told me to take 2 a day. i like the gummy scooby doo ones myself, lol.

3. yippekayah on February 4th, 2010 3:14 pm

   Bethanie

   you can buy them at any drug store. they are no different than the prescribed ones the doctor trys to get you to buy. if you have insurance than it may be cheaper to get the prescribed ones. i have a healthy daughter and i used the over the counter ones. same damn ingredients just not a colorful bottle. i did use the lipil supplement “expecta” too to help develope her eye and brain.

4. dueoct16boy#3 on February 7th, 2010 10:41 pm

   Larissa

   You can buy them OTC at any drug store and most grocery stores (especially if they have a pharmacy area). Just look with the vitamins and you will usually see prenatals and many companies now sell them. I have seen them priced anywhere from $4 to $20 depending on the brand. Flintstones vitamins are also good.

5. Due 10/18 with Baby Girl #1! on February 11th, 2010 4:21 am

   Cristen

   Yes it’s a good idea to take the vitamins. My dr gave me a prescription but he also told me that the regular ones you can buy anywhere are just as good.

6. bella on February 12th, 2010 11:40 am

   Simonne

   you don’t need a presciption you can buy them from your local pharmacy they will know the best supplement for you,
   folic acid is a must when ttc and during early pregnancy , it greatly reduces the risk of spina bifida

   good pill is elevit (highly recomended by fs and doesn’t require a script)
   goodluck

7. Michelle on February 13th, 2010 8:22 am

   Teofila

   Taking a prenatal vitamin won’t help you get pregnant, but there are lots of over the counter prenatal vitamins to choose from. It’s also a good idea to start taking a folic acid supplement while you’re ttc and during pregnancy.

   Good luck =)

8. Death Warmed Over on February 13th, 2010 8:33 am

   Aleida

   There’s no need to get a prescription for prenatal vitamins. Just ask your doctor what you’re looking for specifically, like how many mg of folic acid or iron and then go to the grocery store and find one that fits the description.

9. Just Mom on February 13th, 2010 1:43 pm

   Lessie

   pregnancy vitamins come over the counter and you can get them at the grocery store or a pharmacy. I have the CVS brand prentals right now because they were on sale.

10. ~TTC#1 w/PCOS~ on February 13th, 2010 4:12 pm

    Serita

    I personally like the equate brand at walmart(inexpensive than others and just as good), yes it is a multi-vitamin and you do not have to take additional folic acid, just ask the pharmacist which one is best, that you don’t need a prescription for.
    Prenatal vitamins will not increase your chances with conceiving, but it is best to start taking them before getting pregnant to assure a healthy baby.

11. Gemini on February 15th, 2010 8:23 am

    Serena

    Yeah you can buy them over the counter I use Stuarts prenatal vitamins I think their suppose to be a good brand.

12. Kristy L on February 16th, 2010 2:10 pm

    Abbey

    Hi,

    It’s important to ensure that you eat a healthy diet and get sufficient amounts of vitamin B12 and Folic Acid to ensure your child isn’t born with spinal abnormalities.

    There are prenatal vitamins available at pharmacies or grocerie stores which would act as a great insurance policy to ensure you get the vital nutrients for you and your baby.

    Good luck!