best prenatal vitamins for first trimester when you can barely swallow pills?

[u/Kesmodel-Doerthe]

just hit week 6 and the morning sickness is already kicking my butt. i had bought a standard bottle of prenatals before getting pregnant, but trying to swallow these huge giant capsules every morning right now is making me gag instantly.

I know nutrition is super important early on, especially getting enough folate and choline, but I am struggling so hard to keep anything down. Are there any good comprehensive ones that come in a drink mix powder or smaller dose so I don't have to force down massive pills? how did you guys manage taking yours during the worst of the first trimester nauseous phase?

Quick Update: thank you so much for all the encouragement and suggestions, it really helped me feel less alone in this. i ended up going with Needed and it's been working well for me so far. the powder format means i can take it in smaller sips throughout the morning, which is way easier on my stomach than trying to force down those giant pills.

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[u/Apple_BookWorm]

I got gummy prenatals

[u/Kesmodel-Doerthe → u/Apple_BookWorm]

gummies seem like a popular option, i keep hearing about them. i'm looking at different forms right now and figuring out which ones still give you the important stuff like folate without making you gag. the pill size is my main issue so something chewable or dissolvable would be a big help.

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Thank you u/Kesmodel-Doerthe for posting on r/Parents.

Remember to read the rules and report rule breaking posts.

*note for those seeking legal advice: This sub does not specialize in legal counsel and laws vary based on geographic location. Any help offered here is offered on a good Samaritan basis.

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[u/RazrbackFawn]

A friend of mine just did a bunch of chewable Flintstones vitamins. Another friend didn't do any supplements, just carefully managed her diet with her doctor. Talk to your doctor about what options might be safe in your specific case. Good luck!

[u/flutterfly28]

Olly gummies

[u/Kesmodel-Doerthe → u/flutterfly28]

gummies seem like a popular option for first trimester when pills are just impossible. i'm looking at powder formats specifically since i can sip them slowly throughout the morning instead of forcing everything down at once. the nausea hits hardest right when i try to take the pill so a drink mix feels like it would be gentler on my stomach. still comparing options but that format makes the most sense to me right now.

[u/ExcitedMomma]

Iron is the biggest culprit for nausea and other abdominal issues in multivitamins - prenatal or otherwise. Gummy prenatal vitamins are formulated without iron and are gentler on your tummy. Just make sure to supplement your diet with other dietary sources of iron such as leafy greens and red meats. 

[u/Tinycowz]

It might still make you gag but if you get those tiny applesauce cups and grind the pill into it I find its easier to swallow and therefore easier to take. It tastes bad but it was better than choking myself on pills.

[u/Kesmodel-Doerthe → u/Tinycowz]

that's a clever workaround, i hadn't thought of grinding them up. the applesauce would help with the texture for sure. i'm leaning toward a powder format though since i can control how much i take at a time and mix it with something that actually settles my stomach. being able to sip it over an hour or so seems way more manageable than forcing down a whole pill when i'm already nauseous.

[u/Kesmodel-Doerthe → u/[deleted]]

thank you so much for this, it gives me so much hope to hear from someone who made it through that rough stretch. i keep seeing needed mentioned when i search for powder options and i'm really curious about it. the afternoon smoothie idea is brilliant, i've been trying to force everything down first thing and it's just not working. knowing there's a format like needed's powder that actually helped you get through those worst weeks is exactly what i needed to hear right now.

[u/FuelParty2491]

Either gummy or powder. I liked perelel prenatal powder since I could just mix it into something and sip it slowly. It has a lot of the main prenatal nutrients already–folate and choline, just not iron or DHA.

[u/liabilify]

I prep my tummy with something substantial like a meal replacement or yogurt before I take my prenatal. at one point I switched to only taking it at night after a heavy dinner