How long before TTC should I start my prenatal vitamins

[Kmx]

My OH and I have decided to possibly move our TTC date forward. One thing that stops me is that I haven't started taking any prenatal vitamins. I was planning on starting soon and to have been taken them for about 3 months before TTC. if we move if forward it may only possibly be a month or so that I would be taken vitamins for.

What are the official guidelines?

P.s. My son was "unplanned" so I didn't start my pregnancy vitamins until 4 weeks pregnant and he was fine and I know that chances are everything would be fine anyway... But I'd just like to know I have done everything I can for the babies health and if waiting 3 months so that I have been taken vitamins for the recommended time then that's what I would like to do.

So, please help! How long is enough to know if got enough vitamins in my system? How long before TTC is everyone else starting vitamins?

 

[fairycat]

A few people told me 1 month before. So I started 1 month before we were planning to TTC. 2 months later I am still taking them, and don't know if I will ever stop. (TTC in July, finally!) So many benefits. IMO, it's never too early! I take an iron-free one, but take a vitamin with iron about twice a week.

 

[Kitteh_Kat]

With DD I didn't start taking them until after I got a positive test. This time around I haven't stopped taking them daily since I had her, since they're easier on my stomach than regular multi-vitamins.

I've heard between 1-3 months.

 

[Missy08]

I was told 3 months

 

[LoveCakes]

I thought it was 3 months for folic acid as it needs to build up in your system because it's fat soluble. Most other vitamins are water soluble so act immediately.

 

[AnglophileAsh]

I started in April, WTT until August. I've read that up to a year can be good, but I don't think that's an actual goal (more of a "hey, can't hurt!" approach. Beforehand is great, but if it's not possible don't worry too much about it and do what you can do ☺

 

[MindUtopia]

There is some evidence to show that 6 months is most ideal, but so long as you were taking them before you started to TTC, so maybe like a month, I wouldn't let that postpone when you TTC.

 

[Kmx]

Thanks all! I'm hoping to hold off until September time but if it happened sooner I'd be happy. Ideally in a perfect world it would be good for a few reasons to wait for a few months. But both myself and OH are getting more impatient and more careless with preventing. But I will be aiming to wait til September until officially trying.

 

[teevee]

I'm wondering the same thing! I'm already taking a good regular multi with folic acid daily - but I definitely want to switch to prenatal TTC with a higher folic amount. Debating when to make the switch because I really love the multi I'm on now.

 

[Gagrlinpitt]

My doctor told me 6 months before TTC. We will be TTC in March so I'll start prenatals in September.