Prenatal vitamins with iron | ADHD Information
Hi there,
I'm seven months pregnant now and have done some reading into iron supplementation - how useful and if there are any risks to taking too much iron during pregnancy. There have been no definitive studies, but wonder if - looking back - there's been any effect on child behavior or childhood food allergies.
If moms wouldn't mind sharing: did you take daily doses of prenatal vitamins with iron (the usual 27mg) during your pregnancy? did your doctor up the dosage for anemia? did you take prenatal vitamins with iron intermittently - and how often? If you took no prenatal vitamins at all, would love to hear that too! Whatever you feel like sharing would be very helpful.
With much thanks,
Rachelle
Hi Rachelle!
I've never been good at taking pills on a daily basis but I did take my prenatals MOST of the time with my oldest (not adhd). I would miss a day here and there occasionally but for the most part, I did take them. With my daughter (adhd) I was pretty sick my entire pregnancy...nausea, vomiting, gall bladder troubles, etc. so I didn't take my prenatals as often as I should have because I really couldn't keep much down or eat much without being or feeling sick. I did take them whenever I could and she was born at a normal weight and healthy too.
Hope this helps!
i took prenatal vitamins with both kids, my son is not adhd. i took them daily in both pregnancies.
shelley
You might want to look into vaccinations as well.........I took prenatal vitamins every day. I do not remember the mgs. of Iron they had in them though. However, at some point during my pregnancy, I want to say about 4 months, I tested anemic, so the Dr. also had me start taking "Slow FE" which was an Iron supplement.
DD (age 10) has ADD, mild TS, some OC symptoms, anger and rage issues, and some sensory issues. That's all we know of...for now.
DD has no known food allergies. She is allergic to two medications that we are aware of.
MamaBear39024.7806134259
Firstly, I would like to say that you are about to embark on some of the best years of your life. There is nothing like having children. They are a blessing. Congrats to you and your family. 
If this isn't your first child, I know that you know this.
None of us planned on having children with ad/hd. We do though and we love them with all of our hearts. You just have to love them and do what it takes to help them.
I would bet that doctors would tell us that iron supplements have nothing to do with ad/hd. I'm inclined to believe that ad/hd has nothing to do with iron supplements . When I was pregnant, my first ob/gyn gave me the vitamins and mentioned that he had prescribed them to his Naval officers (men) while they were stationed overseas. I found that quite interesting.
I truely believe that ad/hd is a neurological condition as much of the research backs this up. I also believe that it is genetically linked. My son's father has ad/hd.
4myson39024.7936226852I strongly believe it is genetic too, along with other factors. I took prenatal vitamins every day, they where doctor perscribes, but just normal, my iron level has always been on the high side. I agree with Dillons Mom, my son got the ADHD from my husband ( his dad). My husband is finally starting to agree ....he says "Yep that was me when I was a child"Every single day, with both, as well as calcium and folic acid (they told me taking folic acid would prevent neurological problems). I think AD/HD must be genetic.
Hi and welcome. I took iron supplements during both pregnancies. I was actually anemic both times and I would feel like passing out! So iron supplements were a must. One child has ADHD, one doesn't. Their dad has ADHD inattentive also 
. Of course he says that I say that EVERYONE has ADHD.
I am also RH negative, so I had the rhogam shots during pregnancy also. You know, the ones with thimerasol.....so I had to worry about mercury poisoning also. I also had some alcoholic drinks when I was pregnant but didn't know I was pregnant, so I worried about that also. You can drive yourself nuts with these things. Try not to do that, OK?
NO IT MADE ME CONSTIPATED.IF YOU USE THEM TAKE WITH YOUR OIL SUPPLEMENT AND ANTIOXIDANT. LOOSENS THE BOWELS. PHYTONUTRIENTS ARE GREAT LOADED WITH DIFFERENT SUPPLEMINTATION ALL IN ONE.
Hi again,
Thank you so much for all the helpful responses! I do think there is definitely a genetic connection, but also wonder if iron doesn't exacerbate potential neurological problems. But it's all speculation right now. The question is really whether pregnant women need to be supplemented with iron, if they aren't anemic. And I've been really conservative in my iron taking.
FYI - the only study I've found is a 2006 University of Adelaide Australia study that found an increase in behavior problems among children whose moms were part of a controlled iron supplementation study. It's a small difference - of the 140 total women, half were given placebo, have iron (20mg) beginning in their 20th week to the end of term. Twice as many children at age four (12 vs 6) exhibited what were called behavioral differences (not named ADHD or related right now). They will be following the children over the next few years when they enter school. It's a really small number of children who appear affected, so a lot more research is needed. But the conclusion of the lead researcher was that if these kinds of results bear out, routine iron supplementation may be more risky than beneficial. Australia right now has a selective iron policy only - anemic pregnant women are the only ones prescribed iron.
As for my own pregnancy, this is my first. I'm on bedrest for placenta previa, so obviously have time to read up (and maybe worry too muich)!
Appreciate the great insight - there is no definitive pattern from what I've read so far. Will keep exploring.
Rachelle
rachelle,
I'm so sorry you are on bedrest. I know that can be trying. Please take care of yourself and enjoy that little one when he/she enters this world.
Maybe try reading some pleasure reading since after the little one enters the world reading often gets put to the side. I was once an avid reader.
to you and that little one
I took additional irom with my ADHD son. I dont' think I took extra with my non-ADHD son, however with both I took regular prenatal vitamins which I'm pretty sure had iron.