Folate and Early Pregnancy: A Guide for Expectant Mothers

Question
Hello,
I am 31 and this is my first pregnancy (last date of menstrual period was Feb 25).  Much to my surprise I conceived naturally after being told that my husband had low sperm motility - so I only took a prenatal vitamin about 5 days a week prior to becoming pregnant.  Since discovering my pregnany rather early on, I have continued to take the prenatal vitamin at my doctor's request.  However, my morning sickness (which occurs at any time of the day without much warning) sometimes prevents it from staying down soon after taking it. This has happened 4-5 times. I have tried to take it the vitamin at different times of the day and am largely successful in doing this. I am concerned that I may be depriving the embroyo of essential nutrients during this important developmental stage.  At the same time, I worry about taking another vitamin after I am sick to replace the one that I lose.

Answer
Don't worry about the vitamins at this time. Your mornng sickness will disappear at around 15 weeks gestation and you can, safely, discontinue the antenatal vitamins until then, if you can't keep them down due to the nausea. The antenatal vitaminss can  be started again when you feel well and will still be effective.