Difference between Pre-Natal Vitamins and Folic Acid?

I just took prenatal vitamins and turned to natural sources for additional folic acid.

The daily women's vitamins might be good enough alone. Check the label for the amount....(of course the prenatal vitamins already have enough folic acid.)
Folic acid can reduce your risk of having a baby with a serious birth defect of the brain and spinal cord, called the "neural tube." A baby with spina bifida, the most common neural tube defect, is born with a spine that is not closed. The exposed nerves are damaged, leaving the child with varying degrees of paralysis, incontinence, and sometimes mental retardation.
Neural tube defects develop in the first 28 days after conception, before many women realize they are pregnant. Because about half of all pregnancies are unplanned, the U.S. Public Health Service recommends that all women of childbearing age get 400 micrograms of folic acid each day. In fact, the FDA now requires that all flour products -- such as breads, buns, and bagels -- be fortified with extra folic acid. A woman who has had a prior child with a neural tube defect should discuss the appropriate dose of folic acid with her doctor before her next pregnancy. Studies have shown that taking a larger dose (up to 4,000 micrograms) at least one month before and during the first trimester may be beneficial.
There are natural sources of folic acid: green leafy vegetables, nuts, beans, and citrus fruits. It's also found in many fortified breakfast cereals and some vitamin supplements.

your right prenatals do contain folic acid....you should compare the vitamins that are in wwomen's daily vitamins to whats in prenatals you don't want to take something you should be! if i was you i would just take the folic acid until you get prenatals and then only take the prenatals...

Pre Natals do have Folic acid, and other vitamins you need, Including DHA, which you aren't going to get in a Daily women's vitamin. You should just take the Prenatals, 2 doses of folic acid a day is too much and can be harmful, yes folic acid alone is not enough! Good luck

I just took a pre-natal vitamin. It doesn't hurt to take extra folic acid, because your body will excrete what it doesn't need, but you'd probably be wasting your money.

about $50 Sorry, I couldn't resist. Hey, are you pregnant?? Folic Acid is most important. Eating right, rest, excersize and a great OB/GYN is also handy! I was lucky, I had the BEST Dr. ever.