Q: I am 10 weeks pregnant. I have been taking prenatal vitamins (though not very regularly) since week 5. I am lactose-intolerant and a vegetarian. Since the past few weeks, I have been experiencing severe nausea, diarrhoea (a constant problem for me, pre-pregnancy, and even though its not as severe as pre-pregnancy, it still means 4-6 times a day) and also have vomited once or twice on most days. I tried changing my prenatal vitamins but it did not help resolve the nausea problem. Now at week 10, nausea has subsided considerably, but I am still reluctant to take prenatal vitamins. I am worried about my baby's health. Is it okay if I were to continue pre-natal vit. maybe after my first trimester is over? My diet currently included lots of fruits, not that many vegetables. This is all I can tolerate. Please advise.

A:You have not given details of what you call as pre-natal vitamins. You must, I repeat must, take folic acid to prevent the development of malformation of the baby. I suggest you take slow release, low dose Fecontin-F Continus one tablet daily for the duration of pregnancy. Besides this no further medication is required. You diet is good - lots of fruits and lots of vegetables. There are hundreds of millions of vegetarians around the world. It is not handicap. Lactose intolerance is not uncommon. The only precaution you have to take it to prevent dehydration. Passing of 4-5 stools is day is not the problem, the issue is dehydration. Hence you should take lots of liquids in whatever form you like.