Folic Acid - did you take the recommended 3 months BEFORE ttc?

[PedigreeChump]

Just after your experiences - due to a change in circumstances, DH and I have decided to start TTC sooner rather than later. I've only just started the folic acid supplements and the recommendation is to take them for 3 months before falling pregnant. Do you think we should just begin the TTC antics anyway?

It's rather unlikely I'll be pg in the next 3 months anyway as I anticipate it taking longer (coming off the pill after a decade on it - eek!)

Did you all follow the recommendations? Am I doomed to be a terrible mother already by considering risking future baby's health?

Thanks
PC

[Allboxedin]

No, I didn't before either pregnancy. :)

[Quenelle]

No. I started taking it when we started TTC and got my BFP first month so haven't been taking it long at all.

[kat2504]

As far as I am aware you can't build up stores of it. It is just a vitamin after all. I think they recommend you start it early so that you are covered from the moment of conception. But loads of people who don't get pregnant intentionally only start it from bfp. You'll be fine, just take it from now and begin ttc anyway.

[PedigreeChump]

Thanks for replies! TTC here we come

[Bartimaeus]

Was planning on taking it at least a month before TTC, but we decided to TTC earlier than planned so ended up only taking it 2 weeks before TTC.

Got pregnant first month, so probably took it 4 weeks before conception!

Also, had many many days during the first 3 months when I threw up everything, including my pregnancy vitamins. It started worrying me that I was a Bad Mother but then I realised that women have given birth without folic acid for centuries, and we're fine.

[Bartimaeus]

PS I was on pill for years and got pregnant first month of TTC

Good luck!

[banana87]

Yes, I did. BUT I had miscarried twice before that so never stopped taking the folic acid. I didn't miscarry this time so next time I will definitely start the folic acid 3 months before TTC.

[Oeisha]

Yup, I did. Just to cover myself in case we conceived very quickly. As it was it took 11 months...I was on the pill too (POP), and can happily say I didn't have a 'proper' period until the one before conception. Did get bleeds, but they varied from 27 days to 55 days...and they didn't hurt so much I wanted morphine...or make me vomit, so didn't think they were propper. Anyway the one before conception was back to normal...so don't be suprised if it doesn't happen straight away.
The only thing my GP asked, beyond taking the basic folic acid was to have 1 bleed before we TTC as it would allow them to use that bleed as the LMP for dating if I did get pg straight away.

[SuiGeneris]

Yes, started taking it about 6 months before TTCing dC1 and have never stopped. TBH, it's wise to take it throughout the childbearing years, just in case...

[mumt1]

I've not take any and I'm 7 weeks pregnant. Is it to late to start?? Will everything be ok. I am having an issue taking tablets, just makes me wana throw it bk up

[Oeisha]

Dunno if it's any good. BUT there is a product out there called "Water Baby". Supposidly has your daily dose of folic acid. It tastes foul to me (got it as a freebie with an online order from chemist) but then I'm on a ctrus free diet, so am not used to it. Might be worth looking in to.

[LoveInAColdClimate]

Mumt1 - yes, please start taking it, it's very important. If you want to take a general pregnancy vitamin, Boots own are (I find) easier to swallow than Pregnacare. You can also buy stand alone folic acid which comes in very small, easy to swallow pills.

OP - I ended up taking it (well, general conception vits) for about a year before we actually conceived but I wouldn't worry too much, just keep taking it now. Just think how many people get pregnant without planning it...

NB - am not a doctor!

[HPonEverything]

I didn't as we started TTC on Boxing Day and I thought it would take months but I was pg by mid-January. So I'd only been taking it for about 2 weeks.

Have taken it (well, pregnacare) all the way through my pregnancy though.

[ripstheirthroatoutliveupstairs]

I had optimistically taken it for about 7 years. Once me and DH stopped TTC, DD was made and I had to get a supply. I started taking it after she was conceived.

[PedigreeChump]

Ooh lots of different experiences... I should have started taking it earlier, oh well. Have always taken vitamins with folic acid in, but not the full ttc dose.

mumt1 I have Sainsbury's own brand Mum-to-Be Folic Acid and the pills are absolutely tiny, can recommend. Was cheap as well. There are foods high in folic acid, spinach, peas, egg yolks... a quick google will tell you!

[Crosshair]

I would just start as soon as you can and not give it too much thought/worry.

[LoveInAColdClimate]

Pedigree Chump - sorry to hijack but from my other thread, if you're not already pregnant, am in awe of your Cheeses In Pregnancy encyclopaedic knowledge! Good luck with the TTC. Am sure that if you have been taking vits with some folic acid and topping up with reasonable diet you will be fine. Lots of people live on McDonalds and vodka, get pregnant by mistake, and have a perfectly healthy baby. Try not to worry.

[gigglepin]

yup, i did for all of my pregnacies.

[starkadder]

I did, for my two pregnancies that have worked (fingers crossed - am 30 wks with the 2nd one). I have also had 4 early miscarriages (2 before DS and 2 after) and for those I had not been religiously taking folic acid. So, I would say, it is really important - although lots and lots of people are absolutely fine without taking folic acid for 3 months before conceiving, it's also recommended for a reason. Good luck with it all :)

[MonsterBookOfTysons]

I did not take folic acid before I was pg or for more thank a few days when pg and I have 2 very healthy children. :)

[notlettingthefearshow]

I didn't take it - didn't occur to be as we weren't TTC v seriously. So started taking it when I knew I was pregnant, at 7 weeks.

Next time though I would take i when TTC and also hold off the booze etc a bit more!

[PedigreeChump]

Thanks everyone for responses and good wishes, very much appreciated.

LoveInAColdClimate why thank you, I pride myself on my cheese knowledge TTC-ing has been a long time coming and I am obsessed with what I can/can't eat. But not obsessed enough to actually take Folic Acid, apparently

[vicky35weeks]

Seriously you should give WaterBaby a go! I saw loads of reviews about it on the internet before I decided to try it and I'm glad I did. I suffered terribly with morning sickness and couldn't keep anything down, this drink really helped - the taste was lovely, very refreshing and the citrus flavour didn't make me feel sick at all. Really worth a go if your struggling with your pills.

[PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom]

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