Folic acid

[Swanny84]

I've been to my booking appointment which is done before you see midwife (called early bird session) and the lady I saw told me I was taken the wrong dose of folic acid as my bmi is too high (31), so I've had to request a prescription for 500mcg (I think that's right)....anyone else known this happen? I was a lot bigger (3 stone heavier) with my last baby and didn't need more. Also she said I need to take it till baby born, I've always thought this to be until 12 weeks. Obviously I aren't bothered about taking it, was just a tad embarrassed as I didn't know x

[Theorientcalf]

Folic acid should be 5mg for people with a high BMI, but only for 12 weeks so I'm not sure why you've been told to take it for your pregnancy, you can continue it if you want to. Maybe someone else can clarify that bit.

[Shelduck]

Don't be embarrassed. It's only something i saw reference to very recently (although not heard about taking it until baby is born). Made me laugh because during my first pregnancy a gp prescribed me a higher dose and he said he thought it was just better and shrugged his shoulders. I thought "ok whatever you say, doc" Haha now realise he was avoiding telling me i thought i was a bit on the plump side! For heaven's sake man, just say it!

[JennyBlueWren]

I have a BMI of 33.7 and same prescription. But it was only for the first 12 weeks. I thought there'd be a fuss about my BMI (there wasn't) but didn't know about extra folic acid and I have a friend who does a lot of promotion of folic acid ("folic before you frolic") as her daughter has spinabifida but she never mentioned it.

[Swanny84]

She might have confused herself as she told me I have to take vitamin d till baby here. Thanks all :) xxx

[KeepSmiling83]

I have to take 5mg of folic acid (for different reasons, not my BMI) and I've been told to keep taking it until the baby is born.

[WhyOWhyWouldYou]

Its a fairly new thing. When I had DS in 2012 it wasn't routine to give 5mg for high bmi.

Around here they say those with high bmi should take 5mg until 14weeks, followed by normal folic acid for the remainder of pregnancy.

[LittlePeasMummy1]

Here is a leaflet that discusses all of the reasons for needing to take a higher dose of folic acid. Hope this helps

www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/Medicine--pregnancy/Folic-Acid/

[Swanny84]

Thank you everyone xx

[WrappedInABlankie]

I have a high BMI and I take a normal one from wilkinsons, and will stop at 12 weeks as that when I was told. Same with my Ds who's 2 and I was the same weight then

[MrsLovell]

I have a high bmi too (30) and when I started ttc earlier this year I asked my doctor for the 5mg folic acid tablets as I had seen this advice too, I was told it was unnecessary, doctor even went away to check and rang me back to confirm it was unnecessary, the advice is given in the US but is not commonly prescribed here. So I have just been taking pregnacare with the normal 400ug in. Now I'm wondering if I should have insisted on the high dose...

[Swanny84]

Aww mrslovell I wouldn't worry, the doctors all contradict themselves don't they? Aslong as your taking at least the 4 xxx