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Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Pregnancy

Folic acid

20 replies

rydercup · 12/10/2004 11:08

Should I continue taking folic acid beyond the twelfth week or is it reasonable to stop now.

OP posts:

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Pidge · 12/10/2004 11:18

You can stop - the government recommendation is folic acid for the first 12 weeks (and prior to conception if possible) to reduce risk of spina biffida etc.

Having said that - my diet was so poor during my morning sickness phase I ended up buying multi-vits including folic acid so this pregnancy I'm still taking the stuff till I finish the pack, which will be around 28 weeks. Last time I shelved the folic acid at 12 weeks.

aloha · 12/10/2004 11:20

If you are taking it to ensure the spinal cord is fine, then that happened weeks and weeks ago so you could stop. HOwever, it is very good for you in general so you don't have to.

rydercup · 12/10/2004 11:42

Thanks folks - I knew you mums would be in the know!!! Just coming out of the dreaded m/s phase now so hoping to get the diet back on track!

OP posts:

SofiaAmes · 12/10/2004 22:42

My father who is a bit of an expert on this stuff was adamant that I take a daily multi vitamin (including folic acid) throughout my pregnancy.

Tommy · 12/10/2004 23:28

How long should you take it before you conceive? (just asking in a sort of hypothetical sort of way...)

Pidge · 13/10/2004 09:06

Tommy - I'm not really sure, but I was under the impression that the logic behind taking it before / whilst you're trying to conceive is that you might get pregnant at any time and not know until several weeks in, and the folic acid can have a beneficial impact in those very very early weeks. I started taking it daily as soon as we started trying for a baby.

Tommy · 13/10/2004 09:13

Mmmm - don't know if we are trying for a baby or not yet - perhaps I'd better get that sorted in my head first!

marthamoo · 13/10/2004 09:13

Tommy, Pidge is right, you should take it as soon as you start ttc (hypothetically speaking ) because most people don't know they're pregnant until about 5ish weeks - and the window for spinal/neural tube development is very small (I think it is week 5). So, if you got pg straight away and didn't start taking folic acid 'til you had a positive pg test - you could well have missed the point where it is of real benefit.

And rydercup - no, no benefit to the baby after 12 weeks, but, as aloha says, it's good for you anyway - perhaps a pregnancy multi-vitamin as sofia suggests? It must be one specifically tailored to pregnancy (Pregnacare?) because too much Vitamin A is not good in pg.

janinlondon · 13/10/2004 11:59

Start taking it even if you are thinking of trying to conceive. We are just analysing blood folate levels in people who have been taking folic acid over different periods of time and finding that it may take a lot longer to build up to the level you need to have a preventive effect against neural tube defects than we previously thought. To be honest the cord is closed usually before you even know you are pregnant so the 12 weeks thing is a bit of a mystery to most of us. Probably just a safety net for those who get their dates wrong.

marthamoo · 13/10/2004 12:45

That's worrying, janinlondon - I didn't know there had to be a pre-conception build up of folates, I thought it was a case of start taking the tablets and everything is OK.

It's something close to my heart because I have a very mild form of Spina Bifida and was misadvised through my first pregnancy (and ds1 has problems with his legs very similar to mine). Then when it was finally acknowledged that ds1 might have a problem I was 7 weeks pg with ds2 (and still - on my GP's advice - on the standard dose of folic acid) and he was born with a cleft above the buttocks (not a sacral dimple, but worrying nontheless).

It's reassuring to know that there are people like you doing the research!

Tommy · 13/10/2004 21:31

Would it be OK if I carried on with my folic acid added food like marmite, bread and cereal until I really wnated to start? Sounds a bit silly I know but, pyschologically, I don't want to start taking it yet. Bizarre since with the first 2 I was very keen! Maybe i don't want DH to get any ideas I've even bought some Pregnacare!

marthamoo · 13/10/2004 21:33

You've bought Pregnacare but you don't want to start taking folic acid?! Ah, the logic of the broody mind

Serious answer is I don't know - from what janinlondon posts it would seem that you really should build up on your folates for while before ttc and I don't know how easy it is to get a high enough dose from folate rich foods.

Tommy · 13/10/2004 21:43

It comes and goes marthamoo! Sometimes I really want another baby , the next day when I've been awake half the night and DSs are being very whiney, I definitely don't! You see my dilemma?! I obviously bought the pregnacare on a good day!

janinlondon · 14/10/2004 11:03

Tommy does it help at all to say that folic acid has other positive effects - like lowering your homocysteine levels and therefore reducing your risk of heart problems? Many men are now taking it for just this reason. Folic acid fortified foods are okay, but you really need the supplements to get your blood folate up to the required amount. Maybe psychologically it would help if you and your DH were both taking it?

marthamoo · 14/10/2004 11:32

So would you recommend that everyone take a folate supplement, jan? I have a strong family history of heart disease so I'd be interested to know what you think.

HelloMama · 14/10/2004 11:49

Pregnacare has the right amount of folic acid in it, so you don't have to take extra folic acid on top of this supplement. It is a good idea to start taking the supplements at least 3 months before you're hoping to conceive though as there are other vitamins and minerals which are also very important for conception, such as zinc and magnesium which can be quite depleted in many women, particularly in pill users (it is thought that the combined pill interacts with the ability of these minerals to bind with the appropriate receptors so levels can be quite low). I would also echo other posters advice that it is a good idea to continue taking a pregnancy supplement throughout pregnancy to make sure that you're in great condition for the birth and breast-feeding!

HelloMama · 14/10/2004 11:52

I think its a good idea for everyone to take a multi supplement as it is so difficult to get the right amount of vitamins and minerals nowadays with our busy lives and because of the processed foods that we eat. Folic acid is good for everyone, pregnant or not!

janinlondon · 14/10/2004 11:53

Well I have everyone in my family taking it Marthamoo, if that tells you anything. Though not at the level that I took in pregnancy - which was 4mg a day, and is usually only recommended in this country for women with previous history of NTDs. I'm afraid I don't think the recommended level for women trying to conceive is anywhere near high enough - but obviously that is my opinion and not everyone will share it.

marthamoo · 15/10/2004 10:33

I take a multi vitamin every day, jan, and I had a look - it has 100% RDA of folic acid in it anyway. I am going to tell my parents they should be talking it too (both had heart attacks before the age of 50). Thanks for all that info though - very interesting.

LittleB · 15/10/2004 11:37

When I started TTC I was told its a good idea to start taking Folic acid three months before you start TTC to let the levels build up. As I'd just come off the pill anyway I started straight away, but it took three months to conceive anyway. I've been taking Sanatogens Pro Natal which has higher levels of Folic Acid than Pregnacare and all the other multi vitamins and minerals, I got it from boots. I've also been told Folic acid is good for Irritabl bowel Sydrome, which I suffer from too and it deos seem to help. Good luck

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