Extra folic acid, aspirin, extra tests!

[ChocolatePancake]

Hi everybody.
I have just been to my first midwife booking appointment - very exciting! But this is my first pregnancy where I'm overweight and I've been told I need to take an extra 5mg of folic acid - that's TEN normal folic acids! Is this normal? I've also been told that at my 12wk scan I'll be told to start taking a daily dose of aspirin- is this safe? I'm very worried about how it could effect my baby?! I'm in such a panic about it.
I need to be checked for diabetes and such also but I figured this would be the case

[Enwi]

I have heard about the extra folic acid. Do you mind me asking how overweight you are? I'm a bit anxious over whether or not I am taking enough folic acid however I'm only 4 weeks at the mo x

[RavingRoo]

Sounds like the standard treatment for an over 35 BMI.

[ChocolatePancake]

Very overweight unfortunately, BMI is 41. It was slightly lower just a month ago so I need to really watch what I'm eating right now

[Waitingonasmile]

Aspirin won't harm the baby! I have normal bmi but take aspirin due to preeclampsia in previous pregnancy. Loads of pregnant women take it for different reasons and it's perfectly safe!

[Enwi]

Oh it is difficult isn’t it! I’m won’t be needing extra folic acid by the looks of things, but I’m definitely a bit heavier than I wanted to be. I’m at the very top end of being OK with my body, but if I gain any I’ll be devastated. Is it possible to not gain any weight in pregnancy?!

[Misssmoo]

It's 5mg of folic acid bot that on top of a regular dose ☆

[TribbleWithoutACause]

Yes that seems to be pretty standard for those with higher Bmi these days. Not sure about the aspirin though.

[Alexandra07]

I take aspirin and there isn't an issue with the baby, I get 75mg daily. Ask your midwife the reason you have to take and if there are any risks. I am sure she will be able to give you answers tailored to your case.

[Lilypad78]

Congratulations OP. I was also given 5mg of folic acid as my bmi was 39 at booking in, & I've been on aspirin since 12 weeks as I had pre eclampsia in my first pregnancy. Although aspirin wouldn't normally be recommended in a healthy pregnancy, for some conditions like PE the benefits of taking a low dose massively outweighs the low risk of the aspirin. They wouldn't prescribe it otherwise. Xxx

[thecolonelbumminganugget]

My bmi is 32 and I've been prescribed 5mg of folic acid. Haven't seen a midwife yet but practice nurse said it was standard and prescribed it. Pharmacist was baffled by it though and have gave me the third degree about why I was given it felt like saying 'I don't bloody know, I'm an accountant, I assume the nurse knew what she was talking about!' Anyway, I'm taking it.

[ElizabethLemon]

Aargh I was told by a midwife today to take 500mg of folic acid but didn't know I'd have to get it prescribed? I thought I could get it over the counter 😖.

[Misssmoo]

You can't buy 5 just 4 xx

[HandbagFan]

You can buy it -a bottle of 100 was about £11 on amazon.

[MaryShelley1818]

Yep, I took the extra dose Folic Acid from when we started TTC and then the Aspirin from 12wks. All perfectly safe and standard.
I was also told to have daily Clexane injections from 28wks but refused these as I felt strongly that the benefit didn't outweigh risk in my case. (BMI 39)

[TreasureInMyTummy]

Bmi 36. I took the extra folic acid but refused to take aspirin on basis that I move around a lot and physical and didn't feel I had other risks for blood clots. X

[ChocolatePancake]

Thank you for the replies! I understand with the aspirin it's a 'good outweighs the bad' deal, but I haven't been told what the good or bad is! What is the danger of this? I assume I'm taking it due to clotting as it's a blood thinner but other than being overweight I have no other risk factors and my other two pregnancies were healthy and perfect. They seemed very concerned when I told them my sons were 9lb11.5oz and 9lb11oz, but I had tests and wasn't diabetic or anything... I just make big babies I think

[Lilypad78]

I think you will need to confirm the reason they are recommending aspirin & ask them to go through the risks v benefits for you. Are you seeing a consultant at your 12 week appointment, they should go through it with you in more detail. I'm sorry I can only advise on PE as I have no knowledge or experience of using aspirin for other conditions. I just know for me the benefits far outweighed any risk as severe PE can be life threatening to both baby & mother; we were very lucky to catch it in time & that DD1 survived so I was willing to follow any medical advice this time that would reduce the risk of it developing again. The BUMPS website www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/Medicine--pregnancy/ gives information about taking medicine in pregnancy & is recommended by the NHS, if this is any help for you? Xxx

[Mummyme87]

Aspirin in pregnancy will reduce risks of DVt, PE, high blood pressure, IUGR. Would absolutely recommend taking.
5mg folic acid is routine for BMI over 30

[Sassy306]

I was put on aspirin and extra folic acid at 6 weeks pregnant because my bmi is high and I had notchings in my last pregnancy plus pre eclampsia and dd was born at 33 weeks. I did a lot of reading as was shocked about the aspirin but it's perfectly safe. As for watching weight etc I have managed to stay exactly the same weight from 4 weeks to 19 weeks just by clean eating and watching portion sizes and a short walk in the evenings and still enjoy some treats so it's doable if I can anyone can :)