Folic Acid when TTC

[MollyDefoe]

Hi all,

This is my first post on mumsnet: am TTC #1 and very excited! I was wondering if anyone has advice about taking folic acid when ttc. My mother was born with spina bifida, so my partner and I went for genetic counselling, and were told there's no inherited risk (phew!), but that - just to reduce any risk even further - I should take 5mg (instead of usual 400mcg) per day of folic acid for 3 months before ttc, up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. I've been taking it for 1 month now. But for tedious reasons to do with my job contract and maternity pay, it would be good to get pregnant asap. Does anyone have any views on whether it would be ok to start ttc now? Does anyone know how long it takes for the folic acid supplement to be absorbed to optimum levels, prior to ttc? (The genetic counsellor advised taking it for 3 months prior to ttc, but it seems that the advice in the USA is 1 month, and my GP suggested 1 month too.) Any advice gratefully received!

I think that due to previous history maybe that's why he suggested 3 months , although I do think they recommend taking before you start ttc, however if you started trying now there is no guarantee you'd get pregnant on your first cycle, If they have said there is no genetic link then I'd say go for it and start taking folic acid straight away, good luck :-)

Sorry no advice really apart from I'd ask my doctor again just to make sure. I opened this post as I got very excited at your post title and thought it was specifically for me! I wish I'd chosen a less spur of the moment username