Folic acid - how crucial is it to have taken it for a long time before conception?

[hm32]

I eat fortified cereal daily, and take multivits about twice a week (when I remember!). Am I right thinking that I need to be careful not to conceive until I've upped that to daily Folic acid for a while? Eat some leafy stuff and a fair amount of meat (hubby cooks) which I know is also a source of folate.

You need to take a folic acid supplement for about 3 months prior to conception for the best coverage.

If you are already eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, as you've said, you'll be fine. Just take a daily supplement of folic acid rather than a multi-vitamin while you're trying to conceive.

I had a reasonably healthy diet. Didn't find out I was pregnant until 17 weeks. Started the prenatal vitamins then.

All fine :)

Those of us who weren't 'actively' trying to conceive probably didn't bother - or even know about - folic acid. No problems with my birth/child - well actually, there were problems but nothing to do with folic acid !