TTC BMI over 30 - higher folic acid dose?

[melissa112]

Hi all

Me and my partner are hoping to TTC baby number 2. However my BMI is just over 30 (30.5). I've read over 30 I should be taking a higher 5mg dose of folic acid due to this.

Has anyone else done this or is anyone taking a higher dose? I'm wondering whether to hold off TTC until my BMI is a bit lower and just keep taking the usual dose of folic acid in the meantime.

Does anyone have any advice at all please?

Yes I've taken prescription 5mg folic acid daily in both pregnancies and when TTC due to BMI.
Obviously losing weight would be great but can't think of any reason why you wouldn't take the recommended dosage in the meantime when it's so important.

Yes I know how important it is, I'm taking the recommended dosage anyway now (Pregnacare conception).

I just was wondering if others get a prescription for the higher dose while trying to conceive. By my next ovulation I could be below 30 so not sure if I would take the 5mg now if I could get a prescription then switch to the normal dose once my BMI is below 30.

My question was more whether I should stop or not start TTC with a BMI of 30.5. Sorry, not sure i was clear.

I've TTC 10yrs. Weight has mainly been in overweight catergory, but crept up after the 2nd MC. I then lost 10kg to qualify for IVF. Despite my BMI being 28 then, the specialist said I should have been on 5mg folic acid already! She was very suprised that I'd already seen my GP and 2, seperate fertility specialist and it was the 1st I'd ever been told that. I'd always read that a higher dose was for those with a history of a neural tube disorder, like spina bifida.

You can get 5mg folic acid via a script or online. A Uk supplier and via your pharmacy is obvioulsy the better option.

Being a healthier weight before TTC is obviously ideal, but it depends on your age, how long TTC and other factors. At a push, you can obvioulsy just take more of the regular dose to make it up to 5mg. I had to do this when stuck during lockdown last year, but speak to your pharmacist if unsure of dosing.

Spring is coming, days longer and TTC might be the push to get some weight off. Best of luck x

Hi melissa,

I asked a midwife this very question as my BMI is over 30 .. she said I don’t need to take more than the recommended 400mcg. My fertility specialist also hasn’t mentioned the need to increase from 400mcg.

I too have read 5mg can be given if high BMI, but the NHS doesn’t list this as one of the reasons on their pregnancy vitamins page ..

www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/vitamins-supplements-and-nutrition/

I believe a dose of 5mg would need to be prescribed by a doctor, and I’m guessing on a case-by-case basis?

I’m taking a supplement for PCOS which contains 400mcg and Vitamin B complex containing 200mcg, which is an amount I feel comfortable with based on the information I’ve gathered.

Maybe seek advice from your GP before making any decisions? Good luck

Elouera .. it’s interesting that the IVF specialist said you should have been taking 5mg but it hadn’t been mentioned before that point. My specialist hasn’t mentioned taking a higher dose, but it will be a question I ask in my next consultation ..

I’ve just spotted an NHS leaflet online from Oxford University Hospitals that recommends taking 5mg if BMI is over 30, although the NHS main website doesn’t seem to mention this?

www.ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/leaflets/files/11027Pbmi.pdf

I’ll see what my specialist says. Inconsistent information is so frustrating

I've found this which was linked on the NHS website on the 'overweight and pregnancy ' page

www.rcog.org.uk/en/patients/patient-leaflets/being-overweight-pregnancy-after-birth/

It does recommend a higher dose of 5mg if BMI is above 30. I've weighed myself this morning and BMI is 30.2 so just tipping over.

I've messaged the GP to ask if they can give me a prescription. Im CD4 so thinking I will not start TTC this month and just try and get a few pounds off and try next month with hopefully a BMI below 30 and go from there.

I over think things in general so its worrying me 😔