Folic Acid- did you take it religiously in pregnancy?

[Supercherry]

I took it daily while TTC, up until about 6wks, then had the kitchen plastered, lost the tub and therefore missed taking the last couple of weeks. I feel really guilty now and keep thinking about Spina bifida. I have started taking it again today. I know you are supposed to take it the first 12wks, but does anyone know which weeks the spine develops? What are the risks? What foods is folic acid found in naturally?

I did take it, still am as I'm ttc. I think it's found naturally in things like dark green leafy veg such as broccoli and spinach, it's also in wholemeal bread. Some cereals are fortified with it too.

As for the guilt thing... you can't go back in time so don't beat yourself up about it. My friend didn't find out she was pg until she was 15 weeks due to having periods despite being pg, and she didn't take any at all as she wasn't actively ttc. Her ds is fine and dandy.

None of our mothers took folic acid when they were pg we don't all have spina bifida.

I would think the fact that you took it while TTC means that your stores would be nice and high, so I really wouldn't worry at all!

No, not last time but then i didn't find out i was pg until i was 10/11 weeks gone with a 'surprise' No3.

But i did with the 2 planned pg's.

I think you took it for the most crucial part, so I wouldn't worry.

My neice has SB, so I did take it religiously for my first pregnancy (they didn't know about it when my sister was pg, she's a lot older than me and had her kids v young) but was very sick with my seoond, and had problems taking them after 8 weeks. I remember thinking I wouldn't worry about it, because the important part was done

Thank you for the replies, I do feel less worried now. Will be really glad when I have had the scan, assuming everything is OK. I worried like this the first time round. I'm sorry that your niece has SB Elibean.

1st baby - started taking it when I found out I was pregnant (5 wks) and took it religiously until 12 wks preg.

2nd baby - took it while ttc, but only up to 6 wks preg, as had hyperemesis from then, so couldn't keep it down.

My brother has spinal bifida (the mild kind so no ill effects) so when pregnant with DS1 I was told to take a double dose and did so religiously.

However, I was much more lax with DS2 and he is fine.

I would think neural tube defects are on the whole pretty rare and given that you have taken it for some of the time you will probably be fine. Just looking at Wikipedia it suggests the first month is the most important for neural tube development and you were taking it then.

Folic acid is included in most flour and cereals as well as leafy green veg and bananas iirc.

Congratulations on your pregnancy too.

didn't take it at all. No history of neural tube defetcs in either side of the families. had a healthy diet, so plenty of folic acid.

Supercherry, I hope you have a wonderful scan and enjoy every minute

My neice was just here, visiting - she's 27 now, beautiful, Oxford grad, scuba diver, compassionate and hard working, generally unstoppable. Still has problems from it sometimes, but she has a great life overall!

Thanks Elibean. It's good to hear that your niece hasn't let it hold her back.