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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

5mg Folic Acid

13 replies

midori1999 · 07/03/2013 17:51

Can you buy this over the counter and do I really need it anyway? My midwife suggested it as I had Gestational Diabetes in my last pregnancy and my sugars are already high this time at 8 weeks. I'm having the GTT on Monday. The midwife was going to sort out a presciption but forgot, but if I can buy it over the counter there's no need to bother her.

OP posts:

HorraceTheOtter · 07/03/2013 17:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

scissy · 07/03/2013 17:57

It's prescription only I'm afraid but your gp will be able to prescribe it for you

Original poster

midori1999 · 07/03/2013 18:00

Ah, ok, thanks! Do you think it could wait until Monday, as have a hospital appointment tomorrow. I'm already 8 weeks now. I'm assuming the risk is small. Well, hoping.

OP posts:

ExpatAl · 07/03/2013 18:07

Check how much is in your prenatal. Mine has 6mg. Can I ask why you should have more folic acid because of GD? I'm at high risk of getting it so am interested.

FoofFighter · 07/03/2013 18:15

But, it's nothing to do with GD as far as I know? Up in Scotland it's pushed for overweight women.

expatAl, which prenatal vits are you taking? All I have seen are the 400 whatever the unit is's [baby brain]

Original poster

midori1999 · 07/03/2013 18:17

Yes, there's 400miu in my prenatals.

I think she suggested it because type 2 diabetics should have the higher dose folic acid as they are more at risk of certain birth defects. Although I'm not type 2, I think it's unusual for GD to start so early and as my blood sugars are a bit high maybe she was being cautious?

OP posts:

ExpatAl · 07/03/2013 18:42

Wow. I knew there were risks with GD but didn't know defects are one of them. I'm taking Omnibionta www.omnibiontapronatal.be/fr/vitamines/quel-produit-choisir/omnibionta-pronatal
Have just noticed it doesn't contain calcium which has surprised me.

Original poster

midori1999 · 07/03/2013 18:45

I don't think birth defects are usually associated with GD as opposed to type 1 & 2, because sugars aren't usually high enough to cause a problem and GD doesn't usually occur until after the first trimester. I think my midwife is just being cautious.

OP posts:

RueDeWakening · 07/03/2013 18:48

T1 and T2 mothers are at higher risk of birth defects, specifically Spina Bifida. The 5mg folic acid helps prevent them but its prescription only - you could try phoning and asking to speak to your doctors secretary, explain to her that the midwife forgot to write your prescription , and see if they'll do it for you.

ExpatAl · 07/03/2013 18:50

Yes, I'm sure she was just being cautious but that's good. You want someone to cover everything. Or maybe that's just paranoid me.

FoofFighter · 07/03/2013 19:30

that's not 6mg ExpatAl thats 600miu(s)

ExpatAl · 07/03/2013 19:41

Haha . I was just thinking that surely they wouldn't put 6mg in and was looking at the box. Tis 0.6mg, thickie. 5 mg is a massive dose then. Really really slow today. Can I blame baby brain?

Havingkittens · 07/03/2013 19:45

You can only get it on prescription but in the meantime just take enough of the highest dose you can get - usually 200 microgrammes to make up 5mg. Get the smallest ones you can find as that's about 25 tablets to take all at once! If you are at risk of birth defects now is the crucial time as the spinal column is fully formed at 12 weeks, that's why you only have to take Folic Acid until then (and that's why they do the Nuchal Scan then too).

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