Folic acid - can I stop now?

[Burmama]

Pretty straightforward question. I am over 14w. Do I still need to be taking folic acid?

No but you still need at least Vit D.

Thanks stargirl I'm also taking pregnacare which has vit D so that should be enough?

Yup. I'm sure Pregnacare has folic acid though.

All the 'pregnacares' (i.e. Seven Seas, Tesco own version etc') have all the key things you need in a more than 100% dose. In fact when I asked my MW what to take she said it's usually cheaper and easier to go with the one pill throughout, it has everything you need- no need for vit B, folic, vit D, it is all in one plus iron and minerals.
You should take them with something to eat for max absorption.

Thanks all! That's clear, so I will stop with folic acid pills and just keep taking my pregnacare.

Pregnacare makes me nauseous, so be aware of that. I only realised when I forgot them for a few days and felt normal for the first time in months! Not sure why, but worth experimenting with a few and you may find some work better for you than others.

Pregnacare gave me a really upset stomach. Tell your midwife and they'll give you free folic acid and vitD pills. Yay! :)

I found Pregnacare made me feel sick, but Sanatogen (comes in a jar unlike most) did not and contained the same key vitamins. Weird!

These ones - they didn't constipate me or make me feel sick, and are smaller.
On the side of the pack (of course I checked) they have everything you need:
www.sanatogenpregnancy.co.uk/en/sanatogen-pregnancy-range/sanatogen-mum-to-be/

I took the santogen ones until about 14 weeks, then my midwife told me I could get free vitamin d, c and folic acid from my pharmacy, so I switched to that. Might be worth seeing if that scheme is running near you. For me it's free for pregnant and breast feeding mothers.

I have no idea why the midwife would recommend taking folic acid after 14 weeks

Folic Acid (in combination with other B vits- which is why I always took it as part of a complex or multi-vit) helps with the absorption of minerals and can help prevent anemia/help calcium absorption and there is some evidence to suggest it lowers the risk/symptoms of some diabetes.
I knew this before I was pregnant, as had been taking B vits when I was on iron supplements (alongside vit C and plenty of sun for vit D).

Given that anemia and diabetes are issues that crop up in later pregnancy it may be the function of folic acid shifts from protecting the child to supporting the mum? But basically it would just be like advising someone who is prone to mild anemia/low calcium to take their iron/calcium, vit C, vit B and get a few hours of sunshine a week... just pregnant women are more prone.

The most important use of folic acid, is the prevention of neural tube defects (such as spina bifida).

These are formed by 12 weeks, which is why folic acid is so important in early pregnancy, and indeed when trying to conceive.

With DD1 I was taking Epilim (sodium valproate), which is one of the most dangerous drugs to take in early pregnancy, highly teratogenic. So much so, that some doctors advocate abortion.

I was stopped immediately, and placed on 5mg of folic acid for three months (considering how much (400mcg) is in prenatal supplements, you can see I was on a mega dose.

I was told it was not necessary after three months, as the neural tubes were formed, and as I had more reason to take it than an average pregnant woman, you'd think they'd have continued if it were in anyway helpful.

That said I agree with you, as I took ordinary pre-natal tablets, I still developed anaemia though

I was the other way round- I was taking typical 'prenatal' vitamins before I was pregnant for my own health. So I just carried on (bar of course vitamin A!) when I conceived.