Do i need to take Folic Acid if my prenatal Vitamin includes it

[MrsButtimer31]

Morning,

I'm new to mumsnet and to pregnancy. This is my first and I'm just 6.5 weeks :)

I have been taking 400mg folic acid since before conception, but having seen my doctor last week, I am now also taking a prenatal vitamin (Pregnacare plus). The prenatal vitamin already includes 400mg of folic acid, so do I have to keep taking the folic acid tablet in addition to my prenatal vitamin?

I'm worried about overdosing on folic acid and harming the baby (as I eat a lot of leafy green salad and veg also).

Thanks so much,

XX

You do not need extra folic acid if the pregnancy multi already contains the required amount, and yes, pregnacare does).

However - if you have been specifically told by your doctor to take a higher dose of folic acid then you would need to follow those instructions. Some women who have a family history of spina bifida for example, or sometimes I think women beyond a certain age (not sure on this) are advised to take a higher dose of it. So obviously a higher dose wont hurt, but if you have not been asked to take this, then dont, just take your pregnancy multi.

And remember food sources of folate are important too - brown bread, oranges, orange juice, dark green leafy vegetables etc.

I don't think the frolic acid from veggies is absorbed as much so I wudnt worry
I personally took the 400mg from Zita West and every two days I was taking the Solgar folic acid this way it balanced itself out
So I personally would take a bit more (as it's brilliant for prevention os certain abnormalities such as cleft lip) but not daily
Good luck x

Frolic? I meant folic

My GP put me on 5mg folic acid due to BMI, so I wouldn't think you can have too much. 400mg is perfectly adequate for most women though!

Thanks so much, the doctor didn't advise to take any extra than 400mg, but she also didn't clarify if I could stop taking the folic acid if the vitamin contained 400mg and I didn't think to ask!

I'll stick to the prenatal vitamin for now then :)

x

You absorb the manufactured form much more efficiently.

Taking both will do no harm at all - higher doses are sometimes recommended for those who are overweight/have neural tube abnormalities in the family etc.

The recommended dose is actually higher in some countries anyway :)