Extra folic acid, aspirin, extra tests!

[ChocolatePancake]

Hi everybody.
I have just been to my first midwife booking appointment - very exciting! But this is my first pregnancy where I'm overweight and I've been told I need to take an extra 5mg of folic acid - that's TEN normal folic acids! Is this normal? I've also been told that at my 12wk scan I'll be told to start taking a daily dose of aspirin- is this safe? I'm very worried about how it could effect my baby?! I'm in such a panic about it.
I need to be checked for diabetes and such also but I figured this would be the case

I have heard about the extra folic acid. Do you mind me asking how overweight you are? I'm a bit anxious over whether or not I am taking enough folic acid however I'm only 4 weeks at the mo x

Sounds like the standard treatment for an over 35 BMI.

Very overweight unfortunately, BMI is 41. It was slightly lower just a month ago so I need to really watch what I'm eating right now

Aspirin won't harm the baby! I have normal bmi but take aspirin due to preeclampsia in previous pregnancy. Loads of pregnant women take it for different reasons and it's perfectly safe!

Oh it is difficult isn’t it! I’m won’t be needing extra folic acid by the looks of things, but I’m definitely a bit heavier than I wanted to be. I’m at the very top end of being OK with my body, but if I gain any I’ll be devastated. Is it possible to not gain any weight in pregnancy?!

It's 5mg of folic acid bot that on top of a regular dose ☆

Yes that seems to be pretty standard for those with higher Bmi these days. Not sure about the aspirin though.

I take aspirin and there isn't an issue with the baby, I get 75mg daily. Ask your midwife the reason you have to take and if there are any risks. I am sure she will be able to give you answers tailored to your case.

Congratulations OP. I was also given 5mg of folic acid as my bmi was 39 at booking in, & I've been on aspirin since 12 weeks as I had pre eclampsia in my first pregnancy. Although aspirin wouldn't normally be recommended in a healthy pregnancy, for some conditions like PE the benefits of taking a low dose massively outweighs the low risk of the aspirin. They wouldn't prescribe it otherwise. Xxx

My bmi is 32 and I've been prescribed 5mg of folic acid. Haven't seen a midwife yet but practice nurse said it was standard and prescribed it. Pharmacist was baffled by it though and have gave me the third degree about why I was given it felt like saying 'I don't bloody know, I'm an accountant, I assume the nurse knew what she was talking about!' Anyway, I'm taking it.

Aargh I was told by a midwife today to take 500mg of folic acid but didn't know I'd have to get it prescribed? I thought I could get it over the counter 😖.

You can't buy 5 just 4 xx

You can buy it -a bottle of 100 was about £11 on amazon.

Yep, I took the extra dose Folic Acid from when we started TTC and then the Aspirin from 12wks. All perfectly safe and standard.
I was also told to have daily Clexane injections from 28wks but refused these as I felt strongly that the benefit didn't outweigh risk in my case. (BMI 39)

Bmi 36. I took the extra folic acid but refused to take aspirin on basis that I move around a lot and physical and didn't feel I had other risks for blood clots. X

Thank you for the replies! I understand with the aspirin it's a 'good outweighs the bad' deal, but I haven't been told what the good or bad is! What is the danger of this? I assume I'm taking it due to clotting as it's a blood thinner but other than being overweight I have no other risk factors and my other two pregnancies were healthy and perfect. They seemed very concerned when I told them my sons were 9lb11.5oz and 9lb11oz, but I had tests and wasn't diabetic or anything... I just make big babies I think

I think you will need to confirm the reason they are recommending aspirin & ask them to go through the risks v benefits for you. Are you seeing a consultant at your 12 week appointment, they should go through it with you in more detail. I'm sorry I can only advise on PE as I have no knowledge or experience of using aspirin for other conditions. I just know for me the benefits far outweighed any risk as severe PE can be life threatening to both baby & mother; we were very lucky to catch it in time & that DD1 survived so I was willing to follow any medical advice this time that would reduce the risk of it developing again. The BUMPS website www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/Medicine--pregnancy/ gives information about taking medicine in pregnancy & is recommended by the NHS, if this is any help for you? Xxx

Aspirin in pregnancy will reduce risks of DVt, PE, high blood pressure, IUGR. Would absolutely recommend taking.
5mg folic acid is routine for BMI over 30

I was put on aspirin and extra folic acid at 6 weeks pregnant because my bmi is high and I had notchings in my last pregnancy plus pre eclampsia and dd was born at 33 weeks. I did a lot of reading as was shocked about the aspirin but it's perfectly safe. As for watching weight etc I have managed to stay exactly the same weight from 4 weeks to 19 weeks just by clean eating and watching portion sizes and a short walk in the evenings and still enjoy some treats so it's doable if I can anyone can :)