Folic Acid - Can I Stop Taking it?

[JessicaJones1]

I'm nearly 13 weeks pregnant now and sick of the damn things. Can I stop taking them?

NHS guidance is first 12 weeks BUT I get asked at every check up if I'm still taking mine - I assume because it's twins, but maybe there are other situations where it's good to take for longer too.

If I was you I'd keep going til my 16 week midwife appt and discuss then.

I was told to keep taking it the entire way through pregnancy (not multiple birth). What is it that you're not liking about them OP? I found different brands differ in terms of tablet size etc. Sainsbury's own were both very cheap and very small so not too much of a hassle. I know the multivit ones such as Pregnacare can make some ladies feel more nauseous so if you take these maybe switch to just a folic acid tablet?

I stop talking them at 13 weeks, then went into Pregnacare liquid. It has folic acid in it, but much easier to take and has lots of other vitamins that you need in.

It's been making my nausea so much worse, I've tried 3 or 4 different versions and I'm feeling awful with it. Same happened last time and my midwife told me to stop taking it and to eat foods rich in folic acid if i could stomach it instead. So that's what I'm doing again this time. Luckily leafy greens and oranges are things I can easily stomach at the moment!

My GP also said that whilst it was recommended it's not a requirement so if you are struggling I'd talk to your midwife or GP and see what they suggest.

Mine told me to switch to a plain Vit D tablet.

You can switch to just Vit D now. The neural tube is closed so there's no need.

I stopped at the beginning of the second trimester, midwives haven't asked me about it since. I think it's okay to stop taking it but i think you should keep up with vit D tablets.

Unless medically required you can stop from second trimester. It exacerbated my nausea too

There is also some indication (evidence limited I believe but it is being passed on to qualified NHS HCPs involved in supporting women postnatally) that taking folic acid beyond 12 weeks may be linked to increased risk of tongue tie. Worth considering, but don’t go against your own medical advice

I was told to stop taking the double dose at 12 weeks but to carry on with the single dose. Amazing how much the advice varies!

Midwife told me to keep taking folic acid to 13 weeks, but to take supplements eg. pregnacare for the whole pregnancy X

Pregnacare includes folic acid doesn’t it?

Yes - that's where I'm getting mine from.

Yep you can stop. Only required whilst the neural tube is developing which is first trimester. Keep taking vit d though

I'm 13 weeks and my midwife has told me to stop taking it and move onto pregnancy care multivitamins. Folic acid is on it but it's not needed after 12 weeks

Why are midwives telling women to stop taking folic acid but to take a multivitamin with folic acid in it? It seems completely contradictory

I haven’t taken anything other than vit d since about 13 weeks because the multivitamins and folic acid exacerbated my nausea and I have had a well-balanced and varied diet for most of my life and now during pregnancy so there is very little chance of either me or the baby being nutrient deficient

Well yes there is no evidence it will do any harm. But the lack of logic annoys me! (I am an irritating patient!)

Thanks for your replies. In my first trimester tablets seemed to make my symptoms (nausea ect) worse. I tried Pregnacare Max, Pregnacare Original, then back to my Pregnacare Pre-Conception (which I had been taking for years and love) and Boots Folic Acid with Vit D. They all made me feel worse and whenever I stopped taking them for a night or two I would feel better again!

@jessicajones1 the only reason I’m still taking it is because i bought 3 packs of the boots folic acid+vitD in their 3for2 sale and i’m too tight to buy anymore 😂

Ha ha. I have two pots still! I just can't bear the thought of feeling really sick again. : /

So sorry no sources for this but I was told by my doctor that folic acid is essential in the first trimester but to stop taking it (and not to take a pregnancy multivit that contains it either) from then on as the neural tube will have closed and new research is linking folic acid to tongue tie (which was very rare until folic acid became recommended).

I keep hearing about the link to tongue tie so I'm glad I've stopped taking it now.