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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Folic acid

17 replies

Amethyst324 · 19/09/2018 16:01

After some advice please...
I am 8 weeks pregnant and saw the GP yesterday she has recommended that I take 5mg of folic acid as well as pregnacare original 400ug .. Has anyone else been advised this?
Can you take to much folic acid?
I think its because I have PCOS and have high BMI that maybe I need extra? I'm just worried about taking to much?

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Celebelly · 19/09/2018 16:04

It's recommended for high BMI. There's no risk in taking it.

SharedLife · 19/09/2018 16:11

Its water soluble so any extra that your body doesn't need will pass in your urine. It only helps to take it.
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Original poster

Amethyst324 · 19/09/2018 16:19

Thank you.
It seems to be more of a positive rather than negative based on what I have read.. but there is so much info out there its hard to know what to believe?
Shall I take together or separate ?
Do you think I will have to take both throughout the pregnancy?
I have had a blood test today.. it did say folate profile on form.. will that tell you if you are low ?

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wimbler · 19/09/2018 16:34

I was told by my midwife that I didn't need to take folic acid after the first trimester. I am low risk and am a normal weight so definitely speak to your midwife about it.
I was told the only supplement I needed to take was a daily dose of vitamin d. My midwife said that supplements like pregnacare etc are a waste of money and as long as you eat a balanced diet, you should get everything you need. If you are anaemic you may need to take iron tablets but I haven't been taking pregnacare since around 15 weeks and all my bloods are fine.

Merrydoula · 19/09/2018 16:59

Yes recommended for people with high BMI, was told to take it but didn't as I felt taking the normal dose would suffice, but everyone is different, do your research and look into it then make a decision

Angelmiracle · 19/09/2018 17:04

I'm just taking 5mg folic acid and vit D on their own.

R7589 · 19/09/2018 17:30

I was also advised to take 5mg plus the prenatal vitamins that included folic acid.
I asked about taking them at same time and my MW stated whatever I found easiest, so I took both at same time as I remembered.
She also advised me to stop the 5mg after 12 weeks which I did. She still reminds me every appointment about no longer needing to take the higher dose and I'm now 27 weeks and baby is healthy and kicking away.

Original poster

Amethyst324 · 19/09/2018 20:44

Thanks everyone.
I have first midwife appointment in a few weeks so I will ask then.
I think I will go ahead with both for now as its a worry that I'm not getting enough . Based on what I have read the 5mg and 400ug together isn't considered a high dose, but there is some information suggesting that to much folic acid isn't necessarily good for you either ?
I thought I had suffered a miscarriage last week and I had an early scan .. The consultant at hospital was happy I was taking pregnacare and didn't mention taking extra folic acid but the GP at the surgery yesterday has told me to take both .
Its just hard to make the choice knowing it might not be the right one.
I have a son with special needs and I only took pregnacare during that pregnancy, but that was 12 years ago and I did not have high BMI then.
Guess I can only go with the fact that your body wont absorb it if you don't need it?

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AussieMum28 · 19/09/2018 22:07

I was given the same! Doctor won't give you anything to harm you or the baby so perfectly safe x

LittleDoveLove · 19/09/2018 22:31

Hello, I'm 35 and I've been told to keep taking the pregnancy tablets (I'm using pregnacare original but can use any brand) right through my pregnancy. I haven't been told to take anything in addition to those.

SuperVeggie · 19/09/2018 22:34

It is better to take it and not need it, than to not take it and turn out that you actually did need it, if that makes sense. I was also prescribed high dose as I'm coeliac but I don't have any deficiencies, I was just told by the GP to take it based on my diagnosis. I don't think I actually needed it but I took it anyway because there is no negative consequence of taking too much, your body will just naturally excrete the excess through your wee. However if you don't get enough folic acid then you have a higher risk of baby having spina bifida. Therefore it is really an easy decision IMO, you can't do any harm by taking the high dose but you could do harm by not taking it.

SuperVeggie · 19/09/2018 22:36

Oh and I was also told to stop taking the 5mg tablet after the first trimester but to continue with normal pregnancy supplement to ensure I got enough vit D and iron (I don't buy pregnacare, I buy Asda own brand which is 1/3 of the price and has exactly the same ingredients! Recommended by my close friend who is also a midwife, she says don't pay extra just for the brand name it's no different!)

Original poster

Amethyst324 · 20/09/2018 16:43

One of the main concerns that I've read is high dose of folic acid could mask signs of lacking in other vitamins particularly b12 which is important for baby as effects would be irreversible . If you add extra folic just through diet alone throughout the day as well as higher dose could it all be to much.. the annoying part is the conflicting information... not all midwives agree you should take both and some consultants just recommend pregnacare . I asked Dr about your body not absorbing all folic acid if not needed and she confirmed this but said that wouldn't be the case for other vitamins and you wouldn't know if you were lacking in them? She said I could switch to 10 mcg vitamin d instead of pregnacare if preferred but what about b12 and iron.. am I at risk of lacking in that?
There's so much information now I just don't know what to go with? I only took pregnacare 12 years ago with twins .. I expect guidelines to change but there not always right ..... my Dr made me feel like an irrational idiot that was wasting her time questioning it ? As I'm sure some of you think I'm mad.. but we have been trying for this baby since 2015 and the threat of miscarriage the other week has left me so worried about getting it all wrong..

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LittleDoveLove · 21/09/2018 06:17

Hi @Amethyst324 you could ring the midwife and ask? I rang before mine to ask a question about some of the tests, they will tell you then you won't be worrying until your appointment :)

SuperVeggie · 21/09/2018 07:11

Sorry OP didn’t mean to make you feel like you’re being silly. I can understand it’s hard not to worry about everything. I agree maybe call your midwife. But the thing about folic acid masking vitamin deficiencies is not really a concern unless you have some specific reason to believe you would be deficient in other key nutrients. If you are taking a multi vitamin this is very unlikely. Unless you have disorders that prevent absorption of nutrients (I have coeliac) then if you’re taking your vitamins and eating well you shouldn’t be deficient in anything else.

SuperVeggie · 21/09/2018 07:14

Also I think if you don’t know what to do then always safest to go with Doctors advice rather than stuff you have read or been told online. They are medically trained and know how to interpret all the guidelines and information. Good luck hope things go well for you x

Original poster

Amethyst324 · 21/09/2018 13:21

Not at all , please don't apologise , you haven't said anything wrong... I know I'm being silly. ... I'm over sensitive because my son has special needs and I just really pray things are different this time. I felt the doctor was a little dismissive but I understand they don't like to be questioned.. I wasn't sure if I should ring midwife because of over reacting but your right I will look now if there's a number to call for advice.... Thanks everyone .. you have been very helpful x

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