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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

5mg folic acid

9 replies

TerriB84 · 01/01/2019 13:24

Hoping somebody can shed some light. I had my booking in appointment with the midwife on Sunday. She noted that I was taking a pregnancy multivitamin, was told that was fine and nothing more was said. Fast forward to this morning and I got a phone call telling me my midwife had requested a 5mg folic acid prescription for me and it was now ready for collection. Nothing was mentioned about this during my booking in and am wondering why I would need the higher dose. I never had to take this with my 1st pregnancy and have no history of NT defects in our families.

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gimmeadoughnut123 · 01/01/2019 13:27

I have to have 5mg of folic acid and they said it's because my BMI is slightly higher than ideal.

gimmeadoughnut123 · 01/01/2019 13:28

The midwife said if you have a higher BMI they do just ask you to take a higher dose. I think she mentioned if it's over 30? I'm 31 (I think) so that would make sense. I wouldn't worry about it though :)

Original poster
TerriB84 · 01/01/2019 13:32

This must be it then as my BMI is also a bit higher than is ideal (30). It’s just odd that the midwife didn’t mention it. It’s annoying as I had a MC in October and my BMI was 28 at the start of that pregnancy (so just on right side of ok). I was fortunate to get pregnant again straight away without a period in between but it’s meant I’m starting out from a higher baseline than is usual for me.

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diamondofdoom · 01/01/2019 13:40

I have this but because of my epilepsy I think

TakingtheLeap · 01/01/2019 13:46

I'm taking 5mg due to a family history of neural tube defects. For those of you also taking a higher dose, what do you do for other vitamins, as you can't (I assume?) also take a standard pregnancy multivitamin with folic acid in it? I'm taking vitamin D as a separate tablet but nothing else...

Rarfy · 01/01/2019 13:50

It will be due to your BMI but i wouldnt worry about the high dose. Apparently your body pees out what you dont need.

My bmi is a lot hugher than yours so i am on it. My nails have never been so strong! And i am 36wks pg after various losses so maybe it does help!

Rarfy · 01/01/2019 13:51

I take pregnacare. Vitamin d and b12 alongside my folic acid. Also prescribed iron at about 30wks.

GOODORBAD · 01/01/2019 13:52

takingtheleap I also took 5mg folic acid for the same reason during my first pregnancy and the GP told me there was no problem to take a normal multivitamin with folic acid in it as well. Your body just gets rid of any excess it's not harmful.

MummEE2 · 01/01/2019 14:05

It won't do any harm at all taking both. I was taking both as I didn't realise Pregnacare vitamins have full folic acid dose included. Happy, healthy baby Smile

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