Extra folic acid

[Wards]

I am now 13 weeks and have been taking extra folic acid alongside pregncare vitamins. How long do I need to continue the extra folic acid for?

@Wards why have you been taking EXTRA folic acid? ( if you mean more than the daily recommended amount) did your midwife tell you to do this?

If you've been taking the higher dosage folic acid on prescription due to other medical issues then ask before you stop taking it. I was on hhf higher dosage due to epilepsy & had to confirm taking it throughout pregnancy, although no one ever told me this until I specifically asked.

If you've just been taking the standard folic acid purchased without a prescription then as far as I'm aware you can stop taking them after the first trimester but you could always ask if you're unsure

The midwife and consultant told me to take it due to age and reoccurring miscarriage

Up to 13 weeks. But there is no harm in carrying on. And yes possibly on high dose it's better to keep taking it.

I’m not sure exactly why, but you should probably stop taking a higher dose after the first trimester. As I understand it, there are some less obvious problems which can be associated with too much folic acid later on in pregnancy. I feel like someone mentioned tongue tie as one of them, and I have a very vague feeling that maybe a higher chance of asthma was another?? As I understand it, 400 micrograms as provided by most prenatals is a good amount.

You should definitely ask your doctor about this, though. I’m clearly not an expert!

In your situation, I’d probably be taking the methylated version of folic acid, rather than the synthetic version most prenatals provide. I think that Pregnacare Max provides 50% synthetic and 50% methylfolate, or something.

Sorry to be so vague. Just woken up after a very late night and words are hard!

You can stop at 12weeks. I was on the higher amount and my midwife said nothing would be harmful for baby, it's just not necessary

The tongue tie link is speculation, there's currently nothing clinically relevant to suggest continuing could be harmful. Many other countries advise 800 mcgs.

I always stop at 12/13 weeks because I hate taking tablets.