Higher dose of folic acid - not been taking it

[Babycakes1989]

Hi ladies. I’m 19 weeks 3 days. At my last midwife appt she looked at my notes and said I take it you have been taking the higher dose of folic acid 5mg as advised. Which I hadn’t because nobody had verbally told me at my booking appointment which was a little rushed as they were training a student. Anyway had a few issues gone back and forth trying to get hold of some through doctors but collecting it today. I’m now worried that I’ve not been taking it and nearly half way there 😢 it’s because my Bmi is well over 30 that I need it. I’m suffering quite badly from anxiety due to a previous traumatic mmc and my diets not been great because of it. I’m very nervous about my 20 week scan Friday now because of this. Any advice? xx

If you ate chicken / eggs / dairy / steamed veg and took a prenatal regularly in the run up to pregnancy then chances are you had enough folate /folic acid to form an adequate neural tube at 3 weeks. It’s too late after 3 weeks to affect a neural tube defect which is why nutrition prior to pregnancy is so important.

So in a nutshell don’t stress. You probably got enough folate.

Ah okay thank you ❤️ I have been tAking the normal dose too

I took the higher dose in my last pregnancy, but no one mentioned it for my current one, so I haven't taken it. I wouldn't worry too much.

I was also prescribed higher dose folic acid and vitamin D.
The folic acid was only for the first 12 weeks. Considering generally the checking in appointment doesn't happen until at least 8 weeks sometimes later there's only a very small window where it applies really. So I wouldn't worry.

Might be worth checking the vitamin D with your midwife as for me that was one I've been told to take throughout.

Pregnancy can be a very anxious time

I have been taking vitamin D throughout so that’s good! Thank you - I know it’s so worrying!

I was prescribed the higher dose due to previous miscarriages and told to only take for the first 12 weeks as this is when all vital organs are formed so if your 12 week scan went well all should be fine. As for being anxious for your 20 week scan just let them know when you go in and they really help to calm you down and explain everything as they go along 😊 good luck for Friday x

I never took folic acid through my 2 pregnancies i just changed my diet as the tablets didn't agree with me. I wouldn't worry too much about it

If it's because of a high BMI maybe ask if you are meant to take 75mg aspirin aswell. I have to take vitamin D, 5mg folic acid and 75mg aspirin everyday throughout my pregnancy

I was a little late finding out I was pregnant and this little one was a bit of a surprise so I wasn’t taking anything! Had my 20 week scan and everything is fine so please don’t worry!

Thank you so much ladies 😘 I’m going to be a trembling mess on that scanning bed fri day but I know I’m not the only one that must get nervous! I have been taking aspirin as they advised as well. And my 12 week scan did go well. Thanks again

You only need the higher dose from 3 months before ttc to 12 weeks.

I didn't knowi was pregnant for first 17 weeks of pregnancy I was prescribed extra folic acid as oover weight and obviously missed alot. My baby is growing and heartbeat is healthy all is good

Hope your scan goes well today let us know how you got on 😊 x

Hello, the higher dose is prescribed On a theoretical basis. There is actually no good evidence that it is any better than the standard dose at preventing neural tube defects.

Oh and yes, the neural tube is formed by 8 weeks so major NTDs are often spotted at the 12 week scan