How long before TTC did you start taking folic acid?

[Firstimemam]

Hi all,

I've been taking it for about 3 weeks and I'm due my period today & wanted to start trying to conceive this cycle. Now I've read online I should be taking it 3 -6 months before.

Should I wait another two months?

I honestly feel like every single time there is a post, people tend to slate you each time. If you've got nothing nice or constructive to say, please move on. I really don't want to read nasty things today.

Make sure your combined vitamin is pregnancy And conception suitable, as others have said avoid vitamin A. The nhs website has a clear guide on supplements.

I started a month before we started TTC each time. So ended up on it for about 3 months before getting pregnant with DD, 8 months with DS and just a month with this current pregnancy as got pregnant quicker than expected. I was a bit worried about only having been on it a month (which sounds stupid as we were tying so I knew it could happen, but didn’t expect it to!), but am 22 weeks now and everything is fine. Good luck OP!

I started taking it at the same time as starting TTC, I wasn't aware of the six month guidance. I conceived about 6-7 weeks after that.

Vitamin A is important in pregnancy, as long as it's the beta carotene version and not the retinol form. Apparently western women are more likely to be deficient in vitamin A than overdosing, I presume due to avoiding it.

Anyway, 6 months of folic acid before trying is definitely overkill. As plenty of PPs have mentioned, it's available in many foods. Go forth and bonk!

@Pomegranateporridge I don't know what the old one was, but the new name is excellent.

Hi , I'm new to Mums Net. I'm T1 diabetic and planning / hoping for our third child so Dr prescribed the higher dose of folic acid a couple of weeks ago. But my first two were completely unplanned surprises , so hadn't taken any folic acid until I was about 5 weeks gone, and all went really well so I wouldn't worry too much.
I'm now four days late, but all tests are negative.. Does anyone know if it's possible for folic acid to interfere with your cycle? Xx

Dr Google suggests that it can elongate your cycle, yes, but generally only with beneficial results. Interesting, I didn't know that. Good luck, @CedarFox!