Didn’t take Folic Acid

[Mommyx3]

I found I was pregnant at 17weeks. It was a total surprise as I’d thought it couldn’t happen naturally.

As I have PCOS and had lots of interventions to become pregnant with my 2DC I didn’t think I needed to be taking folic acid as I thought I couldn’t get pregnant naturally.

However, I’m so happy that I am. I’m now 24 weeks pregnant and worried that I didn’t take folic acid prior to conception as I did previously and in early pregnancy.

I didn’t bother at 17 weeks as I thought it was too late. Now I’ve read something saying there’s links to women not taking folic acid and autism. I’ve also found out it’s a boy, this has me more worried as it’s more prevalent in boys.

Has anyone not taken any folic acid at all and had healthy babies? I’m just feeling so bad about it all and working myself silly.

Folic acid protects against neural tube defects and ideally you should take it pre conception.
Most women don't and go on to have a healthy pregnancy and baby so the chances are everything will be fine.
Have you had an appointment with your midwife?
Congratulations!

There is absolutely no point worrying about it now, it won’t help!

You will have had some folic acid from your diet, so while a supplement helps it is not the only source. Your baby is almost certainly fine

I’ve met with both the consultant and MW now and neither mentioned it but I suspect this was because they knew it was unplanned and I was so far gone into the pregnancy by the time I met with them and found out.

I guess I just need to stop googling it!

Remember that folic acid is also in food so if you have a varied diet it's likely that you were getting enough even without supplements. Folic acid is found in

•	Spinach, kale, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli
•	Beans and legumes (e.g. peas, blackeye beans)
•	Yeast and beef extracts
•	Oranges and orange juice
•	Wheat bran and other whole grain foods
•	Poultry, pork, shellfish and liver
•	Fortified foods (e.g. some brands of breakfast cereals – check the label)

I hardly took any folic acid during my pregnancy and was so sick I hardly ate anything either. Baby popped out all fine and healthy.