16 weeks, overweight - do i keep needing 5mg of folic acid

[Bells3032]

I have a prescription for high dose folic acid cos of my BMI. However, doc is only giving me 4 weeks at a time and not on repeat. so every time i want new i have to call up, spend 45 mins on hold and order again. Then spend £9 for 4 weeks supply.

I'm 16 weeks now. do you think i can just go back to normal folic acid now?

I’m 35 weeks now and have taken 5mg folic acid since ttc (due to my bmi).

However I buy mine on Amazon and have only had to buy 2 tubs. I still have enough left from the second tub to last until I deliver.

Much cheaper than getting it on prescription.

I was taking 5mg folic acid from 3 months before starting TTC as I have type 1 diabetes. My consultant said it needs to be taken until 12 weeks. I stopped taking it at 12+1. I'm 17 weeks now and no one has mentioned it since the first trimester.

NHS website also recommends taking folic acid (either 400 micrograms or 5mg) til 12 weeks. www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/vitamins-supplements-and-nutrition/

I’m 20 weeks with a high BMI, I was told to keep taking it along with Vit D. Have you not your Maternity exemption certificate? My GP gives me 3 months worth each go.

No idea about the folic acid but you don't need to pay for prescriptions if you are pregnant. You need to ask your gp for a maternity exemption certificate - also gives you free dentistry. It lasts until your child turns 1.

Nope no exemption cert yet. have my first midwife appt this thurs. Have only spoken to GP to say I am pregnant and ask for the folic acid prescription (i wouldn't of even know i needed high dose if not for MNs). it's taking forever to get through to GP these days and it annoys me they haven't put me on repeat or anything

Yes, also what @rosesandsalvia said. You shouldn’t be paying for prescriptions anyway now that you’re pregnant.

Because I was taking the 5mg folic acid while ttc, that’s why i just continued buying it myself. But at the price I pay I don’t mind. Like I said 2 tubs have lasted me until now and will fit the remainder of the pregnancy.

I was also told to keep taking it along with vitamin d (which I also take a higher dose of).

Also I’ve never needed to show my exemption certificate when picking up prescriptions during the pregnancy.

When they ask if I pay I just say no and tick the box for maternity exemption.

I’m at the end of my pregnancy now and was taking higher folic acid, vitamin d and aspirin. I didn’t even realise the doctor / midwife had set up a bloody prescription for it until I checked the nhs app a few weeks ago. I just bought it online and doubled dropped (mw said this was fine btw).

I was taking the higher dose until 12 weeks and was told I could go back to using pregnacare from 12 weeks onwards