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Low folate pre-pregnancy, now 11 weeks and haven't taken folic acid - spina bifida highly likely? Panicking

3 replies

Ellisro · 08/02/2022 14:05

My grandmother had a daughter with spina bifida who passed away after birth. I had low folate on a blood test when being checked for anaemia last year, was prescribed daily 5mg of folic acid. I have remembered some days, but forgotten more. I'm now 11 weeks pregnant and feeling like an absolute idiot. I would forget completely then remember and of missed a week. I feel like I've almost guaranteed spina bifida through my own negligence. I've been distracted with hg, a toddler, work etc. Not that it's any excuse for me possibly putting my baby at huge risk. I'm panicking so much - for my folate to be so low pre pregnancy and to be so rubbish taking my medicine, it's going to happen isn't it? The baby is highly likely to have spina bifida?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Lacedwithgrace · 08/02/2022 14:15

Lots of people have undetected low folate before and during pregnancy and go on to have healthy babies, start taking it regularly from now on and speak to your midwife/gp about getting a test and reassuring you.

Blxo94 · 08/02/2022 14:41

Foliate is most important in the very beginning. By 7 weeks your babies neural tube is formed and closed. If you have missed days after this then I wouldn't be concerned! I have had 2 babies with anencephaly (another neural tube defect) so I know how worrying it can be. I would say try not stress. Missing a few days most likely hasn't done any damage as the foliate would have been built up enough to have been OK on days you missed ❤️

Mumtobe1994 · 24/08/2022 16:29

How did you get on @Ellisro? have you had baby now?

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