Why do you have to take folic acid all through pregnancy?

[110APiccadilly]

I was idly wondering about this. Folic acid is recommended to prevent spina bifida, if I've understood correctly. But that's something that would develop (or hopefully not) very early on, isn't it?

So why is folic acid recommended throughout pregnancy? Is there something else it helps with?

According to the NHS website it's the first 3 months only.
www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/vitamins-supplements-and-nutrition/

I didn't think it was specifically recommended to continue taking it - so strictly speaking after 12 weeks you don't need to but I suppose it's too expensive for drug companies to produce a 0-12 weeks pre natal and then a 13-40 week one so just does the one as there is no harm in taking it entire pregnancy it's benefits are only really seen up to 12 weeks though

NHS advice is to take it until 12 weeks isn't it? Nobody's ever told me to carry on beyond then.

Advised by IVF clinic to take it until 12 weeks

If you have a high BMI sits recommended to take all the way through. My midwife did explain why but I can’t remember

Well, that makes sense.

The odd thing is that I get mine on prescription - and the prescription was given for the whole pregnancy. So I'd just assumed that was how long you're meant to take it for!

Will check with my midwife next time I speak to her now as if I don't need it I'll stop getting it.

That'll be me then. Interesting. Might still ask my midwife why!

Folic acid is also required to prevent anaemia. If you have BMI it can be hard to get enough folate from food, so a supplement is a good idea even after the critical period for spina bifida prevention.