BMI and folic acid - panic!

[Pandachick]

Hi all, I’m 9+6 weeks pregnant with first baby. My BMI is 31 and have just found out today that this means I should have been on higher dose folic acid (5mg) rather than the standard dose I’ve been taking till now (400mcg) - has just thrown me into a panic as I know perfection is impossible but have been trying to do as much ‘right’ as I can! And realise that I’m fairly near to 12 weeks now and hoping there’s no adverse effects from having been on standard dosing only. Will call midwife / GP Monday but panicking meantime and I guess looking for a bit of reassurance…?! Thank you ❤️ x

I am not an expert so definitely worth talking to go/midwife but as you are only slightly over BMI 30 I'm sure taking the lower dose won't have done any harm! I have been reading the book 'your no guilt pregnancy plan' and just yesterday read a part that said even if you don't take folic acid at all (eg didn't realise you are pregnant) the risk of a problem from it is very small. Maybe try and take the higher dose for the remainder but I would try not to panic!

Also I am almost 10 weeks, won't even get to see a midwife until after 12 weeks and the only info they have given me about supplements is to take the standard level of folic acid and vit D! There was no mention about a different level depending on BMI. I'm sure if it was really important it would have been on the letter.

Hi there. I had my booking appointment over the phone the other day and asked my midwife about this. I mentioned my concerns about it since my bmi is 30.1 she said not to worry at all. They’d really only be concerned if bmi is over 35. I had already bought some plain folic acid at boots to top up and take extra on top of my multivitamins but I haven’t taken the extra dose everyday. Midwife didn’t really seem to think it was a big deal. I think this seems to be rather new advice, but 5 mg is rather a high dose which I’ve read can mask a vitamin B deficiency. So I’m not sure the benefits of taking a 5 mg dose are warranted unless advised by a dr/midwife or BMI is over 35. Hope that helps. But if it makes you feel better, it’s doesn’t cost much to buy folic acid and take 1 or two extra a day if it puts your mind at ease.

I have a BMI of 40 and am consultant led and both midwife and consultant didn’t advise me to take the higher dose so don’t panic!

Op it is important that you take the higher dose. IT's recommended by the department of health.

Start from now?

Im on the opposite scale. I have folate deficiency and all I have is 5mg tablets.
I don't even know whats recommended in this situation.

I only found out I was pregnant last weds so I haven't really processes it all much.
However, day off work tomorrow so I'll message the docs then and ask.

As others have said, try not to panic. Lots of food is fortified with folic acid too, so you don’t have to rely 100% on the supplement to provide all the required dose. Definitely get proper advice from your midwife, but I’m sure you and baby will be absolutely fine ☺️