Hot water bottle and folic acid

[MaggieYork]

Hi all, I just found out today I am 4 weeks pregnant and I am worried because I have been using a hot water bottle on my belly every day to keep warm in the colder months. I have also not been taking folic acid. I am very worried, what are the chances I have caused a NTD for my baby?

At four weeks you’re almost certainly fine!

Start the folic acid, drop the hot water bottles, you’ll be golden. I didn’t know I was pregnant with DC2 until 6 weeks and was smoking and drinking. He’s absolutely perfect now at 2.5. Anxiety is normal to an extent but baby is teeny tiny at this point, loads of people don’t know they’re pregnant until 4 weeks and the BFP arrives. Congrats!

Folic acid just needs to be started as soon as you find out you're pregnant, starting now should be no problem.

Four weeks baby is teeeeeny tiny and well protected by mum so you're unlikely to have done any damage with the hot water bottle.

NTDs are rare, start taking your folic acid today. I'm sure you will be fine 😊