Didn’t take folic acid before conceiving

[Amby99]

My sickness in the first trimester has seemed to subside today and now I’ve started to really panic about the baby. I’m 11 +4. I took folic acid as soon as I found out I was pregnant just over 4 weeks but I didn’t take it before pregnancy because I wasn’t trying to conceive.

I’ve read the NHS statistics that in the 1980s it was 1 in 200 babies had a neural tube defect without folic acid and with folic acid it’s 1 in 400 so I feel like I’ve increased the risk by 50%.

I know I took it after I found out but the damage would’ve already been done because the tube closes before 4 weeks.

im really really worried. I have my 12 week scan next Friday and I wonder if I’ll be able to tell if everything’s ok then? Or is it not until 20 week scan?

I have anxiety anyway and I always seem to be worried about something but it’s just hit me that this could’ve been a preventable thing and I’d never forgive myself if my baby had a neural tube defect.

has anyone else been in this situation?? I’m besides myself with worry. I know there’s nothing I can do about it now and I did all I could once I knew but I wish I was actively trying so I could’ve taken the necessary precautions

I didn't find out until 6 weeks, a few days after a weeks all inclusive holiday where I made FULL use of the bar as I was in a bad place.
I was worried for the next 8 months, but my boy is perfectly healthy and an absolute joy.

That’s so relieving to know I’m so happy for you congratulations! I also drank before I found out I was pregnant (wasn’t on holiday) but it was June and the weather was hot so I did have a few M&S pina colada’s here and there… again so hope I didn’t do any damage.

Many many people don't know they are pregnant until later in their pregnancies. 1 in 200 is very low, and folic acid is added to breads and cereals now. Talk to your midwife and follow whatever they tell you to take, but don't let this spoil your pregnancy

Just read this
https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/folic-acid/common-questions-about-folic-acid/
And it talks about the first 12 weeks. It does say the neural tube starts developing in the first 4 weeks but not that it closes then. It does reassure you that everything's almost certainly fine and that scans will tell you more.

You’re right and I’m sure there’s a good chance it will be fine. I’m just beating myself up because if I had been TTC I would without a doubt take folic acid. I know it will likely be fine it’s just the fact it’s increased by 50% is quite scary. Tbh, I don’t think my mum took folic acid when she was pregnant with me because she seemed surprised when I told her I was taking a supplement and not just having it in my diet… and I turned out completely fine (I think!)

Thank you! I will defo ask questions at my 12 week scan and hopefully they can get a glance if everything’s OK although I don’t think it’s until week 20 where any neural tube defects are clear?

Me three. Also drank while in the first month of pregnancy (I got pregnant on the pill) and thought DS was a bad hangover (morning sickness😱). I was worried to death about it. Midwife pointed out that most people nowadays come by folic acid naturally through their diet (unless they only eat crap) and also look at all the accidental/cryptic pregnancies thoughout history. She also pointed plenty of women get pregnant on holidays and honeymoon and are drinking way more than normal at the time. It’ll be okay. Son is now an healthy and intelligent young man, no-one need ever know about the appletinis…

There are natural sources of vit. B9 or folate, so your diet probably supplied everything you need. Plenty of leafy green veg, beans & peas, bananas, oranges etc.

Thank you so much! That’s so reassuring and I’m so glad your son is healthy. I’m also second guessing now what kind of diet I had before conception… I remember naturally feeling the urge to eat healthy after the time of ovulation and although I’m not a junk eater and not overweight I definitely didn’t eat as much fruit as I should have done before conception. But I did eat lots of meat, fresh food, bread. Now I eat so many vegetables and fruit but I’m just second guessing myself.

Congratulations on being pregnant. There is so much to worry about from the very beginning isn’t there!

I took folic acid for the 4 1/2 years it took to conceive DD and she was born with a neural tube defect anyway. We found out at the 20 week scan as this is when they take a detailed look at baby’s anatomy. Even if this does happen to your little one (which it probably won’t- there are so many healthy surprise pregnancies) life will be a bit different for them, but they will still be fantastic. DD is a healthy, happy, smart, sassy disabled person and a daredevil wheelchair user.

If you have a varied diet, you’ve probably eaten more natural folate than you realise. I hope you feel reassured soon. All the best!

I never took folic acid before pregnancy, i dont eat a lot of folaye foods either, never really bothered with fruit and many veg that had folate in it.
It was only since i found out i was pregnant i started taking it.
Im currently 27 weeks and baby is doing absolutely fine and has no problems.
I used to drink at weekends (a crate of ciders) as i used to enjoy my weekends and wake up with a hangover on a sunday🤣 even when TTC, Id always just try and enjoy my weekends after a long week at work!
I was going to have a drink on the friday i found out. Luckily my OH said do a test and it came back positive and havent drank since.

Again baby is doing absolutely fine, you dont have to worry!😁