Missing folic acid due to nausea - worried!

[FlirtyThirty]

Hi ladies,

I'm very aware of the importance of taking folic acid...but some days I am simply not able to swallow the tablet due to my morning sickness and nausea. The very idea of the tablet makes me wretch. I reckon I'm missing on average 2-3 tablets a week. I am not making up for this with a wonderful diet either as I'm right off most food too. I ate so well before being PG and things seemt to be going backwards...

I am working myself into a bit of a state about it and have got really angry/frustrated at myself, thinking that I am failing my child before it's even born. I don't know why I'm even posting this as there's not much anyone can do or say - why can't I just seem to make myself take them!!

Flirty
8+6

Flirty before people knew about the benefits of taking extra folic acid, no one did. Yes there was a higher incidence of SB but it is still a small risk. If you have been taking folic acid as often as that and eating well before pregnancy, you will probably be absolutely fine. Of course there is always a risk, but there is still a risk even if you take the full recommended amount. Just do what you can. FWIW I really struggled to take folic acid in my latest pregnancy.

sorry to hear you feel so rotten. I had the same problem, every time I took a tablet I threw it up. I'm now 37 weeks and not signs from scans that there is a problem.
You can only do you best, try to supplement with your diet but I know how hard that is too. It may be worth trying a different brand even before I was pg I couldn't take pregnacare but could take another brand (Lanes I think).

This might be a bit obvious so apologies if you have tried, but have you tried taking it at another time? I take mine with my evening meal, and right in the middle of the meal so I already have something in my stomach, as vitamins etc. can make you feel ill on an empty stomach in any case. Agree with the comments from others though, if you are managing to get some down, then you are keeping your levels up as much as you can.

Fwiw flirty, I never took any folic acid in one of my pregnancies and my baby was absolutely fine.
I'm not saying its ok, but your not the only one who hasnt taken it.

If your managing to take some then thats great.
Plus I'm sure you know that there are ther ways of getting Folic acid.
So long as you can stomach them

I hope your sickness passes soon.
Its horrid.

Flirty - this happened to me - with both mine. With DD I was vomiting at least 5 times a day for the whole pg.

My only advice is to try and taken the folic acid just after you have been sick or to wait for a moment when you feel like you won't puke for a small amount of time.

Sit still after taking it, don't move a muscle. This will help you not to be sick.

www.eatwell.gov.uk (FSA site) says:

Folic acid, known as folate in its natural form, is one of the B-group of vitamins. Folate is found in small amounts in many foods. Good sources include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, peas, chickpeas and brown rice.

Other useful sources include fortified breakfast cereals, some bread and some fruit (such as oranges and bananas).

I think that it is in Marmite too. Maybe you could just try to find foods that agree with you. Vitamin pills make me feel yukky too, even if taken on a full stomach.

I don't think anyone who has had sickness eats the correct foods (inc me.) DO NOT WORRY. If you really want to feel better about not taking folic acid, 'goggle' folic acid linked to autism.

abidec do a pregnancy multi vitamin syrup type thing that has the folic acid in it, you should try that, i struggled and couldnt take any pills at all during the first few months and wished i had found this stuff sooner!

You can get folic acid in liquid form.
That may help.

Don't worry. The neural tube closes around 28 days after conception (ie the spinal nerves form). It is to prevent any defects in this neural tube which is the reason it is recommended you take folic acid. So basically, it is all done and dusted now! I am sure you are absolutely fine. A good diet and folic acid before you get pregnant is actually more important in preventing neural tube defects, which are rare anyway. The first scan will show your baby's spine, and it will be beautiful!

Flirty, I threw up many times a day for 6 weeks in first trimester. Even swallowing the folic acid tab made me throw. DS born two weeks ago, seems perfect!