my girlfriend's pregnant does she need to take folic acid tablets?

Question

What are they for?

Answer 1

congratulations to your girlfriend!!!!! folic acid is iron. she should ask her dr. before taking anything, including vitamins and minerals. i took folic acid when i was pregnant,but, my doctor had prescribed it to me. medicne changes from minute to minute and each persons needs are different. so tell your girlfriend that she should consult her dr. and he or she will recommend what is best for her and her baby. have a good day!!!!!

Answer 2

Yes, she needs to take folic acid.....and if she's taking prenatal vitamins there should be some (usually 400 mg) in those. Ad additional 400 mg would be good during the first 2-3 months, as that's when the vital organs are forming, and specifically the spinal column which depends on adequate folic acid for correct formation. A doctor or pharmacist can recommend the best amounts, but when in doubt make sure she's taking a prenatal that at least has 400. Best wishes!

Answer 3

Ideally, she should have started taking them before she got pregnant, but if she is still in the early weeks, she can start now.
Folic acid is a mineral that helps reduce the possibility of neural tube defects in the developing fetus; ie, spina bifida and hydrocephalus. This is where the absence of folic acid in the diet can be the cause of the baby's spine not fusing properly.
Many breakfast cereals have added folic acid. This is because the discovery of what folic acid could do was so simple, so cheap and so revolutionary that it costs almost nothing to add it to foods; and it has reduced the incidence of spina bifida dramatically.

Answer 4

In early pregnancy folic acid helps the baby's spinal cord form properly. Its very important.

If she 's a mega health freak who eats loads of the right foods in the right proportions (all green leafy vegs etc) she might be able to get away withouth taking a supplement as she'll get the folic acid she needs from her food.

If however, she's a mere mortal like most of us who doesn't always eat what she should (and in my case that happened a lot as I had bad sickness in early pregnancy) then she should take either folic acid tablets or - to be even more on the safe side - a pre-natal multivitamin and mineral supplement, which will have all she needs, as well as folic acid, in the right amounts. You can get them in any supermarket or chemist.

I found this much easier than trying to rely on getting it all from my diet and feeling bad when I didn't have a good few days and didn't eat enough fruit and veg etc. I knew my baby was getting what he needed.

Best person to advise on this is your midwife or doctor.

Answer 5

Not that alone!! Folic acid should be a suppliment to your prenatal vitamins. Folic acid help your prenancy before, during and after! It is very important!
Experts Say:
Adequate folic acid intake is very important 1 month before conception and at least 3 months afterward to potentially reduce the risk of having a fetus with a neural tube defect.

Read the following!! GOOD LUCK & CONGRATS!

Answer 6

She needs 400mcg of folic acid and up to 800mcg if nueral tube defects run in her family. However, if she already knows she is pregnant it is too late for the folic acid to prevent birth defects. Nueral tube defects take place in day 22-28 of pregnancy, well before its detectable on a test. That is why all women who have sex and can get pregnant should take folic acid before pregnancy. All is not lost though she should take it now becasue it can still help her body stay strong and give valuable nutrients to her baby.

Answer 7

Yes, this is to ensure she baby develops properly, spine and brain cells in particular, and prevents baby from developing spina bifida. She needs at least 400mg of folic acid (not 800mg like somebody suggested). Your best bet is to buy Pregnacare tablets, that contains the appropriate amount of folic acid, as well as other vitamins and minerals she needs, and therefore won't require any additional supplements. She will also have to make sure she eats lots of fruit and veg and meat, and drinks pure fruit juice.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

Folic acid should be in her prenatal vitamins. ask her doctor if their is enough. You don't want her to take too much or it could be hazardous to the baby so don't have her take them without the doctor telling her too. But do make sure she is taking prenatal vitamins (over the counter at Walgreen's or any store like that)
good luck and congrats.

Answer 10

Folic acid in early pregnancy is ESSENTIAL to reduce the risk of neural tube defects (like spina bifida) in the baby. These defects can be extremely disabling and even life-threatening.

You g/f should see her doctor or midwife as soon as possible to discuss this.

Really, this is important.