I went to my Doctor on Tuesday to have my pregnancy confirmed. I am 6 weeks pregnant and have been given folic acid to take but a friend told me that it doesnt work or make any difference to helping the baby growing. Is this true?
2007-06-13 22:27:14 · 16 answers · asked by blonderosey 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Dont listen to your friend listen to your doctor it is vital that you take it .If you dont you have an increased risk of baby having spina bifida and other problems .They are perfectly safe or else your doctor wouldnt have given them to you everymother on here has taken them it is vital for a health pregnancy and baby
2007-06-13 22:31:21 · answer #1 · answered by Alicia27 1 · 8⤊ 0⤋
No it certainly does help the development of your baby!
Folic acid is supposed to be taken for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and is proven to help in the correct development of your baby's spine and back, thus contributing to the prevention of conditions such as spina bifida.
I know this because I had a bleed at 7 weeks. The baby was fine and all went well when I went for the scan. But then, when I had a blood test done at 19 weeks, my iron levels were very low as a result of the bleed, even though I had continued taking folic acid supplements daily until told to stop.
I had to go for the anomaly scan anyway, but was very worried as to the development of the baby's spine and back, wihch I was told they'd be checking more in particular.
When I went for the 20 week anomaly scan though, the baby was fine, although I was told by the sonographer than taking folic acid was a good strong contributing factor in the correct development of the baby and said I was right to take it.
Your friend has seriously misinformed you and you need to keep taking the folic acid as advised until told otherwise, hun. Other than that, congratulations on your pregnancy and enjoy!
2007-06-13 22:40:35 · answer #2 · answered by Loulla 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Doctors and scientists still aren't completely sure why folic acid has such a profound effect on the prevention of neural tube defects, but they do know that this vitamin is crucial in the development of DNA. As a result, folic acid plays a large role in cell growth and development, as well as tissue formation
2007-06-13 22:38:06 · answer #3 · answered by meg_megs_meggy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do me a favor and when u talk to ur friend tell him/her that before they give u their opinion about something to make sure they have the right info.
What Is Folic Acid and Why Does Your Baby Need it?
Folic acid is a naturally occurring B vitamin that helps a baby's neural tube—the part of a developing baby that becomes the brain and spinal cord—develop properly. It must be taken before and during early pregnancy when the neural tube is developing.
Some studies suggest that folic acid may also protect women and men from stroke, colon cancer and breast cancer.
2007-06-13 22:34:41 · answer #4 · answered by lissal13 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You have a choice here - you can believe you friend, OR:
- your doctor
- the UK government who advises all pregnant women to take folic acid
- The World Health organisation which does the same
Your friend is WRONG. Take the folic acid.
2007-06-13 23:19:24 · answer #5 · answered by Ricecakes 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
your friend is obviously not a very well informed friend.
Folic acid, a B vitamin, helps prevent birth defects of the brain and spinal cord when taken very early in pregnancy. It is available in most multivitamins, as a folic acid-only supplement and in some foods.
listen to your doctor, he knows alot more than your friend.
2007-06-13 23:13:06 · answer #6 · answered by angel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Folic acid has been proven to help prevent certain neural tube and spinal defects in fetuses. Your friend sounds a little bit ignorant about this subject, and I wouldn't take her advice on anything pregnancy related, especially over the advice of your well-trained, certified and licensed doctor. Best of luck and congrats!!!! :)
2007-06-13 22:38:38 · answer #7 · answered by Lexicat 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dont listen to your friend, shes SO wrong. Folic acid helps to prevent spina bifida and aids in the development of the spinal cord and brain. You take it until 12 weeks.
2007-06-13 22:39:05 · answer #8 · answered by Smiley_1714 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Folic Acid is also Iron. It is extremely important for baby. Iron you can get in fish but you have to eat alot of fish to get the same amount as you get in Folic Acid. I took Folic Acid right through my pregnancy and also PregnaVit. PregnaVit is specially made for pregnant woman and has all the Vitamin and Minerals in that you might not get from your daily food hence the name Preg (pregnant) vit (vitamins). It is 100% safe for Folic Acid and PregnaVit if you want a health baby that has no shortage of the nutriants. Never listen to people the doctor is quilified and will never give you something that will harm your unborn Angel.
2007-06-13 22:35:54 · answer #9 · answered by Mommy Bee 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Folic Acid is proven to prevent disabilities such as Spina Bifida, I took it before and during my 1st pregnancy and my child is fit and healthy at 8 years old now.
If you'd rather not take the tablets you can instead eat food which is rich in folic acid such as broccoli, but to be on the safe side I would listen to your GP.
2007-06-13 22:32:52 · answer #10 · answered by Adele P 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Do not listen to your friend. folic acid helps the babies spine to develop, if you dont take it there is an increased chance of spina bifada. Your doctor should have recommended you take it and if you dont have some he should have prescribed you some.
2007-06-13 22:34:32 · answer #11 · answered by raynor_11 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋