Folic Acid?

Question

I know whilst trying to conceive and the first 12 weeks of pregnancy you should take folic acid, when should you stop or should you carry on taking throughout? im now 14 weeks and still taking 1 a day?
Thanks
x

Answer 1

You should continue taking folic acid through the ENTIRE duration of your pregnancy and even after, especially if you are considering breast-feeding. Aside from being good for your baby, it's also good for you.

Answer 2

Certain foods and medications taken during pregnancy can decrease the amount of Folic Acid your body absorbs. Foilc acid is importnant during pregnancy because it helps prevent birth defects and disorders like Spina Bifida.

It is recommened to take Folic Acid during the entire pregnancy. The first 3 months are the most important however. If you are already taking a prenatal vitamin, then it should have enough Folic Acid already in it once you are passed your first 3 months.

Answer 3

As others have stated, the sole reason for the additional folic acid is to prevent neural tube defects. By 8 weeks, that development is complete, but they recommend 12 weeks just in case you are off on dates. There is more than enough folic acid in your food that you no longer need to supplement folic acid specifically.

Answer 4

Folic acid is advised to be taken in early pregnancy (up to 12 weeks) as it may help in preventing neural tube defects. Since neural tube gets formed mainly in the early stage of pregnancy, it is recommended to take the supplements by around 12th week of pregnancy. Therefore, it does not seem to be necessary to carry on after that. If you are concerned about having healthy food intake, you can try to have dark green leafy vegetables which are a good source of folic acid, all through your pregnancy.

Answer 5

folic acid reduces the risk of nural tube defects eg spina bifida. The nural tube, brain stem and spine have formed by 12 weeks and so there is no need for you to continue after this time. It will not harm you to continue taking them but you would get more benefit by swapping to a pregnancy multi-vitamin tablet like pregaday or pregnacare..

The research that proved the effectiveness of folic acid looked at taking it pre-conceptionally.

Answer 6

I think its safe for you to stop taking it if you want, but you should still take a prenatal vitamin for the other nutrients (which means you'll still be getting folic acid).

Folic acid works, but it only works if taken before and during the first few weeks of pregnancy, when the neural tube is developing into the brain and spinal cord. - March of Dimes

Answer 7

I've been taking 1 a dayfor 10 years and I'm a male over 50.
Folic acid is for more than just pregnant women.
Talk to your doctor or nurse.

Answer 8

Keep taking it your whole pregnancy and after if you're breast feeding. You should take a pre-natal vitamin that has all the vitamins you and your baby need plus the folic acid. Your doctor can give you a prescription, or you can buy a store brand. I took the CVS brand it was $20 for 350 pills.

Answer 9

The reason you need to take folic acid is to help prevent abnormalities in the spine as it develops. The spine should be fully formed at this stage so it should be safe to stop taking it. A calcium supplement wouldn't hurt to help strengthen your baby's bones now. Congratulations

Answer 10

Thats false, the most folic acid you need the ovum and embryo used before you knew you were pregnant. Usually by 8 weeks the surge is over. Beyond that point you get all you need from your diet, and certainly from your prenatal if your diet isnt catching it.