folic acid...

[xPinkAngelx]

how important is it that you take this during pregnancy? i started taking it but have stopped for the last week as it seemed to be making me feel more sick?... should folic acid be taken throughout the pregnancy or jut the first 12 weeks?? im about ten weeks btw if that makes a difference..

[Buenchico]

The internet is full of so-called medical advice, much of which is contradictory (and some of which is potentially dangerous). I'll restrict myself to referring you to an authoritative source, i.e. the NHS website:
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/pregnancy/Pages/Fol icacid.aspx

Chris

[Ice.Maiden]

Pink Angel - I believe that all this folic acid stuff's only when folk don't obtain it naturally through diet.
If you eat plenty of fresh green veg, along with a sensible amount of good, wholesome food, you don't need to take a supplement, unless medically advised. x

[puma86]

I thought it was quite important?! Helps to stop spina Bifida. My tablets contain folic acid and iron. They also made me feel sick until i could eat something an hour later then i was ok. This passed thought after a few weeks as my body got used to them. I have to take mine all through my pregnancy and for a month afterwards
:o)

[puma86]

oh and they were prescribed to me by my GP

[Sqad]

Very important, particularly in the first 14 weeks. Need not be taken after that time.

Take notice of puma86.

Take the Folic Acid tablets with your food.

[Ice.Maiden]

It's true that folic acid's important puma86. It belongs to one of the vitamin B groups - B9? I forget now, but I think the medical profession has determined that we perhaps don't get enough of this from our intake of food alone, and that's why it's been promoted as a beneficial supplement before, and during pregnancy.
Having said that, I still think that a healthy diet with whole grains, fruit and green leafy veg will, in many cases, provide this vitamin and nourish your growing baby. I'm not saying don't take the folic acid as prescribed, or if you feel this is sensible, but no one knows the exact causes of spina bifida, except that the mother's nutrition can play a part in. This is why folic acid and other vitamins are suggested, to supplement the vitamins that may be missing from a diet which isn't rich in the necessary components.