Higher dose of folic acid

[firstfreakout]

Apologies if this is a thread that comes up a lot, but I just wanted to add my personal factors to the question.

This is my second pregnancy and I haven't lost the weight from my first pregnancy yet. This puts my BMI at 30 apparently, which is significantly bigger than I was before DS was born. (Used to be a BMI of 23-25).

Because of this factor alone, the midwife I saw at the booking in said she wanted me to go to the GP to get an increased dose of folic acid, at 5mg.

I saw a GP yesterday who said she thought it was unnecessary and if the midwife insists to send her a letter explaining why and sort it that way. The midwife then called today saying that she thinks it's unreasonable for the GP to ask this as it's part of national guidelines for anyone over a BMI of 30 to be on folic acid of 5mg.

I'm 9 weeks today and it seems that by the time this gets sorted out I'll be closer to 10 weeks before I even start it, if they agree.

Does anyone have an input on this? Do you think this is necessary for me to be on the increased dosage, even though if I was like 2lbs lighter it would never have been mentioned?
Is it even worth taking towards the end of the first trimester?


Thanks

 

[Mayflower85]

My BMI is exactly 30 so I've been told to take high dose folic acid, as well as my general pregnancy multi-vitamin. My midwife messaged a GP on their internal system there and then and the GP came through the door with my prescription just minutes later. I've been told to take it throughout my pregnancy, not just the first trimester so yes I'd say it was worth taking.
I'm also on high dose vitamin d because I'm having a winter baby (January).

 

[Mayflower85]

Also, in this case I'd be more likely to take my midwifes advice than a GP, it's their specialty after all, and all the GPs I've come across have been a bit clueless when it comes to the ins and outs of pregnancy!

 

[Mrsbridge17]

Hi,

I am the same as mayflower and have been told to take an increased dose of folic acid alongside vitamin d throughout my entire pregnancy. Also due in January xx

 

[firstfreakout]

Thank you for replying ladies.

I have a phone appt with a GP on Friday to discuss it again as midwife is adamant that as it's guidelines, so we'll see what they say. Feel a bit like the middle man!

 

[p1ngu]

I have no idea about the double dosage but I would recommend taking the natural version of folic acid which is folate. A quick Google should point out the benefits of taking a natural, food grade, folate vs. synthetic folic acid. x

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[MoominGirl]

Hope you get it sorted. In my notes it states high dose folic acid at 5mg for a BMI above 30. It also states that if this is the only risk factor, it can be stopped at 12 weeks.

 

[baby.3]

My BMI is 34.9, so I'm guessing I should 100% be on double folic acid? I've not seen my midwife and won't be seeing her til 26th October. Do you think I should ring and double check? X

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[Mayflower85]

My BMI is 34.9, so I'm guessing I should 100% be on double folic acid? I've not seen my midwife and won't be seeing her til 26th October. Do you think I should ring and double check? X

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How many weeks are you? I took normal dose folic acid until I saw my midwife at 12 weeks, then she upped it to the higher dose.

 

[firstfreakout]

I'm not sure honestly. I'm 9+3 today and just started the 5mg of folic acid as I've only just managed to get my prescription. It wasn't even mentioned to me until my booking in appt when I was 8 weeks. I've been advised by the GP to take only for the first trimester, but I have no idea what the midwife/consultant will advise from then.

If you're not sure, maybe just give them a call or your GP and mention that you've heard a lot about the extra folic acid and seeing that you meet one of the requirements for it you'd like to know if it's necessary for you to take it. I think it's a reasonable thing to ask

 

[baby.3]

I'm only 4w5d so early days but suffered 2 mc this year, so what to be doing all I can to give this bean a fighting chance. Thank you, I'll give them a ring first thing Monday morning to double check xx

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[firstfreakout]

I'm only 4w5d so early days but suffered 2 mc this year, so what to be doing all I can to give this bean a fighting chance. Thank you, I'll give them a ring first thing Monday morning to double check xx

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Sorry to hear about your mc's this year

They sometimes get women to take it before falling pregnant, but my GP said this is rarely the case as by the time women are told they need it they're already pregnant!
I wouldn't worry too much for now, as long as you're taking your normal pregnancy vitamins. Hopefully they can give you an answer on monday

 

[Kholl]

I have to emphasize the importance of taking folate/methylfolate instead of folic acid! Thorne is a great brand.

 

[baby.3]

I've actually been taking folic acid since my mc in July. I knew I was going to be ttc again so just continued to take it. Thank you for the post, I'd have never have known to question it otherwise.

And ill look into folate instead of folic acid but surely the difference can be that great as the first thing my midwife asked is if I was taking folic acid :/

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[Kholl]

Yeah for some people folic acid is ok but for a large chunk of the population folate is far superior, there is more and more research into MTHFR variations and many of those mean that the person can’t methylate folic acid and so need the already active form (folate or methylfolate). The estimation is that 1 in 3 people have some kind of MTHFR issue (both my older kids do, my youngest hasn’t been tested and i haven’t yet either but I assume we do too). That number may be much higher. It’s shocking to me how slow the mainstream medical world is to catch on, as it’s pretty common knowledge now with people who are paying attention (my kids’ doctor emphasizes how vital it is to make sure kids’ vitamins have the active form of folate and b12). MTHFR mutations can be connected to higher rates of miscarriage so whenever that’s been an issue people should be extra certain to take methylated folate and b12. Most docs and midwives don’t know this. Hopefully before long it will be common knowledge.