Extra dose of Folate

[Bloom]

Hello,

Just wondering if anyone here is taking a higher dose of folate due to a family history issue? My mothers first baby (Isabelle) was still born at 37 weeks due to a problem with her brain and skull not forming properly (I don't know any more specifics) and that sounds to me like it might be neural tube related. Mum went on to have 3 relatively healthy children including me. Does this sound like a family history. Thoughts?

Yes, I know I should probably ask her but then she might get upset and she will know that I'm TTC!

I will discuss with Dr at next appointment anyway when I get my rubella and chickenpox check back.

[*charmalea*]

i take a folate tablet along with the preg vitamins ... it would be worth asking you doc ... im not sure if there is a thing as too much folate , but for now taking aq folate supplemt can only do good ... gl

[Rach75]

she may have had anecephaly

I was advised to take 5mgs of folic acid every day till I hit menopause, my sister and SIL were both advised as well although there is no genetic link as such, neither sister or SIL did and one has 4 healthy children the other 1

it wont hurt you you can pick up 100 tablets of megafol 5mgs at any chemist for less than $4 a bottle

[rufalina]

I second what Rach said. I took the 5mg megafol along with my preg multis.
Any folate your body does not need you will pee out (it is water soluable) so totally fine to take.
GOOD LUCK!

[slyder]

As Rach said, Isabelle's condition sounds very much like anencephaly which is a neural tube defect, as is spina bifida.

DW is taking 5mg folate daily due to my family history of spina bifida.

Where there is a history of NTD doctors will usually advise you to take 5mg, or possibly a different dose depending on your circumstances.

Remember, NTDs occur within the first few weeks after conception so it is important to start taking folate as soon as possible so that your body has sufficient levels before you fall pregnant. Taking it after about the third week of pregnancy has no practical effect on the likelihood of a NTD as the basis for the area concerned is already formed.

[cateblu]

hi
i take 5mg of folate every day as i have epilepsy and am on drug treatment. it's the only thing my specialist recommended to protect my baby from potential problems

[Chez67]

Hi Ruth

I take the 5mg megafol tabs as well, not because of a family history, but because I read somewhere that it can increase the chances of older (ehhhmm?) women conceiving. Both of my FS have been happy with me electing to take the extra dose. Hope that helps.

Cheryl

[Bloom]

Well, I looked for megafol at my local chemist but couldn't find it and they are a big chemist. I could only find folate tablets that said they have 5mcg of folate in them. Is mcg the same as mg???

I bought the 5mcg tablets, hoping that at least it's better than nothing until I can make sure I've got the right ones.

[Rach75]

5 mcg is 0.5mg

should have said you would need to ask pharmacist they aren't normally kep ton shelf but behind counter as such

[Bloom]

Hmmm... okay. So I need to ask the chemist for the megafol and maybe in the mean time I will take 10 of the 5mcg tablets a day! Thanks for your help Rach.

[Rach75]

ummm I dont know about taking 10 tablets what does the pack say..... but yeah you need to ask the chemist