They say it's best to start taking it at least 3 months before conception, so basically as soon as you decide to TTC, or a couple months before if you know when you're going to start.
I was taking mine all the time, but then we stopped trying, so I stopped taking it. A couple months later I fell pregnant by accident, so as soon as I suspected I was pregnant, I started taking it again.
I take Elevit which I started taking a couple of weeks ago upon finding out I was pregnant. Their recommendation was to take it (Elevit) at least one month before conception if possible. I don't need to take an extra folate supplement with Elevit...although I am taking fish oil as well...love a "capsule dessert" following breakfast!!
I took it 3 months before we started TTC, then for the first maybe 6 weeks religously then MS kicked in and I puked everything up anyways.
I asked my Midwife if I still needed it or any vitamins and she said no - if my diet was healthy and balanced then there is really no need for other supplements. The only thing she recommends is Iron much later in preganancy IF I show some deficiency.
I was taking it when we were TTC, and did so 3 months prior to TTC.
I suspected I was pregnant not long after DTD so started taking it again, so only 2 weeks before I found out was I taking it again.
It won't hurt you to start now. But you could try before the supplements to increase your natural consumption of folate. Spinach, borcolli etc are good. Lots of foods are also fortified with folate now too. Orange juice, Breakfast cereals, Milk etc.
KMH I believe the longer you supplement before TTC the better. It takes at least 3 months for levels to build. I think its good practice for all women of child bearing age to at least supplement with folate, b12 and b6 (all needed to properly assimilate the folate).
Good luck on your TTC journey...
i started taking elevit 1 month prior to ttc on the advice of my gp and haven't looked back since, esp as my OB said that was the best one to be on. This is my 2nd pg and I wouldn't dream of taking anything else, esp as you get everything you and bubs need in one tablet.
KMH _ I just want to share something that has come to light with me personally.
Due to recurrent fetal death I have had extensive tests - LOTS... One of the nutrients that is often lacking in women with recurrent miscarriage/recurrent fetal death is zinc. My zinc was under what it should have been - not grossly but just slightly. It wasn't thought to be a factor but something that we needed to "keep an eye on". Anyway I transgress...
I just got my most recent zinc levels back - my level has gone up so now it is within normal ranges but that took 6 months of supplementation. It is recommended by health specialists, obs and midwives that you supplement for at least 3 months. It takes that long for stores to build. In our country our soil is depleted in many nutrients - especially when foods are not grown organically. The longer you supplement prior to pregnancy the better. It is also important for your partner to supplement too. Remembering that his sperm forms half of the equation! Folate, b12 and b6, zinc and vitamin c are essential for healthy sperm/dna. I thought I would add that so you can keep it in mind.
Elevit has got lots of nutrients in it. It is also lacking in some such as fish oil and iodine - both are often not readily sourced in a pregnant woman's diet due to the fear of mercury poisoning etc... Elevit is also produced by Roche a drug company.
Call me a cynic but this is why many doctors push the Elevit barrow... Conversley many obs who are not seduced by drug companies will say either or... (Blackmores and others).
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when did you start taking folate etc
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