I wouldn't think about having a pregnancy where I didn't take folate for at least the first trimester.
I was slack with taking my folate whilst pregnant with Noah... and he had numerous abnormalities... who know's whether that's connected or not?
For my 1st trimester with Harrison, I took Blackmores Pregnancy and Breastfeeding tablets, plus I was already taking Folate before falling pregnant with him so I continued taking those tablets too as I needed a higher than normal dosage of folate.

To me, the very least I can do is take a tiny little tablet for 12 weeks for my baby. I think you should definitely at least take folate hun.