sugar i think i would know if there was a history of spina bifita in the family as my family is very big and close being maltese and on both sides there are no history of spina bifita my gp said that its gotto start somewhere doesnt always mean its in the family and also your suppose to take 5mgs of folate a day is the recomended dose i was taking 400mcg of folate but for pregnancy your suppose to take 5mgs dont ask me why but that was what i was told of my gp as well as a midwife.