Folic acid in 2nd & 3rd tri - benefits??

I have been taking slightly increased amounts of folic acid since my pregnancy was confirmed at 4 weeks. I take about 1800 mg a day (2x 500mg of folic acid plus elevit), so not huge doses but still more than average. I had an unexplained m/c last year so my FS and I thought it wouldn't do any harm to take a bit extra.

Anyway, have been wondering if it's worthwhile continuing on with the folic acid or if I should just cut back to the elevit? Are there any benefits in continuing it? I kind of remember reading that it can help with placental function?? Or did I make that up somewhere along the lines?? :rolleyes:

My gyne told me to stop taking the folic acid after I became pg, but he did prescribe preggievites that also include the folic acid.

Willow, the benefits are greatest pre conception and in the first trimester... This is due to the fact that prior to conception the folate helps build a healthy ovum. After conception it helps ensure healthy embryonic/fetal development. I personally think it doesn't hurt and it can help you. Have a little google on benefits of folate and you will see what I mean. Having said that. If you are on Elevit you are getting 800mcgs a day... So, perhaps it's not so important.

Like you for the same reasons I am on 5mgs of folate daily. I will continue it, just because I believe it's beneficial. To get the best benefit of folate it's important to take b12 and b6 with it as well. :hug:

Thanks Deb, I was hoping you'd see this!

I was taking just the folic acid pre conception, but then added the elevit when the prg was confirmed and have continued since. Dr S said this was fine and that some of his patients take 10 times this amount, depending on their histories.

I think I will continue it too, i've come this far, might as well continue, it's cheap so cost isn't an issue either - it can add up when you're popping so many pills!

I hear you about the cost. My little stash sets me back some! I think it's a good thing but that 's my personal opinion. Folate is important in pregnancy and many foods tested had below the "supposed" levels of folate. So, getting it from dietary sources alone is very very difficult. Also cooking kills b vitamins .... So, that makes it even harder.

Yes, our lovely Dr S is a big fan of high doseage folate, b12 and b6! Happy pill popping Willow! I will think of you tonight as I down mine! It's all for the cause! :hug:

Hi Willow

I have been taking Elevit since March (I fell in April). I am now 16 weeks pregnant and have often thought about the benefits of fish oil in second and third trimesters of pregnancy, making it beneficial to Bub's brain development. So I have switched to Blackmores Gold Pregnancy and Breastfeeding formula. Elevit has no omega 3 in it. If you eat enough fish I'm sure it's all fine! I believe the benefits of folate in second and third trimester though are not as important as pre-conception and the first trimester as everything is developing. If you keep taking Elevit, I think all will be good for you.

Bindy xx

I do eat enough fish so I wouldn't worry about switching to Blackmores, I've taken it before and prefer Elevit.

Thanks Bindy!

Hi Willow

May I ask, why do you prefer Elevit over Blackmores? Only because I've just started taking Blackmores.

:)

Mainly because it's only one tablet once a day and the blackmores is two tablets. I also found that Blackmores had a funny taste, Elevit doesn't. At the time, Elevit had more folic acid in it too, but pretty sure they're the same now.

Yes you have to take two big horse tablets with Blackmores lol :lol: Elevit ones are smaller and one per day. Elevit do have a much higher folic acid content than Blackmores so taking Elevit at the beginning was a good option for me. Have a great week Willow :)

I stopped taking folate after the 12 week mark - my ob said I could. I asked if I ahd to take any other supplements and he said no. I did take iron tablets for a bit cause I was constipated and not eating much meat but it turned my poo black! Sorry - TMI!

i take Elevit too! have been since we decided to start trying.. about 4 months before we conceived and still on it! If you buy the biggest box (can't remember how many in it) it's about $50 and cheaper than if you buy the small box. OB is happy for me to still take it, and i'm happy to as it don't do any harm and can only benefit me and bubs!

Just a quick one,

5gms of vegemite will actually provide 100 micro grams of folate. Tabs for pregnancy usually contain 500 micro grams.

Leafy green vegies are high in folate.
Many milks juices and cereals (including comercial breads) are fortified with Folate.

While taking folate pre conception and during first trimester has proven qualities, if you have a healthy diet, and aren't one of the un-lucky ones with MS all the way through, taking extra folate will probably do very little for you.

Any vitamins, if you take them in excess of what your body actually requires they just stop doing anything.

sorry i hope i am not crashing your thread... i noticed you were talking about preconception too!

Flowerchild, i noticed you said folate works best with B12 and B6, does that mean Mega B vitamins? That is those two isnt it? I cant remember!! I am taking Natures Own Mega B vitamins every day with Folic acid (i am preconception stage)....
i didnt know that the folic acid taken before conceiving helps build stronger ovum... i knew it was good for me but didnt realise it did that - wow! so interesting...

oh and i take daily -
* 2 blackmores pregnancy gold tablets ( i dont have a prob with them ) and they are Australian brand too!
* 1 fish oil tablet (high strength no mercury ) chemist advised it cant remember brand but was expensive! 1030mg each tablet
* 1 Mega B vitamin tablet
* 1 folic acid tablet (500mcg)

geez i sound like i'm popping pills all day long....haha
i figure if my body doesnt need the extra fish oil or extra folic acid etc it will just come out... am i right??

Vitamins work best in their groups. Whilst I agaree with what you are saying Kungfu I believe personally that it's a simplistic way of looking at our nutrition.

Our green leafy veges are depleted in folate, zinc and many other vitamins and minerals. This is due to farming techniques, the fact they are picked before they are ripened (often), the fact that they are refrigerated at low temps, transported great distances, long shelf life etc... If we grow our own veges organically, in rich soils, low pollutant area and pick then eat we would be eating high folate leafy greens. The fact that most of us are not leaves us at risk...
Also, cooking kills b vitamins.

Folate has been found to protect a high number of babies from developing neural tube defects. It has also been found in high doseage to be beneficial for preventing miscarriage. For folate to be beneficial it needs to be taken in a therapeutic doseage. Relying on an unmeasured doseage from dietary sources, I believe is risky.

Renstar: Yes, it's true that folate without b12 and b6 finds it difficult to be utilised by our bodies. For most women who don't have the issues that Willow and myself have the amount of b12 and b6 in a multivitamin is sufficient for absorption...

Of course this is my personal opinion, reasoned from much research and personal experience - each person has to decide for themselves after independent research what feels right for them... :hug:

Renstar, I would think (imo) that you dont' need to take a multi vitamin as well as a pregnancy vitamin. Just the pregnancy vitamin would be enough.

I like Blackmores better too - its Aussie owned! :hug:

This might sound really dumb but with the Blackmores tablets, should I be taking 2 at the same time? Or 1 at breakfast and 1 at dinner? Or does it not matter? I also take 1 x folate tablet and 2 x fish oil tablets.

I'm in the TWW so just want to have all my bases covered.

I'm confused!

Flowerchild - yep i'm a blackmores girl too ;) i remember we both said that in another thread about vitamins once, the one where someone was deciding between Elevit and Blackmores...
i'm taking Mega B vitamins (all the B group only) because a friend of mine kept having miscarriages and she found that once taking B vitamins, it prevented her miscarrying (from her experience anyway) and also after being on BCP's for 9yrs i've read i need to replenish all my B group vitamins.....
thanks for your helpful info too :)
shoegal - good question.... i take 1 in morning and usually forget my night 1, but two in morning sound good

I understand Renstar... What your body doesn't need it will wee out! (B vitamins )
Interestingly prior to conceiving this baby in my belly I was on a multi and preg vitamins and my folate b6 and b12. For the first time in 2 years I had the lovely yellow fluro wee that is the B vitamins in your wee...
Prior to this even on b12, b6 and preg vitamins, and folate 5mgs I had no yellow wee. As you know I have said goodbye to 6 babies... There is definitely a link between the b group vitamins and miscarriage. I believe it's due to our pollutants, life style and lack of good quality food...

ah, yes, the fluoro yellow wee... i know the one....

so if you are weeing that out, that means your body has used what it needs, and taken it and the rest is not needed...??! hhmm.....
Thanks for your advice & experience... I'm so sorry you have lost 6 beautiful babies...
congrats on your pregnancy, you deserve a happy and healthy one all the way :)

I hear you about the twice a day thing. I use Elevit because my OB suggested it but I am glad that it is only a one a day... I am useless at remembering to take the second one!

I know the cost can add up but really ladies, it's a drop in the ocean compared to the cost of raising the little darlings! And v. important for a healthy bub!

Re: taking extra supps as well.. I never have and I have one beautiful boy and am pg with second. I have had two dream pgs. But everyone is diff. so just see how you feel and keep talking to your OB - they know best!

:D