Miscarriage and Folic Acid

There was a story today in a UK sunday paper about a woman who had a son in 2000 and then had 18 miscarriages. She recently gave birth to a baby girl after her Dr did a blood test and discovered that ther was virtually no folic acid in her body leading to problems when the baby`s spinal cord was being formed. She always miscarried at 7 weeks which coincides with the time when the baby`s spinal cord is being formed. She was given folic acid shots and she went on to have a baby girl. I just thought this is interesting enough to share. I`m going to start ttc in January but I`ve already started taking folic acid and other vitamins coz there is nothing to lose. Good luck to everyone.

[bam1014]

That's interesting.  I wonder what caused her to have no folic acid in her body?  And how did the dr test for it?  Was she not taking any as a prenatal supplement, or was her body not able to absorb it?
Any woman of childbearing age, should take at least 400mg a day and when you are ttc, at least 800mg, which should be found in a prenatal vitamin.  I can't remember from nunu's research, but I thought it might go back down to 400mg when you are breastfeeding.
Ha!  You should hear the crazy regime some of  us are submitting ourselves to, to have the proper nutrients in our bodies so we can have healthy babies :)

[Dani711]

My friends sister in law had the same problem and discovered the lack of folic acid and finally put her on it and she went on after many m/c to have healty children. Some people just require more because of a lack of it in their diet, or some just don't absorb it. There are many studies to not only show how folic acid can help in m/c, but also help in the healthy development of children.  The statistics are overwhelming.  i have been TTC again for 6 months now, but my dr. immeditley put me on folic acid after the loss of ours.  They say it takes 3 months for the folic acid to take effect in your body.

[ArmyPrincess819]

Thanks for the information. I'm a nervous nelly so as soon as I know I'm pg I always start taking prenatl vits and folic acid pills. However I have read some articles that have shown studies that too many vitamins can cause M/C so it's very interesting. Thanks again and have a great day!

[Dani711]

I think you are supposed to start the prenatels and folic acid before you get pregnant if you can.  I know that too many vitamins are bad, but if you are sticking with the basics it is only better for your body!  I was nervous as well when we started to try again, but now at this point i just want the chance again!!  Good Luck!

[Latrice414]

A folic acid deficiency is basicly Anemia, your body does not make enough red blood cells which carries oxygen, and a baby would need oxygen.  Some people who have folic acid deficiency may also have B12 deficiency. Folic Acid Def. could be from lack of folic acid in diet or the body can not absorb it. B12 defic. you would need to take B12 shots for the rest of your life if it is becasue of an instrinic factor.

I take a prenatal pill with 1mg of folic acid in it and 0.8mg extra folic acid, with folic acid, what your body dont use, you will excrete it out(the folic acid). I would not recommend taking extra vitamins like c d etc. without drs orders bcuz those vitamins are not easliy excreted out of body and can cause life threatning situations.

To check for that a dr can do a blood test, a CBC or an anemia panel

The funny thing is, that as we get older, our body demands more, sometimes i wish i met DF when i was 19 and could ve had a lot of babies. Bcuz as of age 32 going on 33 next year, its just harder.

[kgokgo]

I forgot to mention that this woman`s Dr said that the lack of folic acid in her body was caused by the birth of her first baby. Interesting huh. For someone desperate for an explanation to miscarriages like me (I had two successful pregnancies prior to miscarriages) it kind of makes sense. I had my first at 22 and my second at 25 and now I`m 32 so maybe like Latrice said, as we grow older, our body demands more. I took three years off this babymaking business to go to university and I curse my degree everyday. All I want now is a baby, I don`t even want to go to work! I wish I had had my baby three years ago, maybe things would have been different.

On the issue of vitamins, I have started taking something called Pregnacare and it has 17 vitamins, minerals and folic acid (400mg). Its all in one tablet which is taken once a day. Do you think there are too many things in this tablet?

[steph9803]

I have a friend who has MTHFR which is something that prevents her body from absorbing folic acid. I had never heard of it before she told me about it. It is amazing that the smallest things can cause such tragedy...

kgokgo- I am so glad that I read your post. I have decided to try for our last baby before I go back to school, and your post makes me feel like I have made a good decision. My best friend who delivered a few weeks ago is 38 and my other friend who is due next month is 32. I'm just terrified to wait now that I have m/c'ed.