Neural tube defects

Why would a healthy 29-30 year old woman, who took folic acid throughout both pregnancies, have 2 consecutive pregnancies that resulted in NTD ?

[AnnieBrooke]

That would be one to discuss in depth with the doctor or a specialist.

[AnnieBrooke]

Was the timing of the folic acid beginning three months before trying to conceive?  I've heard it makes a difference for it to begin in advance of the pregnancy.

[dicorlj]

She lost the 1st baby in Nov. 2010, started taking folic acid as soon as she learned or that pregnancy, but it had defects. We thought the timing of starting it caused the problem.

She took it months before she became pregnant this time and is heartbroken. Are all of her babies going to have NTD's. Why, why, why? She saw  ob-gyn high risk pregnancy docs much of last week, with little encouragement for this or future pregnancies. (When she tried to make an appointment with a high risk pregnancy doctor BEFORE she got pregnant, no one had an opening.)