Folic acid requirement

[sue68]

When I was at my first doctors appointment,  the nurse said that the folic acid requirements are now higher : 5 mg instead of 1 mg.  I've searched it on the web and found a couple articles about that but,  most times read in magazines etc...to take 1 mg ( they only sell up to 1 mg anyway ).  Was anyone else told this ?

I found a book at a Winners/ Homesense store ( T.J. Maxx / Marshalls to you Americans ) - and find it gives unbiased info - you might want to check it out "Healthy Pregnancy over 35 " by Laura Goetzl  and Regine Harford ( published by DK publishing ).  Its the first American edition so maybe there's an updated one.  I believe the first author , Laura - a doctor herself - was pregnant at 35+ .  

[kiaragirl]

How important is folic acid when trying to get pregnant as apposed to actually being pregnant???

[oceanv]

When i was at my ob appointment she gave me some samples of the pregvit (brand name) 5mg version.  I had been taking the 1mg version but she said that i'd be perfectly fine with materna.  ??

[adgal]

I heard conflicting info on it.  My first Dr. (the first time I was pregnant) actually gave me a prescription for 5mg folic acid.  When I went to fill it, the pharmacist was quite surprised, stating that was usually only prescribed when there was an actual problem (I can't remember what exactly, but it was some sort of condition).  This OB has me on pre natals containing 1 mg.  Honestly, I wish all these Dr.s would agree on these things, its so confusing..lol.  As far as I know, you can't get 5mg folic acid without a prescription.

[Miranda9]

Hi Sue,
Yes, my Dr. also told me this at my consultation meeting with him.  I've been taking Materna pre-natal vitamins with 1 mg.  My Dr. wasn't worried about my folic supplement intake - said that many foods now are supplemented by folic - but he did say Drs. now recommend 5 mg.  But he only recommended taking another 1 mg in case I ever forget to take my materna so that's what I'm doing (I bought folic 1 mg tablets - I don't see any on the market for 5 mg.)