Folic Acid&Pregnancy

[hmonglove93]

Hi Guys,
I am about 7-8 weeks prgnant and haven't been talking any folic acid vitamins all this time just eating the foods i normally eat which i'm sure had at least some folic acid in them. Is this bad? what are the chances of this being harmful to the baby? i'm scared. Please help!

thanks.

[wishes03]

You should  take folic acid tablets. My friend is 3m pregnant and her doc recommend for taking folic acid.

[SunWorshiper_26]

The danger of not taking folic acid is severe spina bifida that cannot be fixed and causes fetal death. There is NOT enough folic acid if the food you eat which is why they make a big deal about it. The danger of taking prenatals is an upset tummy which can be fixed by changing when you take them. You are supposed to start folic acid at least three months prior to conception by at least by the time you get a positive test it is most important to take during the first trimester.

I don't know why you wouldn't want to take something that can prevent severe physical deformities and even prevent fetal death.

[Clysta]

I agree. Why do you not want to be taking them? As said lack of these things can cause developmental problems to the child or hurt your own body. I had trouble keeping mine down and became badly anemic. Unless there's a true valid reason, the responsible thing is to take them for your babies health and not just because you don't want to.

[Heatherm4]

How come you don't want to take them? Is it because they make you sick or something?
Proper prenatal care is the first major responsibility of a pregnant woman and taking prenatal vitamins plays a major part in that. Clysta is right about your food not having enough folic acid and if you don't get enough then your baby could potentially develop a neural tube defect such as spina bifida. Always better to be safe than sorry!
If they make you sick then you could always try to take them at a time during the day when you aren't nauseated. You could always cut the pills in half if you need to or if you are unable to swallow bigger pills.
Congrats on your pregnancy.

[hmonglove93]

what if i don't want to take any of those things.? how dangerous is this?

[Clysta]

You have to be taking prenatals. The reason is the food you eat has no where near the amount (if any) needed for your own body and your baby. In addition to the folic acid, it will have the vitamins and Iron you have to have.

[Angebelle]

Although you may not have been taking prenatal vitamins or folic acid supplements, you may have been ingesting those nutrients anyway through your diet.  If you've been eating green leafy veggies (like salads) and whole grains (like in pasta, cereal or bread), you may not be off as bad as you think.  

But now is the time to focus on prenatal vitamins, especially those that contain between 400 - 600 mcg of folic acid.  Congrats! and best of luck!!

[emw11]

start taking prenatels

[cnj76]

I'd start taking folic acid... At least 400 mg...can get them over the counter....

Or if your doctor prescribed you prenatals those should have folic already in them.... However, I'm not going to be prescribed prenatals whenever I fall pregnant ( don't know yet if I am).... I've been taking Women's One A Day prenatals that has all of  the vitamins I need to help support a baby AND all of the folic acid recommended:))
Also over the counter and don't make me feel sick or anything... Just two pills a day:))