I take a daily multi-vitamin which list follate at 400 mg. I also just bought a 400 mg folic acid supplement but haven't taken it because I'm not sure if this would be too much. Is the total daily folic acid recommendation 400 mg? Am I getting enough with just my multi-vitamin I'm confused. I'm not pregnant but we will probably try to conceive next year and I know that folic acid is important in preventing birth defects. Any advice?
Another Folic Acid Question
- Thread starter lorrie
- Start date
Hi Lorrie,
I am certainly not a professional so I would definitely wait on Sheila's response to your question (or talk to your ob-gyn), however, I have read recently that you should take 400 micrograms of Folic acid per day when trying to conceive. The same article said that sometimes doctors will tell you to increase this to 600 to 800 micrograms after you become pregnant. I read this at www.babycenter.com
I will be trying for another baby next year also, so I will be checking back to see what Sheila's response is. It's obviously very important and we all need a professionals opinion on this subject. Check out the babycenter.com website when you get a chance. It has an area devoted to preconception and nutrition.
Good luck to you!!!
Lisa
I am certainly not a professional so I would definitely wait on Sheila's response to your question (or talk to your ob-gyn), however, I have read recently that you should take 400 micrograms of Folic acid per day when trying to conceive. The same article said that sometimes doctors will tell you to increase this to 600 to 800 micrograms after you become pregnant. I read this at www.babycenter.com
I will be trying for another baby next year also, so I will be checking back to see what Sheila's response is. It's obviously very important and we all need a professionals opinion on this subject. Check out the babycenter.com website when you get a chance. It has an area devoted to preconception and nutrition.
Good luck to you!!!
Lisa
Cathe Friedrich
Administrator
Hi Lorrie! I'll share with you what my doctors told me when I was pregnant last year.
If you are not currently pregnant, then 400 mcg per day is recommended. But once you become pregnant, the need for folic acid doubles, and getting enough during the first three months of pregnancy is especially important because this will protect against neural tube defects or spine cord damage. It is also needed for tissue synthesis and hemoglobin production.
When I was pregnant I was taking one prenatal multi vitamin which already had 400 mcg of folic acid, plus an additional 400 mcg folic acid supplement each per day.
Good Luck!
If you are not currently pregnant, then 400 mcg per day is recommended. But once you become pregnant, the need for folic acid doubles, and getting enough during the first three months of pregnancy is especially important because this will protect against neural tube defects or spine cord damage. It is also needed for tissue synthesis and hemoglobin production.
When I was pregnant I was taking one prenatal multi vitamin which already had 400 mcg of folic acid, plus an additional 400 mcg folic acid supplement each per day.
Good Luck!