When to stop taking folic acid

tangud

Hi all,

I'm not sure if I'm supposed to stop taking it on the day I am officially 12 weeks (according to the counting from last period calculation) or at the end of my 12th week??? Anyone know exactly?

tgortney

I thought you were supposed to/it's recommended to take prenatals all the way into breast feeding (if you plan to). Have you had your first prenatal appointment? I feel like that's something to ask your doctor because everyone's nutritional needs are different.

kbrands7

Just keep taking it. It's helpful all the way through pregnancy and breastfeeding-- a lot of OBs recommend that women simply take a prenatal (or vitamin with significant folic acid) during the years they plan to have a child/children.

lalala2004

You don't stop taking it. Everyone needs folic acid, pregnant or not. Pregnant women are just recommended to have more of it. Prenatal vitamins are not called "1st trimester vitamins".

yogahh

Why would you stop? Was it a dr recommendation?

DutchLucyLu

Over here it's recommended to use a folic acid supplement during at least the first ten weeks of your pregnancy, starting (if possible) a full month before you conceive. 

I'm with PPs, though, why would you stop taking it? They're good for baby and good for mummy, and prenatal vitamins contain a lot more than just folic acid. On days when I'm not eating much due to morning sickness (which doesn't necessarily go away after the first trimester for everyone), I feel much better knowing that I've at least gotten my prenatals in.

mrstmoose

Keep taking it, you will need it through breast feeding. 

wsgjmw1

I'm going to take a pre natal my entire pregnancy.

sillyfox

Last pregnancy I took prenatals until I quit breastfeeding at 6 months postpartum. Plan to do the same this time.

countrygrl5533

Agreeing

kbrands7 said:

Just keep taking it. It's helpful all the way through pregnancy and breastfeeding-- a lot of OBs recommend that women simply take a prenatal (or vitamin with significant folic acid) during the years they plan to have a child/children.

This. I started taking a prenatal about a year before I got pg with my DD. I still took it in between stopping bf'ing her and getting pg with this one.