Question about folic acid

KLResq

 When I met with my OB, he gave me a goody bag filled with different prescription varieties of pre-natals.  They all have about 1-1.2 mg of folic acid.  However, he also wrote a script for plain folic acid tablets, of 1 mg each, which I got filled yesterday.

 I googled last night and saw that 1 mg from the prenatals should be sufficient, so I don't know why he would ultimately be having me take 2 mg a day.  Has anyone's OB prescribed separate folic acid tabs beyond the prenatals? (This is my first pregnancy, I am 27, and have no family history of neural tube defects).

 I will ask my doctor when I meet with him on Monday, but I would like to start taking them tonight if other people's physicians have done the same thing. Otherwise, I'll just hold off to confirm his instructions on Mon.

Sarahp63

I believe that folic acid also has something to do with blood flow. Doctors prescribe it on top of your PNV to help with blood clotting disorders, etc. It won't harm your baby, so I would say its good. My doctor also prescribed extra for me.

KLResq

Ok.  Thanks so much. I just didn't want to the 1st woman in the world to o/d on folic acid. lol

itsmevkb

I take about 4mg of folic acid everday.  I was prescribed that because I have the MTHFR gene mutation which effects how my body metabolizes folic acid and like the pp said, it can effect blood clotting and I've had issues with that.  If you're going to be taking extra folic acid you may want to ask your doc if you also need to take extra B vitamins (I do).  The two sort of go hand in hand.

hbkises

my OB said if your diet's PERFECT and no one's is, that you should be fine without Folic Acid but since no one's is perfect, she always recommends the extra folic acid..so lol if you OD, I'll be right behind ya

Angel002

HI KLResq,

My dr perscribed me extra folic acid also.  They did some extra blood work due to my mutliple miscarriages and found some sort of gene thing also and said it's not 100% proven yet but they really really believe that the extra folic acid helps that gene defect.  Something about only one of my chromosones showed it not two.

Anyway, he said you can never have to much 

ameliasmom

I have an additional prescript as well.  You are not alone.

Scout05

Sorry, I'm lurking.

I am on 2 mg FA, a PNV w. 800 mcg FA and Folgard (which is an additional 2 mg FA along with B-12 and B-6) all prior to ttc again because of my MTHFR (a clotting disorder.)

My RE had me taking this even before that dx had come back, though, because she feels you just can't get too much FA into your system.

So I think your doc is doing the right thing. You need those folates!

desy_dawn

I am on 5mg of folic acid a day including my PNV.  It seems like so much!

seanglin

a deficiency in folic acid can lead to spina bifida in a developing embryo.  scary, i know, but just take your prenatals and extras and you'll be all set!

Emjay221

There were several prenatal prescriptions samples in my bag also, but have you seen the prices on them?  He probably gave you the scrip since most people don't pay for those scrips and just get OTC prenatals. 

The ones they put in my bag?  100$ for a month!