Folic Acid Q
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Category: Planning Pregnancy (trying for baby)
Forum Name: Planning Pregnancy (trying for baby)
Forum Description: Trying to get pregnant? Going through fertility treatment? Just planning your first or second child? There are many people out there in the same boat to help and listen and share with
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=19073
Printed Date: 19 August 2025 at 5:27pm
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Topic: Folic Acid Q
Posted By: Brenna
Subject: Folic Acid Q
Date Posted: 12 July 2008 at 7:23pm
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When I was pregnant with Brenna I took folic acid once I found out (4 wks) until 12 wks.
I've noticed few people mention taking folic acid In the months leading up to TTC. Why is this important? Should I do this next time? -------------  My beautiful 2 girls...nearly 4 and 13 months
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Replies:
Posted By: Bubbaloo
Date Posted: 12 July 2008 at 7:25pm
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It is recommended to start taking folic acid while you a trying for baby for the same reasons as while your pregnant I think it's because most women a low in folic acid ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  Was danni-chick Mum to James My Angel 28/07/08 |
Posted By: katie1
Date Posted: 12 July 2008 at 7:26pm
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I am pretty sure the recommendation from doctors etc is to take it for three months prior to conception. I didn't want to take elevit tablets for ages because of the price but I took just normal folic acid tablets from the chemist - I think they cost about $8.00 for three months worth.
The reason it is recommended is for healthy spine development etc and it plays a major part in reducing risks of spinobifoda. |
Posted By: Brenna
Date Posted: 12 July 2008 at 7:30pm
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Thanks, I knew the reasons for taking it once pregnant but never realised that they also recommend to take it before so I thought there might be another reason.
Kath, are you taking elevit now that you are preggy? Do you think it's worth it? I took nothing while pregnant with Brenna (apart from folic acid for the 1st tri) so I wonder if it's worth paying so much for elevit considering I didn't take it last time... ------------- My beautiful 2 girls...nearly 4 and 13 months
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Posted By: Redbedrock
Date Posted: 12 July 2008 at 8:03pm
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The other reason for taking it pre natally is so that you have good levels in your body right from conception, this reduces the changes of a deficit causing neural tube problems right at the start ------------- http://www.babysfirstsite.com"> 
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Posted By: Millie1976
Date Posted: 12 July 2008 at 8:45pm
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I started taking Elevit 3 months prior to both pregnancies and right through until baby came along. I then switched to Complan powder. ------------- Sebastien 2 years old Olivier 3 3/4 years old |
Posted By: katie1
Date Posted: 12 July 2008 at 8:53pm
| Yes am still taking elevit and did last time too. I have been pretty good both times but who knows if that is why?!? You can get it off ferrit for quite a bit cheaper and I did that. If you didn't take it last time and were good then you probably don't need to. So hard to know isn't it? All the marketing is just confusing! |
Posted By: KH25
Date Posted: 12 July 2008 at 9:57pm
Yeah Folic Acid is recommended 3 months prior to conception (not that you can predict when you'll conceive lol) I read an article recently that said woman who took it 12 months prior to conceiving were 80% less like to deliver prematurely. So I am taking them now (when I remember  )------------- Kelly, mum to DD, 19Jun06 (26wks 1lb15oz) DS1, 24Oct10 (32wks 4lb11oz) and DS2, 31Dec11 (32wks, 4lb11) http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: KH25
Date Posted: 12 July 2008 at 9:58pm
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Oh and I took Elevit from about 12 weeks with Ash on recommendation from my MW. Helps with iron levels etc. But there is another brand (Blackmores I think??) which apparently have all the same stuff in it but is alot cheaper. ------------- Kelly, mum to DD, 19Jun06 (26wks 1lb15oz) DS1, 24Oct10 (32wks 4lb11oz) and DS2, 31Dec11 (32wks, 4lb11) http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Brenna
Date Posted: 12 July 2008 at 10:13pm
Does ayone know if folic acid tablets expire?? I just found quite a few left over from .... Feb 2006  . Would it be OK to use these???------------- My beautiful 2 girls...nearly 4 and 13 months
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Posted By: WestiesGirl
Date Posted: 12 July 2008 at 11:39pm
I started taking Elevit about 3 months ago. We obviously didnt know when we were going to conceive but thought even if it took longer than expected at least I was getting a good dose of vits and minerals etc in preparation for carrying baby 
As for expiry dates, personally I wouldnt take them if they are from 2006. I think most vits last 2 - 3 years in the right environment. Edited for spelling ------------- Our Angel July 08  Gone but not forgotten
And to complete our family, our princess has arrived 
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Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 13 July 2008 at 8:29am
| Elevit is a bit of a waste of money. All you need is a script from the docs for folic acid ($3) and a good general multivitamin. Works out cheaper than elevit thats for sure |
Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 13 July 2008 at 2:04pm
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I got mine thru my Dr $3 for 3 months supply much cheaper than Elevit.
My Dr recommended start taking them as soon as I come of the BCP they're aren't effective taken together. and up to 3 months before conception and after wards. The main reason is the neural tube forms in the first 6 weeks of gestation when most woman don't even know they are pregnant, and folic acid helps ensure healthy development. and reduced chance of spina bifida and other neural tube defects. Get it thru your Drs on prescription then at the cheap price doesn't really matter how long you take it for. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">   [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: Red
Date Posted: 13 July 2008 at 5:00pm
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Yep Elevit is a bit of a rip i reckon - there are other alternatives out there just as good and heaps cheaper. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Mrs_B
Date Posted: 13 July 2008 at 5:44pm
| Hey how did you get it for $3?? I paid $9.90 at the chemist with a script. Do you have to have a community services card?? |
Posted By: WestiesGirl
Date Posted: 13 July 2008 at 6:20pm
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NZ is very lucky to have govt subsidised Folic Acid (in fact for a lot of medications and vits). If you can get it on script for $3 then go for it I say. ------------- Our Angel July 08 Gone but not forgotten
And to complete our family, our princess has arrived
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Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 13 July 2008 at 7:46pm
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I got mine on script from my MW once I found out I was pregnant. This time I asked my dr for a script before we moved up here so I can start taking it now. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 14 July 2008 at 8:19pm
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I got mine on presciption from the Drs, I don't have community services, 800mcg 90 of them so 3 months worth. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> [/url] Angel June 2012 |