How long should I take folic acid for?

You’re advised to take a daily supplement of folic acid for the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy. If you want to continue beyond this, that’s fine. You can also continue to have a diet rich in folic acid (and other good baby-growing nutrients) by eating fresh green leafy vegetables.

If you’re someone who likes to take a pregnancy supplement throughout your 9 months, that’s fine too. But just make sure it is one formulated for pregnancy as some vitamins are not advised to be taken in large amounts when you’re expecting.

If your doctor or midwife is concerned about your iron levels, it’s a good idea to take iron supplements in a multi-vitamin format rather than just as iron tablets, unless your doctor has specifically prescribed them

What if I’m already past 12 weeks pregnant?

While research shows that folic acid can reduce the risk of your baby developing brain and spinal cord defects, known as neural tube defects (NTDs), such as spina bifida. However, it is not the case at all that children born to women who have not taken folic acid will necessarily develop these issues. Instead, taking the supplement simply helps reduce the risk.

So, the message is (in case you haven’t heard it yet) don’t worry. If your pregnancy is further than 12 weeks, talk to your midwife or doctor and ask for a recommendation of a good course of multi-vitamins or dietary changes that will keep you and your baby well looked after for the rest of your pregnancy.

What if I forget to take a day’s tablet?

Again, don’t worry. You’ll be building up a good level of folic acid so if you forget to take your folic acid supplement for one or more days, it’s very unlikely to have an effect. Simply return to your one-a-day routine and don’t take several in one go to make up for lost days.