Folic acid or folate after baby with anencephaly?

[Dana-Alicia]

Tomorrow I'm going to see my GP because I had a surprise bfp this morning and with my background I need some medical advice. Since this baby is a surprise, I was not on folic acid at all. My first baby was also a surprise and was not on folic acid. I started as soon as I found out, at 6 weeks of pregnancy. But it was too late, at 13 weeks she was diagnosed with anencephaly. My doc adviced me to take 5mg folic acid when I get pregnant 3 months before and the first 3 months of pregnancy. But now I fear I may be too late! What would give my body a real boost? Just normal folic acid or folate? I heard folate is more natural? Would I also have to take that as 5mg? I'm trying to get a lot of folic acid, b12 and iron in via food and smoothies.

[nuthinbutpink]

I have read it occurs 23 to 26 days after conception so I don't think there is anything you can do at this point.

Hopefully lightning will not strike twice. It would be rare.

[Butterfly Spirit]

Take folate.

[essnce629]

Start taking folate asap. And try and get lots of leafy greens daily.

[Little men]

5-mthf (folate) is the most easily absorbed - natural, the body doesn't need to work hard to absorb it.

[atomic sagebrush]

folate!!!! And yes I would take at least 4000mcg (4mg)

I agree that it was probably a "lightning strikes" situation and hope and pray it doe snot happen again.

I would add in a prenatal with some B12 in it straight away if you haven't already.

[Dana-Alicia]

The doctor gave me folic acid 5 mg, at the pharmacy they didn't have folate :sigh: I didn't have time to go to the healthstore and neither tomorrow. I'll be at the hospital the entire day tomorrow. Just hope the regular folic acid, combined with B12 (I get shots every 8 weeks AS) is enough for now!

[atomic sagebrush]

Can you get folate in smaller doses and take more?

FX for good news at the hospital.

[Dana-Alicia]

Can you get folate in smaller doses and take more?

FX for good news at the hospital.

I'm sure I can yes. So I would just buy the lower dosage, but take up to 5 mg? Results at hospital were good! MRi, CT-scan, ecg, all was clear. Just not hcg levels unfortunately, very low. But as long as I don't get my AF doctor still thinks there is a possibility. So will go back in a few days to have another blood test.

[atomic sagebrush]

Yes!

One HCG test is irrelevant, we want the pattern and the doubling!

FXFXFX for good news soon. :)