When I came off the contraceptive pill several years ago, my doctor advised me to start taking Folic Acid straight away.  I heeded her advice, and took the supplement daily until I found out I was pregnant (several months later).  I then switched to pregnancy supplement, Pregnacare.  

At my 12-week scan I was delighted to discover that I was expecting twins!  My midwife prescribed Folic Acid and Iron tablets which, thanks to our wonderful NHS in the UK, I received free of charge throughout the rest of my pregnancy.  Thus, I no longer had to buy the  branded supplement, Pregnacare.

I have no doubt that taking Folic Acid and Iron contributed to my good health throughout my pregnancy, and that of my babies.  I would certainly take Folic Acid again if I was planning another child.

However, I’ve just read an article on the BBC Website, which warns that every woman of child-bearing age should take a Folic Acid supplement, even if they are not planning a family.  It reports that, according to The Scottish Spina Bifida Association, 15 babies had been born in Scotland with the condition since January – double the normal number.

Although it is commonly known that taking Folic Acid can prevent Spina Bifida, most women only start taking it when they discover they are pregnant.  Research suggests that 75 percent of cases could be prevented by the mother taking Folic Acid not only during pregnancy, but also three months before conception.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said that anyone who is not about to become pregnant could get enough Folic Acid from a balanced diet.  Good natural sources of folate (Folic Acid) include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, peas, chickpeas,brown rice, oranges and bananas, as well as fortified bread and fortified breakfast cereals.

Having said that, the FSA does advise pregnant women to take 0.4mg (400 micrograms) of Folic Acid until the 12th week of pregnancy.

However, Dr Margo Whiteford, consultant geneticist and chair of the Scottish Spina Bifida Association, said:

“The spinal cord develops within the first four weeks of pregnancy so by that stage it’s too late – if the baby’s going to have spina bifida it will already have developed it.”

You can read the full BBC article on the BBC News site here.

You can read the FSA advice on their Eat Well website here.

It is also worth noting that there has been some speculation in recent years that an increase in multiple births relates to an increase in the consumption of Folic Acid supplements.  I remember reading about this theory when I found out I was expecting twins.  As far as I’m aware, there is no concrete evidence to support such a theory.  However, having taken the supplement for ten months prior to the conception of my twins, I am certainly open to this idea.