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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is It Necessary To Take Folic Acid Supplements During Early Pregnancy ?

Hello Doctor, my wife is 33 years old having 2 months pregnancy, we visited a nearby gynaecologist during one month pegnancy, but she does not prescribed any vitamins tablets containing folic acid . From the net we heard about the importance of folic acid preventing neural tube defects. So is the pescription given by the gynecologist is ok?
Thu, 5 Apr 2012
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,

Welcome to HCM,

Folic acid becomes necessary only if your diet is deficient in folic acid &/or there is previous history of baby born with neural tube defect. For prevention Folic acid tablet is prescribed to all pregnant women. Folic acid is present in sufficient quantity in all green leafy vegetables & citrus fruits. As most of the Indian women are anaemic, iron supplement is also given. Generally Calcium tablets are also prescribed, but you should not take it with iron, as it decreases absorption of iron, while vitamin C increases its absorption. If you consult the same Gynaecologist once again regarding your query your problem will be solved.

Wish you & your wife good Health.
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General & Family Physician Dr. Gagandeep Dhillon's  Response
Hello Abhishek
Thank you for getting in touch with us. Folic acid is usually recommended for all women of childbearing age even if they are not planning on conceiving. This is because many of the pregnancies are unplanned and folic acid plays a vital role in pregnancy. Although I am not sure why your Doctor did not prescribe folic acid, you should get in touch with him and ask for a proper explanation. Is your wife taking any other medication at the moment? Hope this helped
Cheers
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  User's Response
Dr. S.A BIJAPUR's  Response
ofcourse pregnant ladies need vitamins and folic acid,but not necessary for everyone some people are well nurished and healthy.and regarding the doctors prescription ur doctor knows well what to prescribe and what is necessary,so u do not worry about it.
  User's Response
Dr. rajesh lakhanpaul's  Response
Dear abhisekhnandy
Women have to face loss of blood every month and majority of women folk are careless about their diet this is the fact that anaemia is found in many women. At the time of pregnancy the demand is increased a lot and so it has got to be met with suppliments. In your case the pregnancy is of 2 month duration only and doctor must have made judgement that your wife is having normal hb. That is why suppliments were not prescribed. Usually the need of suppliments is felt around 4th. month of pregnancy and by that time usual medicines will be prescribed. Till then have balanced rich food to maintain proper health.
Wish you best of health.
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Is It Necessary To Take Folic Acid Supplements During Early Pregnancy ?

Hello, Welcome to HCM, Folic acid becomes necessary only if your diet is deficient in folic acid &/or there is previous history of baby born with neural tube defect. For prevention Folic acid tablet is prescribed to all pregnant women. Folic acid is present in sufficient quantity in all green leafy vegetables & citrus fruits. As most of the Indian women are anaemic, iron supplement is also given. Generally Calcium tablets are also prescribed, but you should not take it with iron, as it decreases absorption of iron, while vitamin C increases its absorption. If you consult the same Gynaecologist once again regarding your query your problem will be solved. Wish you & your wife good Health.