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Suggest Ways To Prevent Spina Bifida

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Posted on Mon, 16 Mar 2015
Question: I'm six weeks pregnant and have been taking 4mg of folic acid a day as my sister was born with spina bifida and I believed this was the correct amount for someone with a direct family link- is this correct or am I taking too much??
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Answered by Dr. Shanti Vennam (31 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Can take.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for posting your query.

Since you have a family history of Spina bifida, you may take up to 5 mg. of folic acid until 10-12 weeks of pregnancy starting from three months before conception and thereupon lower the dose to 0.4 to 1 mg. throughout the rest of the pregnancy and also while breast feeding.

In addition, you may also take folate-rich foods like green vegetables, oranges, asparagus, broccoli, fortified grains etc. If the dosage exceeds the required limits, it is passed out in urine and hence there is no harm done.

Hope I have clarified your query. Please feel free to contact for further information. I will be happy to help.

regards,
Shanti.V.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Shanti Vennam

OBGYN

Practicing since :1989

Answered : 7664 Questions

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Suggest Ways To Prevent Spina Bifida

Brief Answer: Can take. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for posting your query. Since you have a family history of Spina bifida, you may take up to 5 mg. of folic acid until 10-12 weeks of pregnancy starting from three months before conception and thereupon lower the dose to 0.4 to 1 mg. throughout the rest of the pregnancy and also while breast feeding. In addition, you may also take folate-rich foods like green vegetables, oranges, asparagus, broccoli, fortified grains etc. If the dosage exceeds the required limits, it is passed out in urine and hence there is no harm done. Hope I have clarified your query. Please feel free to contact for further information. I will be happy to help. regards, Shanti.V.