Just found out we're pregnant...

barnaby-bear

littlemissmoney wrote: »

:mad: This is really bad advice. Folic acid tablets are a MUST.

But *before* the spinal cord forms - i.e. when trying and in the first 4 weeks... after 4 weeks it's too late
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5iTKHIbXnAi7Dy235aVdZc40Z9dIg

whitewing

Would they pick up spina bifida at a 12 week scan? I just had my 12 week one; nothing abnormal found, but I didn't start taking the vitamins/folic acid until I knew I was pregnant. (I eat reasonably healthily anyway).

BeenieCat

whitewing, they look for it at the 20 week scan but please don't worry.

I didn't find out i was preg with my first til 12 weeks so took them til my scan at about 13 weeks when they said no point now. Most peoples diets will contain enough.

BUT i'm not saying it's not important to take them, prevention is better than cure, although there is no cure for spina bifida, is there?

barnaby-bear

whitewing wrote: »

Would they pick up spina bifida at a 12 week scan? I just had my 12 week one; nothing abnormal found, but I didn't start taking the vitamins/folic acid until I knew I was pregnant. (I eat reasonably healthily anyway).

It's incredibly rare - most people with reasonable diets don't need it, 15 cases in the whole of Scotland is considered a blip - mainly in very deprived areas with very poor lifestyles/diets (very high alcohol consumption leaches vitamins).... the majority don't take it early enough to make a difference and still have healthy kids... it can't hurt if you are trying for a baby but there are a lot of unplanned healthy accidents.... statistically if you aren't an alcoholic with a poor diet the probability of SB is minimal.... from what I read SB shows up pretty early in scans and there's a family genetic element (so if it isn't in your family even less chance)