How much folic acid should I take if I did not take it before pregnancy

Question

Hi, I am currently 7 weeks pregnant. The pregnancy was not really planned so I did not take folic acid 3 months before I got pregnant. Should I take a larger amount to limit the risk of deficiency or is the 0.4 mg of my prenatal vitamins enough?

Naji-tom Samaha · Accepted Answer

Hello Mrs., thank you for your question! Supplementation of 0.4mg to 1mg per day is usually sufficient. I would also suggest to eat very colorful foods: include a lot of fruits and vegetables in your diet. There is no need to increase your supplementation, unless you have a history of or risk of malformation (your pharmacist will be able to confirm this). Sincerely, Tom Samaha, pharmacist