Re: [ozmidwifery] supplements during pregnancy

[Päivi Laukkanen]

Thank you for the information. Here in finland you can't get just folic acid on it's own. It always comes in a multivitamin or ironsupplement I guess. I would like to provide a reasonable product for Finnish women, so do you think, that I should seek for a plain folic acid product, and sell that in my store? Can you remember the daily recommendations for folic acid?   Päivi ----- Original Message ----- From: Nicole Carver To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2006 11:00 PM Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] supplements during pregnancy Hi Paivi,   Iron should only be taken by women who are anaemic, or you can see they are heading that way (ie Hb going down.) Of course these women need full investigation too, with iron studies and a medical examination and history. There has been some question that giving iron to women who don't need it can lead to blood which is more viscid, and reduces the blood flow through the placenta.   Folic acid on the other hand, drastically reduces the incidence of neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly, with a possible side effect of a small increase in the possibility of having twins. Women who have a history of a previous baby with a neural tube defects are prescribed higher doses. Folic acid should be taken pre-conception and for the first fourteen weeks.   I don't see the need for any other supplementation than folic acid, unless the woman has a demonstrated deficiency or they are strict vegans, in which case I believe supplementation with B12 is recommended.   Regards, Nicole. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Of Päivi Laukkanen Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 6:35 AM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: [ozmidwifery] supplements during pregnancy Hi,   I lived in US, when expecting my first one and there it was always in the magazines, that all women planning pregnancy or pregnant should take folic acid supplements. Here in Finland we don't really hear about folic acid. It is mainly the iron, that is suggested during pregnancy. Or multivitamins. Pharmaceutical companies are recommending all sorts of stuff, but what really are the important ones... What kind of supplements do you midwives recommend for your clients to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding?   Päivi Independent Childbirth educator Finland