[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
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 LaukkanenSent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 6:35 AMTo: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.auSubject: [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
Re: [ozmidwifery] supplements during pregnancy
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 LaukkanenSent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 6:35 AMTo: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.auSubject: [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
RE: [ozmidwifery] supplements during pregnancy
Hoi Païvi, What I read through the time about folic acid is that only women that took chemical anticonception for a long time need folic acid. They don’t absorb it well and have low levels when they stop with the anticonception. So you can make a difference with women who didn’t take anticonception for a while. I also read, but don’t ask me where J that taking folic acide doesn’t reduce the incidence of neural tube defects, but with normal levels a womens body works better, so also the natural selection, so the affected foetus is spontaneously aborted. So I stimulate women that took oral anticonception to wait a while before getting pregnant and to supplement with folic acid. If thay come on preconceptional consultation I do a blood test and test for folic acid an iron and never give supplements without reason. In the books of Michel Odent you also can find that a drop in hb level and iron after 28 weeks is very normal. It seems that women who don’t have the drop are more at risk for premature delivery. So I never give supplementation of iron, except there is a real severe anaemia. You always have to keep in mind that also bacteries grow on iron. Around birth a woman is vulnarable to infections so it is normal for a body to protect itself by lowering the iron reserves. I recommend healthy food, walking and swimming and it works. Kind regards Lieve Lieve Huybrechts vroedvrouw 0477740853 -Oorspronkelijk bericht- Van: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Namens Päivi Laukkanen Verzonden: dinsdag 21 februari 2006 22:39 Aan: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Onderwerp: Re: [ozmidwifery] supplements during pregnancy 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
Re: [ozmidwifery] supplements during pregnancy
Very interesting Lieve. This is exactly why I love this list. I would never get these answers anywhere else... Päivi - Original Message - From: Lieve Huybrechts To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 12:32 AM Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] supplements during pregnancy Hoi Païvi, What I read through the time about folic acid is that only women that took chemical anticonception for a long time need folic acid. They dont absorb it well and have low levels when they stop with the anticonception. So you can make a difference with women who didnt take anticonception for a while. I also read, but dont ask me where J that taking folic acide doesnt reduce the incidence of neural tube defects, but with normal levels a womens body works better, so also the natural selection, so the affected foetus is spontaneously aborted. So I stimulate women that took oral anticonception to wait a while before getting pregnant and to supplement with folic acid. If thay come on preconceptional consultation I do a blood test and test for folic acid an iron and never give supplements without reason. In the books of Michel Odent you also can find that a drop in hb level and iron after 28 weeks is very normal. It seems that women who dont have the drop are more at risk for premature delivery. So I never give supplementation of iron, except there is a real severe anaemia. You always have to keep in mind that also bacteries grow on iron. Around birth a woman is vulnarable to infections so it is normal for a body to protect itself by lowering the iron reserves. I recommend healthy food, walking and swimming and it works. Kind regards Lieve Lieve Huybrechts vroedvrouw 0477740853 -Oorspronkelijk bericht-Van: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Namens Päivi LaukkanenVerzonden: dinsdag 21 februari 2006 22:39Aan: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.auOnderwerp: Re: [ozmidwifery] supplements during pregnancy 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 LaukkanenSent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 6:35 AMTo: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.auSubject: [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
RE: [ozmidwifery] supplements during pregnancy
Yes this is certainly very interesting. A friend of mine is pregnant and self-prescribed Blackmore’s pregnancy and breastfeeding supplement. Doing the shared care option and GP advised that she change to Elevit (which she did) as “it is the only supplement that has been researched to be of benefit to baby”. This suggested to me that any “research” that was indeed done on Elevit would have been done by its big rich pharmaceutical manufacturer. What are the benefits of Elevit over say Blackmore’s or any other supplement? Are they necessary at all in the course of a healthy pregnancy? I read in some of Elevit’s own advertising that other supplements contain fish oil which has not been proven to be safe during pregnancy so Elevit does not contain fish oil… Julia (1st year BMid Student as of next week! Yay!) -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Päivi Laukkanen Sent: Wednesday, 22 February 2006 9:57 AM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] supplements during pregnancy Very interesting Lieve. This is exactly why I love this list. I would never get these answers anywhere else... Päivi - Original Message - From: Lieve Huybrechts To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 12:32 AM Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] supplements during pregnancy Hoi Païvi, What I read through the time about folic acid is that only women that took chemical anticonception for a long time need folic acid. They don’t absorb it well and have low levels when they stop with the anticonception. So you can make a difference with women who didn’t take anticonception for a while. I also read, but don’t ask me where J that taking folic acide doesn’t reduce the incidence of neural tube defects, but with normal levels a womens body works better, so also the natural selection, so the affected foetus is spontaneously aborted. So I stimulate women that took oral anticonception to wait a while before getting pregnant and to supplement with folic acid. If thay come on preconceptional consultation I do a blood test and test for folic acid an iron and never give supplements without reason. In the books of Michel Odent you also can find that a drop in hb level and iron after 28 weeks is very normal. It seems that women who don’t have the drop are more at risk for premature delivery. So I never give supplementation of iron, except there is a real severe anaemia. You always have to keep in mind that also bacteries grow on iron. Around birth a woman is vulnarable to infections so it is normal for a body to protect itself by lowering the iron reserves. I recommend healthy food, walking and swimming and it works. Kind regards Lieve Lieve Huybrechts vroedvrouw 0477740853 -Oorspronkelijk bericht- Van: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Namens Päivi Laukkanen Verzonden: dinsdag 21 februari 2006 22:39 Aan: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Onderwerp: Re: [ozmidwifery] supplements during pregnancy 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: ozmidwifer
RE: [ozmidwifery] supplements during pregnancy
Hi Paivi, I looked up the dose in 'A Midwife's Handbook' by Constance Sinclair, 2004. She recommends 400ug folic acid daily from 6-8 weeks prior to conception (presumably continue to 14 weeks post conception) and 4mg for women who have a past or family history of neural tube defects. I think it would be an important product to have in your store. Nicole. -Original Message-From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Of Päivi LaukkanenSent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 8:39 AMTo: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.auSubject: Re: [ozmidwifery] supplements during pregnancy 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 LaukkanenSent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 6:35 AMTo: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.auSubject: [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
Re: [ozmidwifery] supplements during pregnancy
It may also have to do with completely different diets. In Australia it might be due to the fact that they have found Australian women are lacking greatly in folic acid as we do not eat enough foods that contain folic acid. Whereas in Finland they may have found iron for the majority of pregnant women is the problem (high fish diet, low in red meat?). From what I was told to take (still pregnant but past 12 week stage) th dose was .05mg I think? Amanda - Original Message - From: Päivi Laukkanen To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 8:08 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] supplements during pregnancy 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 LaukkanenSent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 6:35 AMTo: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.auSubject: [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 No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.12/266 - Release Date: 2/21/2006 No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 268.1.1/270 - Release Date: 2/27/2006