I am so confused please help me, how many micrograms of folic acid should you take before you get pregnant?

Question

Okay, please hear me out I had an incomplete miscarriage at 8 weeks(3 weeks ago) followed by a D&C procedure. When I found out that I was pregnant I was barely a week, then went to the pharmacy in the Kaiser clinic and asked for prenatal vitamins, since it was my 1st time I asked the pharmacist for helped, and she gave me some.

They are called "Pre-natal vitamins, multi vitamin-mineral complex dietary supplement" and have 800 mcg of Folic acid. I just read on babycenter.com that taking a multi-vitamin with too much Vitamin A can cause birth defects. So, my question is should I just take a separate prenatal vitamin, and then another vitamin for only folic acid? Or are these okay that I'm taking.

Ladies, before getting pregnant what vitamins did you take, and how many mcg of folic acid?

Answer 1

Doctors suggest you take A PRENATAL VITAMIN once a day 6 months before trying to concieve.

Don't over do it with multiple vitamins. Just stick with the prenatal.

It won't cause any birth defects...

Answer 2

400 mcg of FA is recommended for pre-conception.  I only take one pre-natal vitamin daily and sometimes I forget.  I use the primacare one.  I have also been told that 2 flinstones and an extra folic acid is fine as well and makes you less nauseous.

Answer 3

First, I am really sorry for your loss.  I had a MC 9 years ago and it still is a painful memory.

Second, I take the Rainbow Light 1/day combo pack (http://www.rainbowlight.com/Categories~C...  .  It gives me a total of 1000mcg folic acid, as well as all the other vitamins and minerals I need.  My doctor said these vitamins were of good quality.  So far, I'm happy with the choice.  :-)