RE: [ozmidwifery] supplements during pregnancy

[Lieve Huybrechts]

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