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 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?
----- Original Message -----
Sent:
Tuesday, February 21, 2006 11:00 PM
Subject: RE:
[ozmidwifery] supplements during pregnancy
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.
-----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
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?
Independent
Childbirth educator
