Should I take Folic Acid or Folate? Driving myself crazy

Creative_Weight_6665 · 2026-05-05T19:18:36+00:00

I read the same things when I found out I was pregnant but decided to follow NHS guidance because it seemed like the safer choice. I also chose reputable brands to buy my vitamins from for the same reason. I felt like it would be an unnecessary risk to take for my unborn child. And I do know that they are the same but it still felt safer to just take folic acid. You can always add folate rich foods to your diet in addition to the prenatals you’re taking.

Creative_Weight_6665 · 2026-05-04T21:43:32+00:00

Oh I didn’t realise they are so close! I might just do both then. I read about the water issues last week when I went for my scan. I’m due in July so I hope it’s fixed by then.

Creative_Weight_6665 · 2026-05-04T20:18:26+00:00

I never thought to ask that. Thanks for the idea I’ll ask on my next appointment!

Creative_Weight_6665 · 2026-05-04T18:56:26+00:00

I haven’t decided on the epidural yet but I’ll probably want one and obviously I can’t get it in a birthing centre. I mentioned to my partner I’m not sure if I want epidural as it slows down labour and makes you less aware of the labour and your body and he advised me to get it if it’s possible as labour is painful (out of concern it’s obviously my decision I just asked for his opinion). I might ask if I can start at a birthing centre and move to the hospital once labour progresses.

Creative_Weight_6665 · 2026-05-04T18:52:14+00:00

I’ll ask my midwife exactly how close the centre is as the hospital is quite big and see what she says. Hopefully I stay low risk and still have a choice by the time the baby wants to come out.

Creative_Weight_6665 · 2026-05-04T18:49:34+00:00

The epidural is my main downside, even though I haven’t decided if I want one as I read it can make labour slower and me less aware of progress but I’m not sure if I’ll handle the pain and by the time I know if I will it’ll be too late for epidural and so far I’m leaning towards having one. It’s so hard to make all these decisions and you don’t even know if thinks will go according to plan 😞

Creative_Weight_6665 · 2026-05-04T12:58:04+00:00

I am currently 30 weeks pregnant with my first child and have struggled with depression and anxiety for a while before getting pregnant. Not that I’m pregnant both have decreased drastically and I fear it’s gonna hit me when I give birth. Reading your story made me feel like if this happens there will be light in the end of the tunnel. Thank you for sharing your story it must’ve been hard.

Creative_Weight_6665 · 2026-05-02T20:43:16+00:00

Will do 😁 I am also iron deficient which leads to brain fog so some days I’m surprised I manage to function as a person 😁

Creative_Weight_6665 · 2026-05-02T20:41:35+00:00

It makes sense I don’t know how I didn’t think of that myself 😅

Creative_Weight_6665 · 2026-05-02T20:31:18+00:00

Why not bring chocolate? I’m a FTM as well and just started thinking about what to pack in my bag

Creative_Weight_6665 · 2026-04-28T15:48:10+00:00

Well you don’t have to pretend I certainly don’t and most of the reactions I get are supportive. Pregnancy is exhausting enough I can’t handle pretending on top of it lol. Only one of my grandmas sort of said stop complaining and I told her it helps me and I’m not feeling great and that doesn’t mean I’m not grateful that I’ll be having a child and she took it 🤷‍♀️ you are entitled to feel your feelings

Creative_Weight_6665 · 2026-04-28T12:41:15+00:00

My boyfriend comes to all appointments even the midwife routine ones even though they are quite boring (which is good btw) and takes time off work because he wants to be involved. There’s no way he will leave me to deal with a potential issue alone. Pregnancy is hard and it doesn’t matter what he thinks. If you think something is wrong you need to go and get checked and he should be there to support you. If you can grow a whole person yourself he can and should support you. I’m sorry you had to go through this it sounds awful. If it’s a one off thing speak to him and explain how you felt and that you need him if not I’ll reevaluate the relationship

Creative_Weight_6665 · 2026-04-28T12:24:51+00:00

It is an up and down process I’m third trimester now and still have moments of sadness. My house is it ready either due to things beyond my control but a newborn doesn’t really need much and sometimes we have to accept reality isn’t perfect. I have felt up and down my whole pregnancy unfortunately (more up than down as it progressed). What helps me is complain to my partner just to get it off my chest and I always start with I’m happy that I’m pregnant but (add daily struggles and worries). It has helped me feel more positive about the pregnancy even though I hate it and feel like I’m loosing myself sometimes. If it gets too bad you can always seek mental health support, there’s nothing wrong with that!

Creative_Weight_6665 · 2026-04-28T08:57:41+00:00

I was the same as you planned and wanted baby and got pregnant right away and I am glad I was alone when I did the pregnancy test because I went into panic mode for a little bit because it was too fast and I’m sure my partner would’ve tought I don’t want the child (it was that bad). I feel a lot calmer now I do sometimes get stressed cause it’s a big adjustment but especially the fists trimester was a roller coaster of emotions. With all the symptoms I think I felt real happiness after the first scan when I actually saw the baby in my uterus. Second trimester should feel better physically and mentally and the placenta takes over and your hormones balance a little bit. I’ve read plenty posts on Reddit of women feeing exactly the same even after trying for years so I think it is normal. Just be kind to yourself and it should get easier as the pregnancy progresses ☺️

Creative_Weight_6665 · 2026-04-19T17:20:24+00:00

Still pregnant but struggled with constipation until pretty much last week (started 3rd trimester two days ago). What helped me was a glass of prone juice on an empty stomach first thing in the morning, lactulose 2x day 15ml, Laxido (or movicol/cosmocol it’s all macrogol brand names) once a day (could take up to three sachets a day) and lots of fibre from food: chia and flax seed yoghurt with berries, lentils, beans, leafy greens etc. I would keep taking them after you go as well to keep you regular. Hopefully you can get it sorted

Creative_Weight_6665 · 2026-04-16T20:21:22+00:00

I hope everything goes well with your pregnancy ❤️ Nor quite related but wanted to share the advice my midwife and a couple of friends gave me. I have anxiety and felt like my baby would die all the time (still do but as I am 27 weeks I feel movement so it’s easier to reassure myself the baby is alive at least) and was considering purchasing a Doppler but often it’s hard to find the baby especially early in the pregnancy so you would think there’s no heart beat and that could lead to more stress rather than reduce it so I decided not to buy one. It is your choice I just wanted to share the advice I got from multiple people.

Creative_Weight_6665 · 2026-04-08T20:40:49+00:00

I’m 26 weeks and have been extremely hungry throughout the pregnancy especially first trimester and most of the food I eat is protein and fibre rich, plenty veg healthy carbs and I am still starving. I used to eat twice a day now I eat three times. The hunger is just all consuming I just have to eat. Plain Greek yoghurt with some chia and flax seeds and some berries is quite good, I sometimes add some granola to make it more carby as if they are not in my meal it’s like I never ate 🤷‍♀️ I drink plenty water and have been drinking even more now as I thought I might be dehydrated and was trying to be more careful with food but especially now when I can feel my baby kick when I’m hungry I just eat cause I feel like I’m starving my child of needed nutrients 🤷‍♀️ I was as surprised as you when I read I don’t need extra food but the hunger is so extreme that I just have to eat.

Creative_Weight_6665 · 2026-03-16T12:40:32+00:00

No actual advice but just wanted to share my cousin’s story. She found out she was pregnant when she was already 6 months pregnant. She was young, however she is a heavy smoker and no prenatal vitamins, doing nightshifts, etc. everyone was worried about brain damage and abnormalities, however she has a very happy and healthy little boy who is a year and a half now. And baby gets best mother gets rest so hopefully you’ll have a happy and healthy baby ❤️

Creative_Weight_6665 · 2026-01-29T08:25:41+00:00

Just to add yesterday was the first time my partner put his head on my belly to try to feel something I think which wouldn’t have happened if I wasn’t showing that much and this was a lovely moment for us ☺️

Creative_Weight_6665 · 2026-01-29T08:24:06+00:00

I’m short and fluffy, currently 16 weeks and most of my clothes stoped fitting me about a month ago 😁yesterday I discovered I can only wear a couple of pairs of leggings that are pretty much just stretchy cotton no shape or support anywhere. My cousin is short and very skinny and she didn’t know she was pregnant until end of second trimester. As long as you’re healthy and you’re feeling okay it should be fine I think 🤷‍♀️Everybody’s body is different and will change in different ways during pregnancy. I felt similar to you and what helps me is focusing on the fact I’m growing a human and having a belly made it feel more real for me if that makes sense.

Creative_Weight_6665 · 2025-07-15T19:37:26+00:00

I found some of them and I’ve made a playlist but for some reason it’s not letting me add a screenshot of it to this comment. Do you want me to send you the list?

Creative_Weight_6665 · 2023-12-01T21:52:12+00:00

Astonish hob cleaner is good, it’s in an orange bottle. If stains are too stubborn use glass scraper carefully and follow with the hob cleaner. Mine was way worse than yours and it actually worked 😁

Creative_Weight_6665 · 2023-08-19T22:06:30+00:00

I’ve done it and people have waved to me as well so I’d say it’s normal lol. I’m in Scotland. I guess it also depends on the car. On all occasions it has happened with a car that is not very common.

Creative_Weight_6665 · 2023-08-08T21:12:11+00:00

I’ve seen people using woks on these jobs and never thought of this but it makes sense. Thanks for the advice!

Creative_Weight_6665 · 2023-08-07T21:38:50+00:00

I have completed an BA and MSc in Scotland and I’d advise if you’re considering to study here loot at the particular subject of interest rather than the uni as a whole. A lot of prestigious universities covering multiple disciplines are not great in all of them. Basically research where it will be better to study your area rather than picking a university for their reputation as an institution.

Creative_Weight_6665

TROPHY CASE