methylfolate. Worried about my vitamins! Folic acid

[Cuppppatea]

I was taking pregnacare for three months before my first cycle of ivf but realised (especially after reading it starts with the egg) that the supplements are not sufficient for someone undergoing ivf or over 40 trying to conceive.

I started taking a b12 supplement containing folic acid but realised it was only 400ug and you need 800 - I upped this dose and have been on 800 for about two months but now I’m freaking out as I’ve just dipped into the book again and I should have been taking methylfolate. This whole thing is such a minefield 🥺 I’ve ordered some but my next ivf treatment starts in a month.

Reassurance and advice please xx

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Cuppppatea. Unless your clinic advises about vitamins, usually a good quality multivitamin, plus Folic acid and Vitamin D is usually ok. Check with your GP or clinic. Good luck. Diane

[HoneyB11]

I was taking methylfolate, conceive plus multivitamin, vitamin D, Optibac and bioquinone (coQ10) - who knows whether it all makes a difference or not as I had one unsuccessful fresh transfer, then a miscarriage from natural conception and now I’m 6 weeks pregnant from my second round of ivf! But it made me feel better taking it so I carried on though it’s expensive to keep up!

[Trytryandtryagain84]

I would try not to worry. I don't think there's any (or much) clinical evidence on the recommendations in the book otherwise it would be standard protocol in all clinics. My sense is the book gives you something you can control and feel like you are doing something which can be a good thing when you feel out of control! For what its worth on folic acid I have now been prescribed a higher dose (you can only get it on prescription in the UK) but that was post conception so implantation worked with a lower dose of folic acid.

[Eggfreezer2015]

A friend of mine got naturally pregnant at 46 and did not realise until she was 9 weeks and was therefore on no supplements. Don’t stress about it, you’re doing your best based on what you know. As you gain more knowledge you add that to the mix. Best wishes xxx

[Wishinandahopin]

methyfolate is only important in that form if you have the MTHFR gene mutation- I have and so have to take methylfolate. However for everyone else folic acid is fine and important! You can always change it next time it runs out if you’re worried.

[Doodlebug23]

I’m 47 and my clinic on recommend a standard pregnancy supplement. I did just google methylfolate and read it takes 2-4 weeks to hand an effect so if you feel better taking it it should have effect in time for your round ☺️

I’m going to do some more reading about it too cause I’ve read it can help anxiety and mood too….

[Cuppppatea in reply to Doodlebug23]

Thank you. Definitely starting that today . It’s not great when the anxiety takes hold at the moment 😵‍💫

[Olive12345]

If it helps, I’ve been pregnant four times naturally on pregnacare (one is a 6 year old human) and had two failed rounds of ivf (no blastocysts) using all the supplements. Now I’ve written it down I’m thinking maybe I should go back to tried and tested pregnacare! Just get as many nutrients as you can inside yourself and be kind to yourself! Like Wishinandahopin said, methylfolate is only an issue if you have the MTHFR mutation. I’ve been reading that choline is very important (found in eggs and I think it was red meat) and in the us it’s recommended for pregnant people but not in the uk. In farming, animals are given calcium to help with eggs but there doesn’t seem to be any research in humans. Not sure if any of this is helpful, but I think focusing on vitamins in pregnacare and food is a great strategy! Good luck!!