Use of Folic Acid in Pregnancy and Pre-conception Report
NHS advice states: It's important to take a 400 micrograms folic acid tablet every day before you're pregnant and until you're 12 weeks pregnant.
Folic acid can help prevent birth defects known as neural tube defects, including spina bifida.
If you did not take folic acid before you conceived, you should start as soon as you find out you're pregnant.
Uptake of folic acid was low in Slough in 2018/ 2019. (Source Frimley LMNS Perinatal Equity and Equality plan 2022) Particularly in certain ethnic minority groups which may be contributing to poorer health outcomes in this cohort. Folic acid uptake in Slough was less than half that of Bracknell Forest
Almost a third of all pregnancies within the Frimley area were in Slough – 72% of which were to non-UK born parents.
Frimley’s perinatal equity strategy recognises the importance of working in partnership with local women and their families to address health inequalities.
5 key findings and themes
- Of the women who took folic acid in Slough, 69% began taking it when they found out they were pregnant or after their first midwife appointment. There was a lack of awareness about the benefits of taking it during pre-conception and conception with only 31% beginning then.
- For women who did not take folic acid during pregnancy, the reasons were varied. The common themes were, mis-understanding the benefits or lack of awareness.
- Very few people (2) had heard about the offer of free vitamins that contain folic acid for pregnant women. This was the number one thing that women thought would encourage folic acid uptake in their community.
- Women trusted health professionals the most when considering information about healthy pregnancy. However, many felt the message about folic acid could be delivered in community settings as well as healthcare settings.
- Getting information to people considering pregnancy in the target groups could be challenging but the women we spoke to made valuable suggestions included in the following recommendations.
