Folic acid supplements | Right Decisions

Please update your RDS mobile app to version 4.7.1

We are pleased to advise that deep linking capability, enabling users to directly download individual mobile toolkits, has now been released on the RDS mobile app. When you install the update, you will see that each toolkit has a small QR code icon the header area beside the search icon – see screenshot below. Clicking on this icon will open up a window with a full-size QR code and the alternative of a short URL for sharing with users. Instructions are provided.

You may need to actively install the update to install RDS app version 4.7.1 to see this improvement. Installing this update is also strongly recommended to get the full benefits of the new contingency arrangements – specifically, that if the RDS website should fail, you will still be able to download new mobile app toolkits.

To check your current RDS version, click on the three dots bottom right of the RDS app screen. This takes you to a “More” page where you will see the version number. To install latest updates:

On iPhones – go to the Apple store, click on your profile icon top right, scroll down to see the apps waiting to be updated and update the RDS app.

On Android phones – these can vary, but try going to the Google Play store, click on your profile icon top right, click on “Manage apps and device”, select and update the RDS app.

Please get in touch with ann.wales3@nhs.scot with any questions.

Women should take a daily 0.4 mg (400 micrograms) folic acid supplement during the time they are trying to conceive and until the end of 12th week of pregnancy. They should also eat more foods containing folate (the natural form of folic acid).
All women should take 10 micrograms vitamin D throughout pregnancy and when breast feeding. ‘Healthy start’ vitamins which contain folic acid, vitamin C and vitamin D are distributed via various methods depending on place of residence (community pharmacies/dispensing practices/sexual health services or via midwives and health visitors).

The following groups of women are at an increased risk of having a baby with a neural tube disorder and these women should ask their GP for a higher dose of 5 mg, which is only available on prescription
- women with a neural tube defect
- women with partners who have a neural tube defect
- women with a previous pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect
- women (or partners) with a family history of a neural tube defect
- women with a pregnancy BMI >30 kg/m²
- women with diabetes
- women with coeliac disease
- women on anti-epileptic drugs (AED) medication
- women with haemolytic anaemia (including haemoglobinopathies), sickle cell anaemia or thalassaemia traits

The RCOG patient information leaflet ‘Healthy eating and vitamin supplements in pregnancy’ provides advice on using vitamin supplements before and during pregnancy.

Last reviewed: 30/09/2021

Next review date: 30/09/2025

Author(s): West of Scotland Managed Clinical Network for Sexual Health Clinical Guidelines Group .

Version: 3.1

Approved By: West of Scotland Managed Clinical Network in Sexual Health