Confused..and a few Qs..

[flowerlily]

I was meaning to ask about this a few days ago, but only had the time to ask now. I got Pregnacare (3m worth) and I asked the pharmacist if I can take it in addition to the folic acid I'm taking (2×400mg) and she said no you shouldn't be taking that much to begin with, cause the recommended amount is only1×400mg a day, and that's what it says on the bottle. And if I want to start the prenatals I need to stop taking it first.
But I think I read on here that we can take up to 1800-2000mg, is this correct and safe as I can't find it.
If the amount I'm taking is safe can I also add the Pregnacare as it has 400mg of folic acid, (I really trust this site).
With my 2Ds's I only used Pregnacare the whole time even during BF.

Also, are essential oils (lavender, peppermint, rosemary) safe during early pregnancy as I have recently discovered them (during the drama with the hair) and been using them diluted with carrier oils (almon, olive oil, coconut oil) as hot oil treatment for hair, but not since the BFP, and would love love love to use it again as I'm seeing great results!
Thanks.

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[LilithWiser1979]

Lavender should never be used around prepubescent boys. It interferes with their testosterone development (or so I've been told.) I would hold off on the lavender oil until you know you're not carrying a boy.

[The Anchor]

1600 - 2000 mcg of FA is fine, and recommended for swaying. Up to 4000 has been recommended for those with a history of spina bifida. So don't worry, you're not overdosing.

I have heard that peppermint oil is actually an irritant for skin. That tingly feeling you get is not good!

peppermint - Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary: Cosmetics Cop Expert Advice

[flowerlily]

Ah oh..::..so, the rosemary only then.

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[atomic sagebrush]

First of all the dose is in MICROGRAMS, not milligrams.

Whatever pharmacists, doctors, nurses say on the matter (just going to be blunt here) is irrelevant. They don't know what they're talking about on this one and this is confirmed by the amount of people who are given absolutely wrong info by medical professionals all the time regarding folic dose (mixing up mg and mcg which happens at least once a month!!) Most sources for prenatal health now recommend 800-1000 mcg for pregnancy and that is NOT in gals who were just on a restricted diet.

I have done 6 years of research into folic acid and I would not be telling you guys to do anything that I did not feel to be safe based on the research that I have done.

I think it is fine for you to either add in the Pregnacare or to drop one of the 400 mcg so you are taking the same amount. Take this level till the end of the first trimester and then gradually wean off. do not continue the higher dose folic into the late 2nd, early third trimester because it's been linked to asthma when taken at that point in pregnancy, but not earlier.

[atomic sagebrush]

I would really really advise against the essential oils. We just don't know what the effects are and whether they are safe. Like Lilith mentions lotions containing lavender are not safe (and I'm not sure for girls either because we need certain levels of hormones) and herbs from the mint family ahve been used to cause miscarriage since the MIddle ages. Not worth the risk!

[atomic sagebrush]

Ah oh..::..so, the rosemary only then.

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No, just because we don't off hand know of anything wrong with it, the fact that the other oils are known to cause issues is a pretty sure sign that it is best to avoid all of them just in case.

[atomic sagebrush]

Just looked up rosemary and it raises blood pressure and can cause contractions when absorbed by the skin.

[laVieEnRose]

No essential oils are permitted to be used on pregnant ladies in the first trimester. That is the health and safety guidelines for beauty and massage therapists. I would be cautious and not use any for the first 3 months to be on the safe side. You can find more info on the net with regards to which ones are safe during pregnancy and very importantly the correct dosage.

However, your pregnancy hormones will soon be good for your hair :-)

[flowerlily]

Thank you so much Atomic for the correction re the mcg and mg and I hope I haven't confused anyone with that. And that's what it says (mcg not mg) on both Pregnacare and FA. (Should have gone to Specsavers, lol).

And the only reason I asked was because I knew I read it on here and thought it was only before conception (the higher dose) and that we should start prenatals once we get BFP and couldn't find exactly where and just wanted some reassurance on that.
But now I know when we should wean off..thanks.

So far, I haven't used any of the essential oils, ok, I wanted to use the rosemary and when I opened the bottle..I just couldn't stand the smell of it let alone having it on my hair for days! Yuck! Or maybe it was some God sent thing that I should stay clear out of it, now you mentioned the risks it carries!

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