YourHealth
Advice on pregnancy and maternity care
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Supplement (tablet) to take when pregnant or breastfeeding
The Ministry of Health recommends that women planning a pregnancy, or who are in the early stages of pregnancy, access the low-cost folic acid and iodine tablets from their pharmacy (lowest cost is on prescription).
The summary table below shows what a healthy New Zealand woman planning a pregnancy, or finding herself pregnant, should access from her New Zealand pharmacy from 1 July 2010.
| Daily tablet | Amount (mcg) | At least a month before pregnancy | From confirmation of your pregnancy until the end of the 12th week of your pregnancy | Until breastfeeding is discontinued |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Folic acid – low or high dose* | 800 or 5000 (0.8 or 5 mg) | Yes | Yes | No |
| Iodine | 150 (0.15 mg) | No | Yes | Yes |
* Women at high risk of a neural tube defect (NTD) affected pregnancy (including spina bifida) are those who:
- have previously had an NTD-affected pregnancy
- have a family history of NTD, or whose partner had a family history
- are affected by a NTD themselves, or whose partner is affected by NTD
- who are on insulin treatment for diabetes
- or women taking medications known to affect folate metabolism, such as anti-convulsants, infertility treatment, vitamin A analogues used to treat acne and some anti-tumour agents (eg, carbemazepine, clomiphene, valproate, retinoids and etretinate).
Page last updated: 25 June 2010
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