Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
FIONA SHANNON STARTED taking folic acid immediately when she found out she was pregnant, but the mother-of-two says it was too late and her family has now “experienced first-hand how not taking it can impact on someone’s life”.
Fiona’s second daughter, Niamh, was diagnosed with spina bifida at 24 weeks.
Shannon told TheJournal.ie that at the time of her pregnancies she didn’t know there was a link between folic acid and conditions such as spina bifida.
“It was just something you took when pregnant, I didn’t know that was the reason.”
The mum of two started taking folic acid as prescribed when she was around six weeks pregnant.
Both my pregnancies were planned, but the importance of Folic Acid wasn’t really pushed as much as it is now, or I would have been taking it well before we had conceived.
“It happens from day one or day two of conception so the importance of Folic Acid really needs to be put out there and advertised.”
She said that pregnant women she knows still aren’t being informed.
“The information should be out there – it also does no harm to you in case of an unplanned pregnancy.”
Shannon added that even now advertisements for Folic Acid on television are aimed at pregnant women.
As it stands only one in three Irish women routinely take folic acid supplements.
Doctor Cliodhna Foley-Nolan, the director of human health and nutrition at Safefood said, “Folic acid is widely available, cheap and a year’s supply can cost less than a single takeaway coffee.
One reason why women are hesitant about taking folic acid is because it indicates they are actively trying to get pregnant. This mindset needs to change with over 50% pregnancies unplanned but most of these are ‘happy accidents’.
Shannon reiterated this, saying, “Taking a folic acid tablet a day is so simple and so easy. It doesn’t mean you’re planning a baby. But it does mean when you have a baby, however far in the future that might be, you’re already helping to protect their health.”
“For a healthy mum and baby, we simply can’t get enough folic acid from our food alone even with fortified foods – taking a daily folic acid supplement of 400 mcg is the only way to go,” continued Dr Foley-Nolan.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Once again FG caught lying through their teeth..any comment Leo???????
He said it was to the best of his knowledge that is NOT making a solid claim, he is saying he could be wrong what’s the big deal????
@Declan McDermott: you would have thought he would know something like this before he goes on the national airwaves and makes a t#t of himself.
But he put it out as truth Declan. Look at our newspapers almost on a daily basis put their view out as truth. All part of the game.
Factcheck. Government ministers knowledge is not not knowing anything, when they should.
@Declan McDermott: What’s wrong is that Leo is was lying. Perhaps not a big deal in FG, eh?
Declan “to the best of my knowledge” and “as far as I know” are Leo’s stock in trade. He is a prize bullshit merchant who always covers his arse.
@ Declan..the big deal is that FG are constantly covering their asses by spinning out lies and untruths. Do you not think it might have been worth Leo’s time to check that fact out?
Excuse my language but these guys boil my blood.
@Joe Butler:
Tone it the funk down, Joe.
Naa
Maa lol
Claim: A government minister has never gone before the PAC
Verdict: Leo is talking Bollix.
Fixed that for you Journal :-)
Another Fact (only in Ireland): in every other Westminster democracy in the world EVERY minister appears before the PAC EVERY year as part of the budget process.
Except they do appear before the committees dealing with their departmental area.
ah yes the Irish solution, water down the Westminster system with a bast*rdised committee system: the departmental committee, the committee you have when have when you’re not having a committee
Grandad pampers and a couple carers to clean him up for the day make sure the aul eye isnt wondering he hasnt been able to look at anyone straight in eye since the his banking bonds matured he will play a blinder, a man of his withered words, doesnt give a donkeys ball bag
You’d have thought leo would know his facts or check stuff before he opens his mouth. Is that too much to ask considering noonan and the PAC was all talk last week
Leo spoofing, well I never!
Is this the face that launched a thousand ships?
Sweet Michael , make me immortal with a kiss….
Strange for Leo to Fib …
AND Leo has been doing so much arse licking he talks shite.
So sick of these old farts dictating to the majority of younger people and robbing us blind while they do it. Corrupt to the core and rotten out, just go already. No one believes anything you say anymore, just go away.
Nothing new about Leo talking out his arse
Leo would talk about anything except his own department to get into the news. FG deserve him, he is the Joan Briton of the FG party.
Just let him f**kin retire. He will only ever be answerable posthumously anyway.
To be honest I doubt of this guy is even gay.
Who’d have him ?.. Luckily he’s so in love with himself he’ll never be lonely.
About time too.
Good one
Leo knows very little about anything,TRUE.
Leo meant a Minister as important as Master Michael no doubt.
They can ask him about Irelands broken tax system while he’s up there too!
Politics aside I’m no fan of Michael Noonan, but by God the Man needs to look after His health as He does not look well.
There’s a very good reason why so few Ministers appear. The PAC is a body largely designed to hold accounting officers in Govt Departments and related bodies to account for spending. These people are mainly secretary generals or their equivalent as well as those officials who took major spending decisions. In other words not politicians. Nothing magical about this.
A ideal candidate for a Fg leader
Punjab Leo talking crap AGAIN
This is the most wonderful thing i have ever experienced. I visited a forum here on the internet on the 17 APRIL 2016, and i saw a marvelous testimony of Tracie Aldana from United States on the forum about the good works DR OSEMU. I never believed it, because have never heard anything about such miracle before. No body would have been able to convince me about it not until DR OSEMU did a marvelous work for me that restored my marriage of 4 years by getting back my divorced wife just as i read on the internet. Am Brooklyn Gray from USA. I was truly shocked when my wife knelt down pleading for forgiveness to accept her back. I am really short of words to use to show my appreciation to DR OSEMU. For his a God sent to me and my entire family for divine restoration of marriage. Contact him now for any kind or help via Email: Doctorokpamenspelltemple@hotmail.com, website: http://www.doctorokpamenpowerfulspelltemple.webs.com OR call and whats App him on +2348135254384. You can text/call me also for more inquiries +1 (914)-902-7078.
have your say