Why folic acid is important before pregnancy

One end of the neural tube forms the brain, and the rest of forms the spinal cord. By week six of a pregnancy, the openings in the neural tube usually close. Neural tube defects happen when one of the openings in the spinal cord does not close properly during early pregnancy. This leads to spina bifida or anencephaly. Spina bifida results when the spine does not develop normally. NTDs happen 25 to 29 days after conception, before many women even realize they are pregnant.

Most healthy women should supplement their diet with 0. You can usually find it in a daily multivitamin. This impairment can affect many aspects of health, including organ function. During pregnancy, a person needs more folic acid than usual because folic acid also helps the fetus grow and develop. One of its most important roles is preventing neural tube defects , including spina bifida and anencephaly. Spina bifida is a condition in which the bones of the spinal cord do not fully close.

It can cause a range of disabilities that may affect development, mobility, and overall health. A baby with anencephaly either does not develop a brain, or the brain is very underdeveloped. In almost all cases, anencephaly will be fatal — either in the womb or very shortly after birth. Some research also suggests that folic acid may reduce the risk of pregnancy complications such as preterm labor, problems with the development of the placenta, and other birth abnormalities, such as cleft palate and heart disease.

Anyone who wishes to become pregnant should start taking folic acid supplements before they start trying. The reason for this is that neural tube defects occur early in development, often before a person knows that they are pregnant.

As about half of pregnancies are unplanned, experts recommend that anyone who can get pregnant take folic acid supplements. Doing so ensures that even if a pregnancy is a surprise, the likelihood of neural tube defects is low. Folic acid is water soluble, which enables the body to metabolize it quickly. For this reason, those taking folic acid supplements need to take one every day. There is no need to take the supplement at a specific time of day or with a meal.

However, developing a habit, such as taking a prenatal vitamin every morning with breakfast, may make it easier to remember to take folic acid.

The CDC note that in most cases, each folic acid pill or multivitamin contains mcg of folic acid. A person can check the supplement label to confirm this. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ACOG recommend taking a daily supplement containing mcg of folic acid, regardless of how much folate a person gets in their diet. A person should not take more than 1, mcg of folic acid per day unless their doctor recommends otherwise.

Too much folic acid may conceal symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency. Foods that are naturally high in folate, the natural form of folic acid, include :. Taking adequate amounts of folic acid before and during pregnancy may help decrease your risk of:. If pregnancy is in your future, consider adding a prenatal vitamin to your daily routine. Prenatal vitamins are available in capsule, tablet, and chewable forms.

To avoid stomach upset, take prenatal vitamins with food. Always talk to your doctor about taking the correct dose of prenatal vitamin because taking too many supplements can be toxic for your baby-to-be.

You should also add foods fortified with folic acid to your diet. By then, it may be too late. Folic acid and folate are two forms of vitamin B9. However, they do not have the same effects on your health. Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is a water-soluble vitamin that has many important functions in your body.

Here are 15 healthy foods that are high…. Prenatal nutrition can be confusing. This article explains which supplements are believed to be safe during pregnancy and which ones you should avoid. Learn more about when to use them…. Normally, you don't need extra vitamin A while breastfeeding, though you'll want to continue taking your prenatal vitamin. The best way to reduce the risk of your baby developing a neural tube defect is to take daily folic acid supplements from 12 weeks before conception until at least 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Adding a folic acid supplement to your diet when pregnant reduces the risk of your baby being born with a neural tube defect. You should take a supplement with micrograms of folic acid per day from 12 weeks before you become pregnant through to the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Folic acid supplements are available over the counter from pharmacies at varying doses. Look for supplements that contain at least micrograms of folic acid. Multi-vitamin supplements generally contain less. It is also important to eat healthy foods that contain folate including green leafy vegetables, broccoli, oranges, avocado, or fortified breads and cereals.

You can read more about what foods to eat when pregnant here. You should talk to your doctor, pharmacist or a dietitian before starting to take any new supplements. Generally when taken orally, and at appropriate doses, folic acid is safe. If you take too much folic acid your body gets rid of any excess in your urine. If you think you are having a severe allergic reaction call immediately.