what is folic acid used for during pregnancy?
40775
Why folic acid is important before and during pregnancy During early development, folic acid helps form the neural tube. Folic acid is very important because it can help prevent some major birth defects of the baby's brain (anencephaly) and spine (spina bifida).
1451160
Take 400 Micrograms of Folic Acid Every Day Folic acid is a B vitamin. If a woman has enough folic acid in her body at least 1 month before and during pregnancy, it can help prevent major birth defects of the baby's brain and spine.
757
You should take a 400 micrograms folic acid tablet every day before you're pregnant and until you're 12 weeks pregnant. Folic acid can help prevent birth defects known as neural tube defects, including spina bifida.
1165507
['Contact your Doctor or Midwife as soon as possible. ... ', 'Take a folic acid supplement every day. ... ', 'Change lifestyle habits that can harm your baby. ... ', 'Eat a healthy diet and avoid certain foods. ... ', 'Stay fit with exercise. ... ', 'Watch what medicines you take. ... ', 'Rest and relax when you can. ... ', "Telling people you're pregnant."]
486721
If you have the right level of folic acid in your body before you get pregnant, it reduces the risk of the baby developing neural tube defects by up to 70%. Neural tube defects are problems with the brain or spinal cord, including spina bifida.
625307
You usually take folic acid once a day, but sometimes you only need to take it once a week. Most adults and children can take folic acid. If you're pregnant or trying for a baby, it's recommended you take folic acid until you're 12 weeks pregnant.
39853
Folic acid is used to treat or prevent folic acid deficiency. It is a B-complex vitamin needed by the body to manufacture red blood cells. A deficiency of this vitamin causes certain types of anemia (low red blood cell count).
1348619
Your body uses folate during your pregnancy to make blood cells and to help your baby grow. Folic acid also lowers the risk of your unborn baby having a neural tube defect (NTD). NTDs are a group of serious birth defects that affect a baby's spinal cord, brain and skull.
789559
During pregnancy, take a prenatal vitamin each day that has 600 micrograms of folic acid in it. Folic acid only works to prevent NTDs before and during the first few weeks of pregnancy. Later in pregnancy, you need 600 mcg of folic acid each day to help your baby grow and develop.
5188
Folic acid is a pregnancy superhero! Taking a prenatal vitamin with the recommended 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid before and during pregnancy can help prevent birth defects of your baby's brain and spinal cord. Take it every day and go ahead and have a bowl of fortified cereal, too.
403680
Start taking folic acid at least 1 month before you start trying to get pregnant. The first few weeks of pregnancy are a really important time for fetal health and development. Taking folic acid and other prenatal vitamins can help reduce the risk of some birth defects.
500313
Vitamin B-9 (folic acid) might be the most important B vitamin to take during pregnancy. The March of Dimes recommends that women of childbearing age take 400 mcg of vitamin B-9 daily before and after pregnancy. Your folic acid needs will increase when you become pregnant.
982819
Folic acid before and during pregnancy Folic acid can help prevent birth defects known as neural tube defects, including spina bifida. If you did not take folic acid before you conceived, you should start as soon as you find out you're pregnant.
33040
Folic acid supports your baby's earliest development, making it a key nutrient for your first trimester of pregnancy. Learn what it does, how much is recommended and which foods can help to increase your intake to reduce the risk of neural tube problems.
982359
So you may need more during pregnancy than you did before pregnancy. Taking prenatal vitamins and eating healthy foods can help give you all the nutrients you and your baby need during pregnancy. Make sure your prenatal vitamin has folic acid, iron and calcium in it.
1092923
There are two vitamins that are very important in pregnancy and that you can take as a supplement: folic acid and vitamin D.
76024
If you're planning to become pregnant, your doctor will recommend that you begin taking a prenatal vitamin. You should begin taking a prenatal vitamin with folic acid three months before trying to conceive. Prenatal vitamins contain extra amounts of folic acid, iron, and calcium needed during pregnancy.