Folic acid is a type of B vitamin that every individual needs for the body to produce new cells, and it is especially important for women trying to conceive and those who are pregnant. This vitamin and others help facilitate healthy fetal development and enhance the health of the mother. Taking folic acid and prenatal vitamins can help make a pregnancy as healthy as possible.
Significance
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, state that approximately 3,000 pregnancies yearly are affected by the neural tube defects anencephaly or spina bifida. These are defects involving failure of the skull or spine to close completely and occur within the first 28 days after conception, says the Cleveland Clinic. With half of all pregnancies being unplanned, taking enough folic acid prior to conception is important to the healthy development of a fetus. According to the CDC, women should take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily for at least one month before trying to conceive. The organization also states that folic acid can help reduce the risk of anencephaly and spina bifida by 50 to 70 percent.
Features
Folic acid, also called folate, is a water-soluble vitamin. Folate is the naturally occurring form that is found in foods, and folic acid is the synthetic form, says the Mayo Clinic. The vitamin can be found in fruits, asparagus, okra, legumes and fortified cereals and grains. It is often combined with other B vitamins in a B-complex formulation, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Prenatal Vitamins
Prenatal vitamins are specially formulated to supplement the nutritional needs of a pregnant woman and the fetus. According to the Cleveland Clinic, prenatal vitamins contain extra amounts of folic acid, calcium and iron. These vitamins typically also contain vitamins A, C ,E and D; zinc; thiamine; riboflavin; vitamin B-12; pyridoxine; and niacinamide, says the Cleveland Clinic. Some pregnant women find the vitamins may make them nauseous; if this is the case, a health care provider may be able to recommend another brand of prenatal vitamin.
Misconceptions
Taking prenatal vitamins and folic acid does not completely prevent neural tube defects, but it can reduce the risk of these defects. Prenatal testing is still performed. Women with a history of a previous pregnancy having a neural tube defect usually take a higher dose of folic acid; according to the American Pregnancy Association, these women typically take ten times the amount of folic acid taken by other expectant women to reduce their risk of neural tube defects.
Warning
Before adding other vitamin supplements or taking extra folic acid, it is best to consult with a health care professional or obstetrician to discuss risks and adverse effects that can occur. Any natural supplements or vitamins should also be discussed to avoid any interactions or side effects.
Member Comments