Women who are pregnant should take a prenatal vitamin supplement. Prenatals help women get enough of the key nutrients they require, both for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Folic acid is one of the most important nutrients pregnant women can get early in pregnancy, as it can help prevent certain birth defects. Knowing how much folic acid to take can be confusing, so consult your physician for guidelines.
Folic Acid and Pregnancy
Folic acid is high on the priority list of pregnancy nutrients, thanks to its role in preventing many birth defects. Early in the first trimester, the neural tube, a structure that later becomes the baby's brain and spinal cord, forms. Folic acid is critical during this time for healthy neural tube development and may help prevent certain related birth defects. These include brain damage and spina bifida, which can cause varying degrees of paralysis. Many women may not even know they are pregnant until after this critical stage has taken place.
Folic Acid Before Pregnancy
One possible way to prevent neural tube defects is to get enough folic acid before you become pregnant. Women who are actively trying to conceive should already be taking a prenatal vitamin, which provides them with plenty of folic acid. The Cleveland Clinic reports, however, that around half of all women who become pregnant did not plan their pregnancy. This is a great argument for women to take folic acid as part of their daily vitamin regimen even if they are not planning to conceive anytime soon. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that all women of childbearing age get at least 400 micrograms of folic acid every day through a supplement.
Folic Acid During Pregnancy
The Cleveland Clinic recommends pregnant women take a prenatal vitamin that contains between 800 and 1,000 micrograms of folic acid every day. This is a big jump from ACOG's recommendation for women who may become pregnant. Mayoclinic.com explains that women who are trying to get pregnant need around 800 micrograms daily, and this number increases to 1,000 micrograms once they become pregnant. Once a woman passes the first few months of pregnancy, folic acid helps create the extra blood needed by both mom and baby. The average healthy adult, however, does not need more than the minimum daily recommended amount of 400 micrograms, per Mayoclinic.com. In other words, it's all about how it is being used.
Dietary Folic Acid
Folic acid can be found in many fortified foods like cereals and breads, and is also plentiful in leafy greens, beans and citrus fruits. If your diet is rich in folic acid, you may not need as much supplementation as recommended. If you are uncertain about how much folic acid supplementation you actually need during your pregnancy, talk to your doctor or dietitian.
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