Folic acid plays a vital role in the healthy development of your unborn child. Adequate intakes of folic acid are necessary to prevent debilitating birth defects, such as spina bifida. The recommended dosage for folic acid varies, and you should consult your doctor to help you determine your daily needs for a healthy pregnancy.
Folic Acid
Folic acid is the synthetic form of the B vitamin folate. It is found primarily in supplements and fortified foods. Your body needs folate to make and maintain new cells. This is especially important during periods of rapid growth, such as pregnancy. Folate is also necessary for the production of DNA and RNA, and may also help prevent changes to DNA to prevent cancer. During pregnancy, folic acid is also needed to increase your blood volume and promote the proper growth of your baby's neural tube, which eventually becomes the brain and spinal cord. Adequate intakes of folic acid during pregnancy also prevent preterm labor, according to MayoClinic.com.
Recommended Dosage
How much folic acid you need during pregnancy varies depending on your source of information and your doctor's recommendation. Folic acid dosage recommendations range from 400 to 1,000 micrograms a day. The American Pregnancy Association, a nonprofit group focused on pregnancy wellness through education and research, recommends 400 micrograms of folic acid a day during pregnancy. However, the Institute of Medicine, the governing body behind Recommended Dietary Intakes (RDI) recommends women get 600 micrograms of folic acid during pregnancy. MayoClinic.com recommends 1,000 micrograms of folic acid a day during pregnancy.
Neural Tube Defects
A neural tube defects is a condition that effects the brain or spinal cord. Spina bifida and anencephaly are the two most common defects. Children with spina bifida have an exposed spinal cord, causing nerve damage and some paralysis of the legs. Spina bifida occurs during the first month of pregnancy. Anencephaly effects the brain, preventing it from developing properly. Babies born with anencephaly are stillborn or die soon after birth.
Sources
The FDA issued regulations in 1996 requiring that commonly consumed foods, such as pasta, bread, cereals and flours, be fortified with folic acid to help increase intake in the American diet, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Some breakfast cereals contain as much as 400 micrograms of folic acid in a serving. A 1/2 cup serving of enriched rice contains 65 micrograms of folic acid, and 1/2 cup of enriched egg noodles, 50 micrograms. One slice of fortified bread contains 25 micrograms of folic acid. In addition to foods, your doctor will also recommend you take a prenatal vitamin that contains folic acid.
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