According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, neural tube defects occur in approximately 3,000 pregnancies per year. Pregnant women can help prevent these birth defects by increasing their folic acid intake. Talk to your doctor if you are planning to get pregnant, to get more information about folic acid and prenatal nutrition.
Purpose
Folic acid, or folate, is a B-vitamin that your body needs to make new cells. Appropriate levels of folic acid are especially important during pregnancy for healthy neonatal development. Taking folic acid supplements reduces the risk of your child having a neural tube defect. Spina bifida is a neural tube defect in which the spinal cord protrudes through the spinal column, causing serious disabilities. Another common neural tube defect is anencephaly, in which the brain fails to properly develop. Children with anencephaly often die shortly after birth because of these brain defects.
When to Take Folic Acid
Neural tube defects occur early in neonatal development, usually during the first 28 days of pregnancy. At this early stage of pregnancy, many women do not realize they are pregnant and may not be taking prenatal vitamins. Thus, it is important for all women of childbearing age to receive enough folic acid. The recommended daily intake of folic acid is 400 to 800 micrograms. Even if you take oral contraceptives or do not plan to get pregnant, it is important to get 400 micrograms of folic acid every day.
Breastfeeding women need 500 micrograms of folic acid per day. Women at high risk for having children with neural tube defects should take 4,000 micrograms of folic acid daily. Risk factors include having spina bifida, having a previous child with a brain or spine defect or having a family member with spina bifida. Consult your doctor to determine the appropriate dose of folic acid for you.
Where to Get Folic Acid
Companies fortify breads, breakfast cereals and other foods with folic acid to help women get recommended amounts of this important vitamin. Other dietary sources of folic acid include leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, beans, pasta and rice. To ensure that you receive enough folic acid, take a multivitamin or folic acid supplement regardless of whether you are trying to become pregnant. Look for a multivitamin that contains 400 micrograms of folic acid and take it every day.
Suggestions
Although missing your daily multivitamin once in a while should not drastically affect your folic acid levels, take precautions to ensure that you maintain appropriate levels of this vitamin. Make a habit of taking your multivitamin or folic acid supplement with breakfast, before brushing your teeth or while performing another routine daily activity. Place your bottle of vitamins in a visible place, such as your bathroom counter or in your kitchen, to help yourself remember to take folic acid every day.
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