Prenatal vitamins provide pregnant women with important vitamins and minerals that decrease the risk of birth defects and other health problems. Folic acid, or folate, is a vitamin that lowers the risk of neural tube defects during prenatal development. All women should take a folic acid supplement to ensure they receive enough of this important nutrient. Doses vary depending on family history and your medical condition, so talk to your doctor about the folic acid dose that is appropriate for you.
Importance
Neural tube defects occur early in development, often during the first 28 days of pregnancy. The two most common neural tube defects are spina bifida and anencephaly. Spina bifida occurs when the spinal cord protrudes from the vertebral column, causing mental and physical disability. Infants with anencephaly, or underdevelopment of brain tissue, often die during birth. Taking folic acid before and during pregnancy decreases the risk of neural tube defects.
Recommendations for Healthy Women
All women of childbearing age should get at least 400 mcg of folic acid every day. In general, 400 to 800 mcg of folic acid is an appropriate daily intake for a healthy woman. Even for women taking oral contraceptives or not planning to become pregnant, getting enough folic acid is important. Neural tube defects may occur before you realize you are pregnant, so daily folic acid consumption may prevent significant developmental problems.
Recommendations for Women at High Risk
Certain types of people are vulnerable to having children with a neural tube defect. Physicians typically recommend that women take higher doses of folic acid if they have spina bifida, have a family history of neural tube defects or have a previous child with a neural tube defect. Women at higher risk for having a child with a neural tube defect should take 4 mg of folic acid per day one month before conceiving and during the first trimester. Talk to your doctor about your risk factors and appropriate folic acid dosage.
Folic Acid Overdose
Even for healthy pregnant women, taking too much folic acid does not usually have a negative effect. Because folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin, your body excretes excess amounts through urine production. Taking over 1 mg of folic acid per day does not pose a significant health risk to your child, but it is not recommended unless you are at high risk for having a child with neural tube defects. Taking high levels of folic acid can mask symptoms of vitamin B-12 deficiency, which can have serious health consequences. Although vitamin B-12 deficiency is rare among pregnant women, vegetarians or vegans may not receive enough of this vitamin. Thus, healthy women should try to consume less than 1 mg of folic acid per day.
