You should take a supplement with 400 micrograms of folic acid per day from 12 weeks before you become pregnant through to the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Adding a folic acid supplement to your diet when pregnant reduces the risk of your baby being born with a neural tube defect. When you’re pregnant you need more folic acid to help your baby grow. Why do I need to take folic acid when pregnant? Researach shows that taking a daily folic acid supplement of 400 micrograms reduces the risk of your baby developing spina bidifa and similar birth defects by up to 70%. The best way to reduce the risk of your baby developing a neural tube defect is to take daily folic acid supplements from 12 weeks before conception until at least 12 weeks of pregnancy. Can I prevent my baby getting spina bifida? Most spina bifida cases are detected with an ultrasound scan around 18 weeks of pregnancy. Signs and symptoms of spina bifida vary by type and severity and can also differ per person. It is unclear what causes spina bifida but it can be linked to a combination of genetic and environmental risk factors, for example a family history of neural tube defects and folate deficiency. Spina bifida is a neural tube birth defect that occurs when a baby’s spine and spinal cord don’t form properly. In some cases, the effects can be more severe. This can cause a range of disabilities including loss of bladder and bowel control, and paralysis of the legs. The neural tube is formed in the first four to six weeks of pregnancy.Ī neural tube defect can happen when something goes wrong in the development of a baby’s neural tube. It will become your baby’s brain and spinal cord and the bones that enclose them. The neural tube is one of the first things your baby will grow. If you’re pregnant, folic acid is needed to help the development of your baby’s nervous system and neural tube early in pregnancy. What does folic acid do?įolic acid is vital for healthy bodily growth and development in everyone and is especially important for pregnant women. Folate is water-soluble and is easily destroyed by cooking. Folate is found naturally in food like leafy green vegetables, citrus fruit, legumes and nuts. If you are planning on getting pregnant or are in the early stages of pregnancy, it’s best to take a daily folic acid supplement, as well as eat high-folate foods. What is folic acid?įolic acid is the man-made form of the B vitiamin folate.įolic acid is added to some foods and can also be found in supplements. It is important to get enough nutrients and vitamins before conception and during pregnancy.įolic acid supplements are recommended for women who are planning to become pregnant, could become pregnant or are pregnant. Good nutrition is important for everyone, but particularly important for pregnant women for healthy growth and development of their baby. So you’ve started to think about trying for a baby, congratulations, what an exciting time!
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