Having a healthy baby means making sure you're
healthy
, too. One of the most important things you can do to help prevent
serious birth defects in your baby is to get enough folic acid
every day - especially before conception and during early
pregnancy
.
What Is Folic Acid?
Folic acid, sometimes called folate, is a B vitamin (B9) found
mostly in leafy green vegetables like kale and spinach, orange
juice, and enriched grains. Repeated studies have shown that women
who get 400 micrograms (0.4 milligrams) daily
prior
to conception and during early pregnancy reduce the risk that their
baby will be born with a serious neural tube defect (a birth defect
involving incomplete development of the brain and spinal cord) by
up to 70%.
The most common neural tube defects are
spina bifida
(an incomplete closure of the spinal cord and spinal column),
anencephaly (severe underdevelopment of the brain), and
encephalocele (when brain tissue protrudes out to the skin from an
abnormal opening in the skull). All of these defects occur during
the first 28 days of pregnancy - usually
before
a woman even knows she's pregnant.
That's why it's so important for all women of
childbearing age to get enough folic acid - not just those who are
planning to become pregnant. Only 50% of pregnancies are planned,
so any woman who could become pregnant should make sure she's
getting enough folic acid.
Doctors and scientists still aren't completely sure why
folic acid has such a profound effect on the prevention of neural
tube defects, but they do know that this vitamin is crucial in the
development of
DNA
. As a result, folic acid plays a large role in cell growth and
development, as well as tissue formation.
Getting Enough Folic Acid
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends
that all women of childbearing age - and especially those who are
planning a pregnancy - consume about 400 micrograms (0.4
milligrams) of folic acid
every day
. Adequate folic acid intake is very important
before conception and at least 3 months afterward
to potentially reduce the risk of having a fetus with a neural tube
defect.
So, how can you make sure you're getting enough folic acid?
In 1998, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration mandated that folic
acid be added to enriched grain products - so you can boost your
intake by looking for breakfast cereals, breads, pastas, and rice
containing 100% of the recommended daily folic acid allowance. But
for most women,
eating
fortified foods isn't enough. To reach the recommended daily
level, you'll probably need a vitamin supplement.
During pregnancy, you require more of
all
of the essential nutrients than you did before you became pregnant.
Although prenatal vitamins shouldn't replace a well-balanced
diet, taking them can give your body - and, therefore, your baby -
an added boost of vitamins and minerals. Some health care providers
even recommend taking a folic acid supplement in addition to your
regular prenatal vitamin. Talk to your doctor about your daily
folic acid intake and ask whether he or she recommends a
prescription supplement, an over-the-counter brand, or both.
Also talk to your doctor if you've already had a pregnancy
that was affected by a neural tube defect. He or she may recommend
that you increase your daily intake of folic acid (even before
getting pregnant) to lower your risk of having another
occurrence.
Reviewed by:
Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: November 2008
Originally reviewed by:
Serdar H. Ural, MD
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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