Why folic acid is important before and during pregnancy – When the baby is developing early during pregnancy, folic acid helps form the neural tube. Folic acid is very important because it can help prevent some major birth defects of the baby’s brain ( anencephaly ) and spine ( spina bifida ). The neural tube forms the early brain and spine.
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Contents
- 1 How does folic acid help in getting pregnant?
- 2 What is the benefits of taking folic acid?
- 3 What weeks is folic acid most important?
- 4 What food is folic acid in?
- 5 What happens after taking folic acid?
- 6 How much should I take folic acid to get pregnant?
How does folic acid help in getting pregnant?
Folic acid is a vitamin (B9). It is found in certain foods and it can also be taken as tablets. If you’re planning to have a baby, it’s important that you take folic acid tablets for two to three months before you conceive. This allows it to build up in your body to a level that gives the most protection to your future baby against neural tube defects, such as spina bifida.
As you could get pregnant within a month of trying, it is ideal to start taking folic acid tablets two months before you stop contraception. If you have already stopped contraception, that’s OK, start taking it now and until week 12 of pregnancy. You can also try to eat more foods that contain folate, which is the natural form of folic acid.
However, even a healthy diet does not have enough folic acid for pregnancy so taking folic acid tablets is very important. If you end up taking folic acid tablets for far longer than two to three months this is perfectly OK and not harmful. Are you ready to conceive? Use our tool to find out.
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How quickly does folic acid work for pregnancy?
Folic acid usually starts to work in a few hours. But if you’re taking it for folate deficiency anaemia, it may be a few weeks before you start to feel better. It’s important to keep taking your folic acid for as long as it’s recommended.
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What happens if you don’t take folic acid during pregnancy?
Folic acid 
Folic acid is the man-made form of folate, a B vitamin. Folate is found naturally in certain fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Folic acid is found in vitamins and fortified foods. Folic acid and folate help the body make healthy new red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to all the parts of your body.
If your body does not make enough red blood cells, you can develop, Anemia happens when your blood cannot carry enough oxygen to your body, which makes you pale, tired, or weak. Also, if you do not get enough folic acid, you could develop a type of anemia called, Everyone needs folic acid to be healthy.
But it is especially important for women:
- Before and during pregnancy. Folic acid protects unborn children against serious birth defects called neural tube defects. These birth defects happen in the first few weeks of pregnancy, often before a woman knows she is pregnant. Folic acid might also help prevent other types of birth defects and early pregnancy loss (miscarriage). Since about half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, experts recommend all women get enough folic acid even if you are not trying to get pregnant.
- To keep the blood healthy by helping red blood cells form and grow. Not getting enough folic acid can lead to a type of called, Folate-deficiency anemia is more common in women of childbearing age than in men.
You can get folic acid in two ways.
- Through the foods you eat. Folate is, including spinach, nuts, and beans. Folic acid is found in fortified foods (called “enriched foods”), such as breads, pastas, and cereals. Look for the term “enriched” on the ingredients list to find out whether the food has added folic acid.
- As a vitamin. Most multivitamins sold in the United States contain 400 micrograms, or 100% of the daily value, of folic acid. Check the label to make sure.
All women need 400 micrograms of folic acid every day. Women who can get pregnant should get 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid from a vitamin or from food that has added folic acid, such as breakfast cereal. This is in addition to the folate you get naturally from food. Some women may need more folic acid each day. See the chart to find out how much folic acid you need.
| If you: | Amount of folic acid you may need daily |
|---|---|
| Could get pregnant or are pregnant | 400–800 micrograms. Your doctor may prescribe a prenatal vitamin with more. |
| Had a baby with a neural tube defect (such as (SPEYE-nuh BIF-ih-duh) ) and want to get pregnant again | 4,000 micrograms. Your doctor may prescribe this amount. Research shows taking this amount may lower the risk of having another baby with spina bifida. |
| Have a family member with spina bifida and could get pregnant | 4,000 micrograms. Your doctor may prescribe this amount. |
| Have spina bifida and want to get pregnant | 4,000 micrograms. Your doctor may prescribe this amount. Women with spina bifida have a higher risk of having children with the condition. |
| Take medicines to treat, type 2,, or | Talk to your doctor or nurse. Folic acid supplements can interact with these medicines. |
| Are on dialysis for kidney disease | Talk to your doctor or nurse. |
| Have a health condition, such as or, that affects how your body absorbs folic acid | Talk to your doctor or nurse. |
Yes, certain groups of women do not get enough folic acid each day.
- Women who can get pregnant need more folic acid (400 to 800 micrograms).
- Nearly one in three African-American women does not get enough folic acid each day.
- Spanish-speaking Mexican-American women often do not get enough folic acid. However, Mexican-Americans who speak English usually get enough folic acid.
Not getting enough folic acid can cause health problems, including, and for you and your unborn baby. If you do not get enough folic acid before and during pregnancy, your baby is at higher risk for neural tube defects. Neural tube defects are serious birth defects that affect the spine, spinal cord, or brain and may cause death. These include:
- Spina bifida, This condition happens when an unborn baby’s spinal column does not fully close during development in the womb, leaving the spinal cord exposed. As a result, the nerves that control the legs and other organs do not work. Children with spina bifida often have lifelong disabilities. They may also need many surgeries.
- (an-en-SEF-uh-lee), This means that most or all of the brain and skull does not develop in the womb. Almost all babies with this condition die before or soon after birth.
Yes. All women who can get pregnant need to take 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid every day, even if you’re not planning to get pregnant. There are several reasons why:
- Your birth control may not work or you may not use birth control correctly every time you have sex. In a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 40% of women with unplanned pregnancies were using birth control.
- Birth defects of the brain and spine can happen in the first few weeks of pregnancy, often before you know you are pregnant. By the time you find out you are pregnant, it might be too late to prevent the birth defects.
- You need to take folic acid every day because it is a water soluble B-vitamin. Water soluble means that it does not stay in the body for a long time. Your body metabolizes (uses) folic acid quickly, so your body needs folic acid each day to work properly.
Folate is found naturally in some foods. Foods that are naturally high in folate include:
- Spinach and other dark green, leafy vegetables
- Oranges and orange juice
- Nuts
- Beans
- Poultry (chicken, turkey, etc.) and meat
- Whole grains
Folic acid is added to foods that are refined or processed (not whole grain):
- Breakfast cereals (Some have 100% of the recommended daily value — or 400 micrograms — of folic acid in each serving.)
- Breads and pasta
- Flours
- Cornmeal
- White rice
Since 1998, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required food manufacturers to add folic acid to processed breads, cereals, flours, cornmeal, pastas, rice, and other grains. For other foods, check the on the package to see if it has folic acid.
The label will also tell you how much folic acid is in each serving. Sometimes, the label will say “folate” instead of folic acid. You can get enough folic acid from food alone. Many breakfast cereals have 100% of your recommended daily value (400 micrograms) of folic acid. If you are at, your doctor or nurse may recommend that you take a vitamin with folic acid every day.
Most U.S. multivitamins have at least 400 micrograms of folic acid. Check the label on the bottle to be sure. You can also take a pill that contains only folic acid. If swallowing pills is hard for you, try a chewable or liquid product with folic acid. Look for “USP” or “NSF” on the label when choosing vitamins.
These “seals of approval” mean the pills are made properly and have the amounts of vitamins it says on the label. Also, make sure the pills have not expired. If the bottle has no expiration date, do not buy it. Ask your pharmacist for help with selecting a vitamin or folic acid-only pill. If you are pregnant and already take a daily prenatal vitamin, you probably get all the folic acid you need.
Check the label to be sure.
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What is the benefits of taking folic acid?
What Is Folic Acid? – Folic acid is a B vitamin. Our bodies use it to make new cells. Everyone needs folic acid. But for women who can get pregnant, it is really important! If a woman has enough folic acid in her body before she is pregnant, it can help prevent major birth defects of her baby’s brain and spine.
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Is folic acid a fertility pill?
As soon as you start trying for a baby, you should take a daily supplement containing 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid, Some experts recommend that you start taking it up to three months before you conceive, but if you’ve already started trying, or are already pregnant, try not to worry – just start taking it as soon as possible.
you or your partner has a neural tube defect (NTD) such as spina bifida, or a family history of NTDsyou’ve previously conceived a baby with an NTDyou have diabetes you’re obese, with a body mass index (BMI) over 30you’re taking medication for epilepsyyou have coeliac disease, diabetes, sickle cell anaemia or thalassaemia
If any of the above apply to you, make an appointment with your GP to ask how much folic acid she recommends for your individual needs. If you have sickle cell anaemia or thalassaemia, you’ll be advised to take folic acid throughout your entire pregnancy.
- What is folic acid, and why do I need it? Folic acid is also known as vitamin B9.
- This essential nutrient won’t help you get pregnant, but it’s crucial for your developing baby’s health once you do conceive.
- Folic acid has been proven to greatly reduce the risk of babies developing serious brain and spinal cord problems such as spina bifida,
In the first few weeks of pregnancy, the bundle of nerves that will eventually become your baby’s spine and central nervous system is known as the neural tube. If something goes wrong as it develops, this is known as a neural tube defect (NTD). Sadly, in some cases this can result in a lifelong disability.
- Folic acid helps the neural tube to develop healthily.
- Because the neural tube develops so early in pregnancy, you may not realise you’ve conceived when it happens.
- This is why you should start taking folic acid as soon as you begin trying for a baby, and ideally up to three months before you do conceive.
You can buy folic acid as a single supplement, or as part of a multivitamin designed for women who are pregnant or trying to conceive. Check the label or ask your pharmacist for advice on which supplements contain the recommended amount. Don’t take a supplement containing vitamin A if you might be pregnant, as this isn’t safe for developing babies.
Once you do conceive, it’s also recommended that you take a supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D every day. If you’re taking multiple supplements, it’s a good idea to have a quick chat with your pharmacist to make sure you’re getting a safe balance of nutrients. Some women find they often forget to take their supplement each day.
If you’re among them, try setting an alarm on your phone to remind you. If you’re on a low income, or are under 18, you may be able to get free vitamin supplements containing folic acid once you have conceived. This is part of the government’s Healthy Start scheme.
green, leafy vegetables such as sprouts, spinach, broccoli, kale and cabbagebeans and pulses, such as chickpeasoranges and orange juicewheat bran and other wholegrainspoultry, pork and shellfishfortified breakfast cereals such as bran flakes
Liver is also a source of folate, however it’s best to avoid it while you’re trying to conceive. This is because it contains high levels of vitamin A, which isn’t safe for your baby once you do become pregnant. Like many vitamins, folate is water-soluble and is easily destroyed by cooking.
Learn more about what to eat when trying for a baby,Get the lowdown on megavitamins and conception, Discover which foods can boost fertility in men,
Polly Logan-Banks is an experienced editor with a keen interest in producing evidence-based content. Polly is passionate about ensuring that every child gets the best start in life.
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When should I take folic acid morning or night?
– Anyone who wishes to become pregnant should start taking folic acid supplements before they start trying. The reason for this is that neural tube defects occur early in development, often before a person knows that they are pregnant. As about half of pregnancies are unplanned, experts recommend that anyone who can get pregnant take folic acid supplements.
- Doing so ensures that even if a pregnancy is a surprise, the likelihood of neural tube defects is low.
- Folic acid is water soluble, which enables the body to metabolize it quickly.
- For this reason, those taking folic acid supplements need to take one every day.
- There is no need to take the supplement at a specific time of day or with a meal.
However, developing a habit, such as taking a prenatal vitamin every morning with breakfast, may make it easier to remember to take folic acid. The CDC note that in most cases, each folic acid pill or multivitamin contains 400 mcg of folic acid. A person can check the supplement label to confirm this.
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What fruit is good for folic acid?
– Papaya is a nutrient-dense tropical fruit native to southern Mexico and Central America. Besides being delicious and full of flavor, papaya is jam-packed with folate. One cup (140 grams) of raw papaya contains 53 mcg of folate, which is equal to about 13% of the DV ( 34 ).
- Additionally, papaya is high in vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants like carotenoids ( 34 ).
- Pregnant women should consider avoiding eating unripe papaya.
- Researchers speculate that eating high amounts on unripe papaya might cause early contractions in pregnant women, but the evidence is weak ( 35 ).
SUMMARY Papaya is rich in antioxidants and folate. One cup (140 grams) of raw papaya provides approximately 13% of the DV for folate.
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What weeks is folic acid most important?
Folic acid before and during pregnancy – It’s important to take a 400 micrograms folic acid tablet every day before you’re pregnant and until you’re 12 weeks pregnant. Folic acid can help prevent birth defects known as neural tube defects, including spina bifida,
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What food is folic acid in?
Good sources of folate brussels sprouts. leafy green vegetables, such as cabbage, kale, spring greens and spinach. peas. chickpeas and kidney beans.
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What happens after taking folic acid?
When taken by mouth: It is likely safe for most people to take folic acid in doses of no more than 1 mg daily. Doses higher than 1 mg daily may be unsafe. These doses might cause stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, irritability, confusion, behavior changes, skin reactions, seizures, and other side effects.
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What happens when you start taking folic acid?
Folic acid is the synthetic version of the vitamin folate, also known as vitamin B9. Folate helps the body make healthy red blood cells and is found in certain foods. Folic acid is used to:
treat or prevent folate deficiency anaemia help your baby’s brain, skull and spinal cord develop properly in pregnancy, to avoid development problems (called neural tube defects) such as spina bifida help reduce side effects from methotrexate, a medicine used to treat severe arthritis, Crohn’s disease or psoriasis
Folic acid is available on prescription. It comes as tablets or as a liquid you swallow. You can also buy lower dose tablets from pharmacies and supermarkets. Folic acid can also be combined with:
ferrous fumarate and ferrous sulphate, to treat iron deficiency anaemia other vitamins and minerals, as a multivitamin and mineral supplement
Can folic acid make me ovulate?
Fertility and Folic Acid – More than 12 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 54 experience problems with fertility, Consuming high levels of folic acid can potentially reduce ovulation problems in healthy women who are trying to conceive. However, Shepherd says the research to support folic acid’s impact on female fertility is not extensive.
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How many times can I take folic acid to get pregnant?
Take a folic acid supplement – It’s recommended that you should take a daily supplement of folic acid when you’re pregnant, or there’s a chance you might get pregnant. You should take a 400 microgram supplement of folic acid every day before you get pregnant, and every day afterwards, up until you’re 12 weeks pregnant.
- A microgram is 1,000 times smaller than a milligram (mg).
- The word microgram is sometimes written with the Greek symbol μ followed by the letter g (μg).
- Folic acid reduces the risk of your baby having a neural tube defect, such as spina bifida,
- A neural tube defect is when the foetus’s spinal cord (part of the body’s nervous system) does not form normally.
You might be advised to take a higher dose supplement of 5 milligram (5mg) every day. You may need to take a 5mg supplement of folic acid if:
you or the baby’s other biological parent have a neural tube defectyou previously had a pregnancy affected by a neural tube defectyou or the baby’s other biological parent have a family history of neural tube defectsyou have diabetesyou take anti-epilepsy medicine
Talk to a GP if you think you need a 5mg dose of folic acid, as they can prescribe a higher dose. You can get folic acid tablets at pharmacies, or talk to a GP about getting a prescription. Do not worry if you get pregnant unexpectedly and were not taking a folic acid supplement at the time. Start taking them as soon as you find out, until you’re past the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
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Can folic acid cure infertility?
Folic acid and female fertility Folic acid can have a powerful effect on female fertility, both before and after conception. For women who are struggling to conceive, folic acid can help prevent early pregnancy defects that can lead to miscarriage. Folic acid and female fertility benefits don’t stop there.
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How much folic acid to increase fertility?
Are folate and folic acid the same thing? – The terms “folate” and “folic acid” are often used interchangeably, even though they are different. Folate is a general term to describe many different types of vitamin B9. Types of folate can include
Dihydrofolate (DHF) Tetrahydrofolate (THF) 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (5, 10-Methylene-THF) 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-Methyl-THF or 5-MTHF)
Food fortification is a way to add vitamins or minerals, or both, to foods. Some rice, pasta, bread, and breakfast cereals are fortified with folic acid. These foods are labeled “enriched.” Folic acid is a specific type of folate that does not generally occur naturally,
- Folic acid is the ideal form of folate to use for food fortification.
- It is more stable than types of natural food folate, which can easily be broken down by heat and light.
- Folic acid is better suited for food fortification because many fortified products, such as bread and pasta, are cooked.6 CDC recommends that women of reproductive age who could become pregnant consume at least 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day.
However, it’s difficult to get 400 mcg of folic acid through diet alone. You can get 400 mcg of folic acid each day by taking a vitamin with folic acid in it, eating fortified foods, or a combination of the two, in addition to consuming a balanced diet rich in natural food folate.
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Which vitamin is best for fertility?
Vitamin B9 (Folate) – One of the most important B vitamins for fertility and healthy fetal development is folate or B9. Folate is vital to both male and female fertility, A low intake of folate is associated with an increased risk of neural tube birth defects such as spina bifida.
Research has also found that proper folate intake may impact progesterone levels, and low levels of B9 may lead to irregular ovulation, Both of these may reduce fertility. Low levels of folate are associated with poor sperm health. People with low dietary folate are more likely to have a higher percentage of DNA-damaged sperm.
Folate supplementation (along with zinc) may also help improve semen analysis results, in certain cases.
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How many times can I take folic acid to get pregnant?
Take a folic acid supplement – It’s recommended that you should take a daily supplement of folic acid when you’re pregnant, or there’s a chance you might get pregnant. You should take a 400 microgram supplement of folic acid every day before you get pregnant, and every day afterwards, up until you’re 12 weeks pregnant.
A microgram is 1,000 times smaller than a milligram (mg). The word microgram is sometimes written with the Greek symbol μ followed by the letter g (μg). Folic acid reduces the risk of your baby having a neural tube defect, such as spina bifida, A neural tube defect is when the foetus’s spinal cord (part of the body’s nervous system) does not form normally.
You might be advised to take a higher dose supplement of 5 milligram (5mg) every day. You may need to take a 5mg supplement of folic acid if:
you or the baby’s other biological parent have a neural tube defectyou previously had a pregnancy affected by a neural tube defectyou or the baby’s other biological parent have a family history of neural tube defectsyou have diabetesyou take anti-epilepsy medicine
Talk to a GP if you think you need a 5mg dose of folic acid, as they can prescribe a higher dose. You can get folic acid tablets at pharmacies, or talk to a GP about getting a prescription. Do not worry if you get pregnant unexpectedly and were not taking a folic acid supplement at the time. Start taking them as soon as you find out, until you’re past the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
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How much should I take folic acid to get pregnant?
Are folate and folic acid the same thing? – The terms “folate” and “folic acid” are often used interchangeably, even though they are different. Folate is a general term to describe many different types of vitamin B9. Types of folate can include
Dihydrofolate (DHF) Tetrahydrofolate (THF) 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (5, 10-Methylene-THF) 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-Methyl-THF or 5-MTHF)
Food fortification is a way to add vitamins or minerals, or both, to foods. Some rice, pasta, bread, and breakfast cereals are fortified with folic acid. These foods are labeled “enriched.” Folic acid is a specific type of folate that does not generally occur naturally,
- Folic acid is the ideal form of folate to use for food fortification.
- It is more stable than types of natural food folate, which can easily be broken down by heat and light.
- Folic acid is better suited for food fortification because many fortified products, such as bread and pasta, are cooked.6 CDC recommends that women of reproductive age who could become pregnant consume at least 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day.
However, it’s difficult to get 400 mcg of folic acid through diet alone. You can get 400 mcg of folic acid each day by taking a vitamin with folic acid in it, eating fortified foods, or a combination of the two, in addition to consuming a balanced diet rich in natural food folate.
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Can I take folic acid when I’m on my period?
Q. Can I take folic acid during my periods? – A. Yes, you can take folic acid during your periods. It assists the growth and maintenance of cells in regulating iron transportation.
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