Benefits of Folic Acid
Taking folate, a B vitamin, before pregnancy reduces preterm labor.
Folic acid has been shown to decrease a mother's chance of neural tube defects. New research also suggests that folic acid may reduce preterm birth.
If you are planning to become pregnant, likely you have been told by your medical providers to begin taking prenatal vitamins several months prior to conceiving your baby.
One of the main reasons for taking prenatal vitamins even before finding out you are pregnant is due to the benefits of folic acid, which is a B vitamin. Research has shown that mothers who take folic acid supplements during pregnancy significantly reduce their baby's chance of neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Other known benefits for both men and women from taking folic acid supplements include reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Now there may be even more benefit to taking folic acid for women who are planning a pregnancy. A new study points to evidence that folic acid reduces the mother's risk of having a preterm birth.
Preterm birth is a birth that occurs at 37 weeks or earlier during pregnancy. Currently approximately 10% of all births are considered to be preterm. Preterm birth can lead to a host of complications with the baby such as respiratory distress syndrome, SIDS, temperature instability and more difficulty with feeding issues including swallowing and breastfeeding.
Preterm infants often spend weeks or even months in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) which greatly adds to the overall costs of medical care. Having a simple, yet effective way to reduce the mother's chance of giving birth too soon will benefit parents, babies and even society at large. So what are the experts now saying with regard to how folic acid may, in fact, be a huge solution to this problem of preterm birth?
Nearly 40,000 women participated in this study that included researchers from both Ireland and the United States. Researchers found that women who took the folic acid supplement for at least one year prior to becoming pregnant reduced their chances of having a preterm birth between 20-28 weeks of pregnancy by 70%. Having a baby born between 28-32 weeks of pregnancy was reduced by 50% when mothers took folic acid for one year before pregnancy.
Experts recommend that a daily supplement of 400 micrograms of folic acid be taken daily starting before you become pregnant and continuing throughout pregnancy. You can also enhance your diet with foods rich in folate/folic acid including fortified breads and grains, cereals, leafy green vegetables, orange juice and dried beans.
