The bodies of pregnant mothers require more of certain nutrients to help support their health and the health of their unborn child. Folic acid, also known as Folacin, is one such nutrient and expectant mothers need to take extra efforts to make sure they are getting enough. Folic acid is a vital way to protect the health and development of baby and supplementing folic acid is a mother's best way of being proactive and protecting her child against certain birth defects.
What is Folic Acid
Folic acid is a B vitamin found in green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, beans, breads, cereals, rice and pastas. It is also sold in a supplement form and can be purchased inexpensively in most drug stores, supermarkets and other stores that have a pharmacy department.
When is Folic Acid Most Important?
Folic acid seems to have the greatest benefits to an unborn child when taken both prior to conception and during the first trimester. Women who are trying to conceive should up their intake of foods rich of folic acid. A glass of orange juice is an excellent source of folic acid. Taking a supplement can be helpful as well.
Most women do not realize they are pregnant until they are a few weeks along and those whose pregnancies are a surprise should up their folic acid intake as soon as they find out they are expecting.
Why is Folic Acid Important?
The American Pregnancy Association states that folic acid is an important part of preventing neural tube defects such as spina bifida (exposed spinal cord) and anencephaly (underdeveloped brain). A great deal of neural development occurs in the first trimester and this is why supplementing early on in the pregnancy is so very important.
Folic acid also seems to help a woman's body make extra blood it needs during pregnancy. This is important since the increase in the volume of blood circulating within a woman's body during pregnancy is significant.
How Much Folic Acid is Enough
It is recommended that a pregnant woman gets at least 400 mg of folic acid a day during pregnancy. This can be achieved by taking a prenatal vitamin rich in folic acid or taking a folic acid supplement on its own. Women should read the labels of supplements carefully before taking them to make sure they are getting enough of what they need. As always pregnant women should let their doctors know right away about any supplements they are taking.
Folic acid supplements are not interchangeable with good nutrition. Pregnant women should eat diets full of healthy, nutritious foods to help themselves stay healthy and their babies grow strong.
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