Why Is Folic Acid Important During Pregnancy

Introduction: Folic acid is an important nutrient for pregnant women. It helps to prevent birth defects of the brain and spine. All women of childbearing age should take a daily supplement of 400 micrograms (mcg) of folate (a form of folic acid) per day.

Folic acid is a water soluble vitamin and is mainly found in leafy green vegetables and fruits. It is also found in some fortified foods such as cereals, breads, and pastas.

https://gofolic.org/is-diarrhea-a-symptom-of-pregnancy-second-trimester/  is important during pregnancy because it helps to prevent birth defects of the brain and spine. These birth defects are called neural tube defects (NTDs).

Folic acid prevents birth defects by helping to form the neural tube. The neural tube forms very early in pregnancy, usually before a woman even knows she is pregnant.

Taking folic acid during pregnancy can help to prevent birth defects, including:
Anencephaly: This birth defect occurs when the baby’s brain does not develop properly. This can happen if the neural tube does not close properly.
Spina bifida: This birth defect occurs when the baby’s spinal cord does not develop properly. This can happen if the neural tube does not close properly.

There are no risks associated with taking too much folic acid during pregnancy. In fact, taking a higher dose of folic acid (600-800 mcg) may be recommended for women who have a history of NTDs or who are at increased risk for having a baby with an NTD.

The best sources of folic acid are leafy green vegetables and fruits, fortified foods such as cereals, breads, and pastas, and supplements containing 400 micrograms (mcg) of folate (a form of folic acid).

Conclusion: Folic acid is an important nutrient for pregnant women. It helps to prevent birth defects of the brain and spine.  gofolic.org  of childbearing age should take a daily supplement of 400 micrograms (mcg) of folate (a form"