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A woman’s age, general health and underlying congenital diseases determine how her pregnancies will progress. One of the various factors that ensures a woman’s health is the consumption of adequate multivitamins. The Folic acid benefits for a healthy pregnancy are undeniable because it negates the risk of some serious birth defects in the foetus. Moreover, consuming foods that are naturally rich in folate can be advantageous for all women of childbearing age.
What is Folic Acid?
Folic acid is a form of folate, a variety of B vitamins (vitamin B9). Folate is a natural vitamin found in foods like dark, leafy green vegetables, legumes like dried beans and peas, and fruits like oranges, bananas, melons, and most berries. Folic acid, on the other hand, is the synthetic counterpart of Folate that is added to foods or supplements. Fortified cereal is among the Best folic acid supplements for pregnancy. The easily absorbed Folic acid aids in the formation and preservation of new cells. Taking the prescribed Folic acid dosage for early pregnancy, or 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day, prevents several major birth defects.
When should Pregnant Women Start Taking Folic Acid?
While most people get adequate folate naturally from their daily diet, the natural sources of folic acid during pregnancy cannot suffice for the heightened requirement of this vitamin. For pregnant women or women who are planning a pregnancy, folic acid slashes the risk of deformities like spina bifida and other neural tube defects (NTDs) in the foetus. Expectant women should count folic acid as an essential part of the Early pregnancy supplements because birth defects occur within the first 3 to 4 weeks of pregnancy. Only doctors may determine when folic acid supplements should be started for their pregnant patients. It is generally believed that Folic acid for preventing birth defects requires daily intake at least a month before conception and continues through the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. In case of unplanned pregnancy, folic acid should be commenced as soon as the pregnancy is confirmed.
Role of Folic Acid in Preventing Birth Defects
The first few weeks of pregnancy are critical for foetal development and determine its viability. Folic acid and neural tube defects can be defined as inversely proportional to each other. The neural tube, a flat structure that gradually rolls into a tube within a month of conception to become the brain and spinal cord, is one of the earliest structures to take shape. The lack of folic acid prevents proper development of the cells in this structure, resulting in abnormalities. Researches indicate that the risk of NTDs is significantly lowered when a woman gets extra folic acid in addition to a healthy diet one month before conception and continuing it as long as the third month of pregnancy.
Why is Folic Acid Essential for Pregnancy?
Besides producing red blood cells and building and maintaining new body cells, folic acid is responsible for the foetus’s neural tube development, which later appears as their brain and spinal cord. While some birth defects can be prevented through prenatal care, it is reassuring news that treatments are available if the foetus is diagnosed with a birth defect. Taking Prenatal vitamins with the recommended quantity of folic acid before and during pregnancy can help prevent birth defects in a baby’s brain and spinal cord. According to studies, women who had taken folic acid for at least a year before getting pregnant reduced their chances of premature delivery by at least 50% when compared to those who hadn’t.
Why is Folic Acid Important in Early Pregnancy?
- Supports cellular growth, including blood cells, brain cells, skin, and hair development.
- It plays a key role in creating DNA and RNA, indispensable for cell-building.
- Folic acid makes the formation of certain amino acids and healthy red blood cells possible. These cells deliver oxygen throughout the body.
- Reduces the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs), namely, spina bifida – incomplete development of the spinal cord or vertebrae. Anencephaly: incomplete development of major parts of the brain.
- Consuming folic acid during pregnancy reduces the risk of Heart disease, Stroke, some types of cancers, Alzheimer’s disease, and Preeclampsia.
- The Benefits of folic acid before and during pregnancy protect the unborn baby against Cleft lip and palate, Premature birth, low birth weight, and Miscarriage
Conclusion
Folic acid plays a vital role in supporting a healthy pregnancy, ensuring the all-around development of the baby. With questions like, When to start folic acid during pregnancy and How much folic acid should I take while pregnant? Covered, we hope our readers will embrace motherhood with confidence.