Taking Folic Acid – Pregnancy is the Time
Folic acid in pregnancy, and even before pregnancy is very important. It is a B vitamin that helps the body produce new cells and it is recommended that all women, not only pregnancy women, get folic acid in some form.
If you are trying to conceive a baby or have just found out that you are pregnant, is is extremely important to start taking a folic acid supplement right away.
Mainly, it is important to help prevent a birth defect in pregnancy called spina bifida. Studies have shown that folic acid also has other health benefits in women, even those who are not pregnant.
How much folic acid do you need? That will depend on your current life situation.
- If you are in your child bearing years, you should take at least 400mcg a day.
- If you are pregnant, you should take 600mcg a day.
- Breastfeeding women need 500mcg a day.
- If you’ve had a baby with spina bifida and want to have another baby, talk to your doctor. They will likely recommend a high dosage of folic acid for you.
So how do you get enough folic acid? There are two ways.
- Take a folic acid supplement. These supplements come in different dosages, so read the label on the bottle to make sure you are getting the correct amount.
- Increase your folic acid consumption through your diet. Foods that are particularly high in folic acid (or folate) are broccoli, asparagus, cereal, bananas, flour, nuts, oranges, peas, and spaghetti. Most cereals today are fortified and have 100% of your daily allowance of folic acid, but be sure to read the label to make sure.
So really, all women should be taking folic acid at all times. However, if you aren’t taking folic acid, pregnancy is the best time to start. Just make sure that you are taking the right amount in supplement form or eating the right foods.
