Why You Must Have Folic Acid Before and During Pregnancy

The importance of Folic Acid during pregnancy

I personally believe, the best gift any woman, who is trying to conceive, can receive is advice on the importance of vitamin B9 or folate. Sufficient quantities of this vitamin would ensure that fetuses do not develop abnormalities leading to a healthy pregnancy and subsequently a normal child. Sometimes it is the case that due to the lack of this vitamin, fetuses develop abnormalities most common being Neural Tube Defects (NTD).

What is the Neural Tube?

Before we speak about the defects, it is important to understand the structure of the neural tube. The neural tube is the part of the embryo from which the baby’s spine and brain develop. The neural tube develops fully by 12 weeks of pregnancy. Some birth defects occur within the first 3-4 weeks of pregnancy. Since expectant mothers typically realize that they are pregnant only after 6-8 weeks after conception, proactive intake of folic acid is recommended.

What could go wrong with the neural tube?

Without going into the technicalities, if insufficient of folic acid is present, there are chances that the spine could be affected (a condition known as spina bifida) or the brain could be affected (known as anencephaly).

What is Vitamin B9 and how does it help?

Vitamin B9, known as “folate” in its natural form, can be synthesized as “folic acid” without losing its effectiveness. Folate plays an important role in the production of red blood cells and helps the baby’s neural tube to develop and close. By close, it means that the spinal cord and vertebrae are properly encapsulated within the spinal column without any portions extending beyond the natural sheaths of protection.

It is highly recommended that women consume folic acid in sufficient quantities from two to three months prior to conception to ensure normal development of their fetus. Research suggests that if consumed sufficiently, then the risk of NTD reduces by up to 70%.

How much folic acid does an expectant mother require?

It is recommended that any woman of childbearing age consume 400 mcg of folic acid a day and after conception, the dosage can be increased to 600 mcg up to 12 weeks of gestation when the neural tube would have been fully formed.

What are the naturally occurring sources of folic acid?

Food source	Folic acid amount in mcg
Spinach (one cup cooked)	262
Broccoli (one cup cooked)	78
Sunflower seeds (one cup)	300
Asparagus (half a cup canned)	98
Black beans (one cup cooked)	256
Fresh Orange juice (one cup)	109
Peanuts (one cup)	212
Lentils (one cup cooked)	358

When do some mothers require additional folic acid?

Sometimes when a mother has a previous child affected by a NTD, then it is recommended that the dosage of folic acid be increased to 4000 mcg (equivalent to 4mg). Research has shown that this level of dosage has reduced the chances of recurrence by up to 70%.

So in all, planning a pregnancy is not just from conception but begins a couple of months prior when the levels of folic acid should be raised in the mother’s body. It is paramount that the importance of this vitamin is understood and given its due importance.

" Note: This content is originally published by Chennai Women's Clinic and Scan Centre
https://www.chennaiwomensclinic.com/the-importance-of-folic-acid-during-pregnancy.php "