Taking folic acid during pregnancy can prevent birth defects, reduce the risk of preterm delivery and low birth weight, and increase the chances of carrying the baby to term. Doctors recommend women take folic acid supplements even if they are not pregnant. Lack of folic acid can impair fetal growth and development, causing NTDs, urinary tract defects, misshapen limbs, heart abnormalities, cleft lip, and palate. Women should take 600-800 mg of folic acid during pregnancy and 400 mg daily between ages 20 and 40.
The benefits of taking folic acid supplementation during pregnancy include the possible prevention of birth defects, especially neural tube defects (NTDs). It can also help reduce the chances of preterm delivery and low birth weight. While taking folic acid during pregnancy is beneficial for both mother and baby, doctors generally recommend that all women between the ages of 20 and 40 take a folic acid supplement, even if they have no current plans to become pregnant. pregnant.
When a woman becomes pregnant, her body requires almost double the amount of folic acid, also known as B9, than it normally does. This is because folic acid helps the baby develop DNA. A lack of it impairs the growth and development of the fetus, which can greatly increase the chances of NTDs and other problems. Taking folic acid during pregnancy can minimize several serious and even fatal problems, such as spina bifida and anencephaly. The latter is the term for a fatally underdeveloped brain and skull in a fetus, which can cause death in utero or shortly after birth.
Taking folic acid during pregnancy or taking prenatal vitamins with folic acid may also lower the risk of other serious health problems. These can include urinary tract defects, misshapen limbs, and heart abnormalities. Taking B9 can also reduce cases of cleft lip and palate. Both of these health problems usually require surgery soon after birth in order for the baby to eat properly.
Another benefit of taking folic acid during pregnancy is to increase the chances that the mother will carry the baby to term. Babies born even a few weeks before their due date are at increased risk for many health problems and developmental delays. This is because a baby’s lungs, most of the time, don’t reach full maturity until a few days before the 40-week mark, which is the typical length of gestation. Lack of mature lungs can cause breathing problems and increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
When the mother’s body has an adequate supply of folic acid, it can also reduce the risk of low birth weight. As folic acid is one of the most important factors in the development of the fetus, a lack of it can cause the fetus to develop more slowly, therefore not reaching the ideal birth weight. Babies born with a low birth weight are at increased risk of developmental delays, vision problems, and developing asthma or other chronic respiratory problems.
Many doctors recommend taking 600 to 800 mg of folic acid during pregnancy. It is also generally recommended that women between the ages of 20 and 40 take 400 mg of folic acid daily. The first few weeks of pregnancy, when most women don’t even know they are pregnant, is when folic acid can be important. However, anyone considering adding folic acid to a daily nutritional regimen should first consult a health professional.
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