How Folic Acid Benefits Pregnant Women

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What is Folic Acid?

Also known as folate or B9, folic acid is a type of B vitamin that can help and encourage the body to produce healthier new cells. This folic acid is folate’s manmade form present vitamins and fortified foods while folate is naturally found in certain foods.

Importance of Folic Acid for Women

While it is true that everyone needs folic acid, this is especially essential for women who already reached the age to conceive. It has been proven that folic acid helps lower the risks of the birth defects that can affect the spine and brain that often develop during pregnancy.

Every woman who can bear a child needs folic acid (more at Vitanoval) due to the following reasons:

It is a must to get enough amounts of folic acid prior to conception since most types of birth defects of the spine and brain tend to develop during the pregnancy’s first 28 days. Most of the time, these defects can form even before a woman discovers the pregnancy.
Based on statistics, it has been revealed that more than half of pregnancies in the world are unplanned. This is why it is equally critical for women who don’t have plans to conceive to have enough amounts of folic acid just like those women who want to get pregnant.
The moment a woman learns about the pregnancy, whether it is planned or not, it might already be too late to avoid these grave birth defects if she doesn’t get the suggested amount of folic acid per day.

What is the Daily Recommended Amount of Folic Acid Intake?

It is important that you consult your doctor regarding the daily recommended amount of folic acid depending on your unique familial goals and medical history.

Video: Ask a doctor: folic acid supplements

For many women who are already of the age to bear a child, even those who don’t have plans to get pregnant, it is highly recommended to take folic acid on a daily basis.