what is folic acid used for when pregnant?
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Why folic acid is important before and during pregnancy During early development, folic acid helps form the neural tube. Folic acid is very important because it can help prevent some major birth defects of the baby's brain (anencephaly) and spine (spina bifida).
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If you're planning to have a baby, it's important that you take folic acid tablets for two to three months before you conceive. This allows it to build up in your body to a level that gives the most protection to your future baby against neural tube defects, such as spina bifida.
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Folic acid can help prevent birth defects known as neural tube defects, including spina bifida. If you did not take folic acid before you conceived, you should start as soon as you find out you're pregnant. You should also eat foods that contain folate (the natural form of folic acid), such as green leafy vegetables.
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Folic acid is one of the B vitamins found in foods such as leafy green vegetables, fruits, dried beans, and peas. A synthetic form of folic acid is used in dietary supplements and fortified foods. Folic acid acts by helping the body produce and maintain new cells.
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When Should You Take Prenatal Vitamins? Folic acid should be started at least one month prior to conception. It's best to start taking prenatal vitamins while you're trying to get pregnant. The birth defects prevented by folic acid happen within the first few weeks of pregnancy -- before you even know you're expecting.
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Prenatal vitamins give you extra amounts of these three key nutrients for pregnant women: Folic acid helps your baby's brain and spinal cord develop correctly. This nutrient reduces the risk of serious birth defects called spina bifida and anencephaly. Calcium protects your bones as your baby grows.
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Before pregnancy, take a vitamin supplement that has 400 micrograms of folic acid in it every day. During pregnancy, take a prenatal vitamin that has 600 micrograms of folic acid in it every day. Take a vitamin supplement with folic acid every day, even if you're not trying to get pregnant.
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You should take a supplement with 400 micrograms of folic acid per day from 12 weeks before you become pregnant through to the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Folic acid supplements are available over the counter from pharmacies at varying doses. Look for supplements that contain at least 400 micrograms of folic acid.
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Folic acid is a pregnancy superhero! Taking a prenatal vitamin with the recommended 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid before and during pregnancy can help prevent birth defects of your baby's brain and spinal cord. Take it every day and go ahead and have a bowl of fortified cereal, too.
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Folic acid is used to treat or prevent folic acid deficiency. It is a B-complex vitamin needed by the body to manufacture red blood cells. A deficiency of this vitamin causes certain types of anemia (low red blood cell count).
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Ideally, you should take folic acid supplements for two to three months before you conceive and until you are 12 weeks pregnant. But try not to worry if you haven't started taking the supplements yet and start taking it now. You can talk to your GP or midwife if you have any concerns.
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Many mums wonder whether folic acid will help them get pregnant. While folic acid will not help you to conceive, it is widely accepted that folic acid is vital for supporting healthy neural tube development in the very early stages of pregnancy.
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It can also be taken as tablets (supplements). Folic acid protects your future baby against neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. Ideally, you should take folic acid supplements for 2 months before you get pregnant and until you are 12 weeks along. This is when your baby's spine is developing.
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Folic acid is indicated for the treatment of megaloblastic anaemia due to folic acid deficiency. It is also used for prophylaxis in chronic haemolytic states, in renal dialysis, and in drug induced folate deficiency. Folic acid is used for the prevention of recurrence of neural tube defects.
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According to findings published in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology​, high dose folic acid supplementation during pregnancy, and particularly in the third trimester, may reduce the risk of preterm births by about 7 per cent.
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Folic acid is used for the prevention of recurrence of neural tube defects. For prophylaxis in chronic haemolytic states or in renal dialysis: 5mg every 1-7 days depending on diet and underlying disease.
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If you're planning to become pregnant, your doctor will recommend that you begin taking a prenatal vitamin. You should begin taking a prenatal vitamin with folic acid three months before trying to conceive. Prenatal vitamins contain extra amounts of folic acid, iron, and calcium needed during pregnancy.