Folic acid during pregnancy – why and how to take it

Folic acid during pregnancy is essential for the development of the fetus’s nervous system. Few women know that they should take folic acid before pregnancy, as it helps facilitate conception. Unfortunately, the mother’s body cannot produce this vitamin on its own, so supplementation is necessary.

Folic acid during pregnancy (also known as Vitamin B9, B11, or Folacin) must be taken by pregnant women until the end of the first trimester. However, folic acid should be taken even before pregnancy to ensure better development of the baby, as it supports organogenesis, the development of the baby’s organs. Folic acid should be taken about six months before pregnancy.

Folic acid supplementation during pregnancy

Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin. It is considered the most important vitamin during this extraordinary time for women. Folic acid can be taken during pregnancy through foods like spinach, Brussels sprouts, lettuce, cabbage, as well as legumes and fruits such as oranges and bananas. Vitamin B11 is also abundant in liver but should only be consumed in moderation during pregnancy due to its high Vitamin A content. During pregnancy, folic acid is involved in cell regulation and contributes to the normal maturation of red blood cells (erythrocytes). Without sufficient amounts of folic acid, anemia can develop. Vitamin B9 plays a crucial role in the biosynthesis of DNA, genetic material. However, the most important role of folic acid during pregnancy is to promote the formation of the neural tube, the fetus’s embryonic nervous system. It has been estimated that folic acid supplementation during pregnancy reduces the risk of neural tube defects by 70%. Additionally, long-term folic acid intake reduces the risk of women developing cervical cancer.

When and how much folic acid should be taken?

Many women wonder how long they should take folic acid during pregnancy. Doctors recommend taking it until the 16th week of pregnancy. The daily dose of folic acid during pregnancy should be about 0.4 mg. Supplementing with this ingredient before pregnancy is justified. The first 3-4 weeks are crucial for fetal development, and sometimes women are unaware of their condition at this stage of pregnancy. Therefore, the folic acid dosage should be taken very systematically both during and before pregnancy. Excess folic acid during pregnancy is excreted in the urine and cannot cause an overdose. During pregnancy, a folic acid deficiency can lead to cleft lips and palates, heart defects, or neural tube defects. Some gynecologists also recommend that prospective fathers trying to conceive with their partner should take folic acid in consistent doses. Sperm that is rich in this component has better quality and protects against developmental disorders.

When are higher doses of folic acid used?

There are cases where folic acid dosage during pregnancy must be significantly higher. These include twin pregnancies, a BMI of over 30 in the pregnant woman, and smokers. For expectant mothers with megaloblastic anemia and hyperhomocysteinemia, a folic acid dose of 1 mg during pregnancy is recommended. The highest dose – 4 mg – should be taken by women with epilepsy or those who had neural tube defects in previous pregnancies.