Folic Acid and Pregnancy

Most women do not understand how important folic acid is for their bodies and the health of their babies. For women who are not pregnant, it is important to have folic acid in order for your body to produce healthy new cells each day. For women who are planning on becoming pregnant, it is important to begin getting the right amount of folic acid each day prior to becoming pregnant. Birth defects of the baby’s brain or spine usually occur before the woman even knows she is pregnant—within the first few weeks of pregnancy.

Folic acid is a form of a water-soluble vitamin B that can be found naturally in food and also can be taken as a supplement. Folic acid can help prevent birth defects of the brain and spinal cord when taken before and during a pregnancy.

If you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant, then start a folic acid regiment. The suggested dose is 400 micrograms daily. A regular multivitamin will contain this amount.

The folic acid helps the baby’s neural tube—the part of a developing baby that becomes the brain and spinal cord. When the neural tube does not close properly, a baby is born with a birth defect called a neural tube defect (NTD). There are approximately 3,000 pregnancies affected by NTDs every year in the United States. Studies show that up to 70 percent of the NTDs could have been prevented with taking a daily dose of folic acid.

Folic acid has no known toxic level. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that women do not exceed more than 1,000 micrograms of synthetic folic acid a day.

Foods Rich in Folic Acid

Vitamins and supplements are a good way to ensure that you get the amount of folic acid that you need. There also are natural ways to consume folic acid. The following are some of the foods that are rich in folic acid.

• Fortified Breakfast Cereals such as Total
• Lentils
• Asparagus
• Spinach
• Black Beans
• Peanuts
• Orange Juice (from concentrate is best)
• Enriched Breads and Pasta
• Romaine Lettuce
• Broccoli

For a list of cereals that contain 100 percent of the daily value of folic acid, visit the CDC.

Studies now show that there are benefits of taking folic acid for both men and women, including that it may help prevent heart disease, stroke, colon cancer, breast cancer and depression.

To request an appointment with a doctor, call toll free 1.877.UT.CARES (1.877.882.2737).

For more information, visit the Center for Women & Children’s Health or Pregnancy and Childbirth Services.