How much folic acid during pregnancy required - Benefits of folic acid

Folic acid (also known as folate or vitamin B9) is a very necessary vitamin, especially for women during pregnancy and the use of folic acid in pregnancy is compulsory. Folic acid helps to grow and protect body cells and it is found in some foods, especially green leafy vegetables, and vitamin supplements which are necessary during pregnancy. During pregnancy, the less quantity of folic acid can cause some serious diseases for the mother and also for baby too.

When should we start folic acid supplements?

Since folic acid is important in early pregnancy, start taking a multivitamin with folic acid if you are trying to conceive and should use foods with folic acid. It is important to get a daily dose of folic acid before becoming pregnant. Continue this practice throughout the course of pregnancy and for at least four to six weeks after childbirth and during breastfeeding and make sure those benefits of folic acid should be reach to both mother and baby.

Neural tube defects (NTDs)

In early pregnancy, before conception, folic acid plays an important role in the early development of the fetal part called the neural tube. The neural tube is formed during the third and fourth week of pregnancy and develops into the brain and spinal cord. Neural tube defects (NTDs) result from a defect in neural tube closure. The number of NTDs includes spina bifida (the spine or exceeds its recovery back), anencephaly (absence of part of the brain), and encephalocele (a part of the brain develops outside the skull).

How to choose a multivitamin?

Discuss with your healthcare professional that what foods high in folic acid and how much folic acid during pregnancy are required? If you have less risk that your baby is suffering from neural tube defects, choose a multivitamin containing 0.4 to 1.0 milligrams (mg) of folic acid. However, if you are higher than your baby suffering from ATN risks, your healthcare provider may recommend a higher daily dose of folic acid. 

• You might incur more risk if:

• You have had a previous pregnancy affected by an NTD,

• You have a family history of NTDs,

• You belong to an ethnic group, according to research, is more at risk of NTDs (eg. Sikh or Celtic)

• You have insulin dependent diabetes,

• You are obese,

• You are taking certain medicines to treat seizure disorders,

• You have trouble remembering to take your medications,

• You are an alcoholic or addict.

If you have an increased risk, your healthcare provider may recommend a daily intake of 5.0 milligrams of folic acid for at least three months before conception. After 10 to 12 weeks of gestation, go to a lower dose (0.4 to 1.0 mg) for the remainder of the pregnancy and continue this diet during lactation.

Is it possible to take too much folic acid or vitamins?

How much folic acid during pregnancy is required is a very important question and there are different schools of thoughts available on it. Some say that excess amount of folic acid is dangerous for the body, another says not dangerously. Some say that if you take a multivitamin with folic acid and you feed a balanced way by following Canada's Food Guide, you will not be ingesting excessive doses of folic acid. The excess amount will be eliminated through the urinary tract. If you need a higher than normal amount of folic acid, discuss with your health care provider about taking folic acid supplements in addition to your multivitamin to get the appropriate amount, we can also use foods with folic acid for that purpose.

Consumption of a dose higher than the recommended vitamins can be harmful. Make sure you do not exceed the recommended daily dose of multivitamins. Read the label on the container of vitamins when you buy elsewhere at the pharmacy and take the benefits of folic acid. Choose a multivitamin with a component of vitamin A as beta-carotene rather than retinol, retinol since excessive intake can cause birth defects.