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Pregnancy diet and nutrition

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Folic acid

It's the most important prenatal supplement there is, and you should ideally start taking it before you start trying to conceive

Posted: 4 February 2009
by ThinkBaby

Doctors recommend that if you are thinking about having a baby you should start taking a folic acid (vitamin B9) supplement of 400mcg per day - preferably for three months before you try to conceive. If you’ve become pregnant unexpectedly then you should take folic acid as soon as you realise you are pregnant as it is particularly important in the early months of pregnancy.

Why you should take it
Folic acid is very important to the healthy development of a fetus. Most importantly it can reduce the risk of defects to the brain and spinal cord known as neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. Folic acid is also needed to help the early growth and development of the placenta and helps in the production of the extra blood cells women need when they're pregnant.

Where you find folic acid
To be absolutely sure you're getting at least the recommended amount of folic acid every day, it's best to take a supplement. You'll find folic acid supplements in chemists and health food shops, either as just folic acid or combined with other supplements for pregnancy. If you're a cereal eater then you can also look out for cereal fortified with 100% of the daily recommended intake of folic acid. (But make sure you then eat the right portion of cereal!) If you do take a supplement then it'll be better absorbed if you don't take it on an empty stomach.

Folic acid is also naturally found in fruits and citrus juices, leafy green vegetables like kale and broccoli, beans, nuts, wholegrain breads and wholegrain cereals, many of which will also help you towards your calcium intake. Remember that the fresher the source, the better, and that the more you cook food, the fewer nutrients end up on your plate.

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Discuss this story

payal patel

hi i am trying for baby give me some advice
Posted: 20/04/2007 15:26

Claza P

I took folic acid as soon as I started trying for a baby (now 11 weeks preg) so been on it nearly a year. Nothing was working for getting me preg so we tried having sex every day & it worked. Good luck
Claire xx
Posted: 20/04/2007 19:19

Vicky & Liam born 21/12/08

i never knew i was pregnant until i was 8 weeks and didnt know i should of been taken folic acid i started taken it straight away unfortunatly i miscarried at 9 weeks but docs told me cos were trying to continue taken folic acid and iron tablets and at the minute we are taken the same approach as claire sex every day, so fingers crossed! im not bothering with taken temps and trying to work out my cycle i think it puts the situation under too much stress. just let nature take its course. its certainalty not as easy as i thought it would be.

hopefully we will both get the results we are looking for soon

vicky xx

Posted: 13/03/2008 07:14

Meema1969

I am taking Pregnacare multi vitamins, I started taking them when I was pregnant last year (November) and even though I miscarried the Dr's told me to carry on taking them as we are still TTC. They have folic acid in them and loads of other vitamins, well it can't do any harm can it.

Meema xx

Posted: 17/02/2009 13:51

Mrs A - Baby Isla born 3rd June 2008

Hi goverment advice is to take folic acid for 12 weeks prior to trying to conceive and until 12th week of pregnancy. Folic acid is a form of vitamin B and is water soluble so no need to worry about it building up in the body.
Posted: 17/02/2009 16:10

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