When women get ready for a healthy pregnancy, they usually think about eating better, moving more, and deciding for conception. Yet one small task that tends to slide down the to-do list is taking folic acid in the months before conceiving. This everyday vitamin, often called B9, plays a key role in building the neural tube, the structure that later shapes the brain and spine.
This article is authored by Dr Ameet Soni, Associate Vice President, HoD - Medical Affairs, CORONA Remedies Limited.
A vital vitamin, folic acid is essential for cell division and DNA synthesis, two processes that are vital in the early phases of pregnancy. Because the neural tube begins to form in the first few weeks after conception, these processes are particularly significant. The baby's brain and spinal cord will eventually emerge from the neural tube. But this occurs very early in pregnancy, frequently before many women are even aware that they are carrying a child.
Folic acid supplementation prior to pregnancy is crucial because the neural tube is developing during the first 28 days after conception. Folic acid lowers the risk of birth defects involving the brain and spinal cord by ensuring that the neural tube forms properly. Without enough folic acid, there is a higher risk of conditions such as spina bifida, a defect of the spine, and anencephaly, where the brain doesn't develop fully. Taking folic acid before and during early pregnancy can significantly lower these risks.
Experts recommend that all women planning to conceive take at least 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid daily, starting at least one month before pregnancy and continuing throughout the first trimester. Folic acid is a type of B vitamin that plays a critical role in the development of the baby’s brain and spine. It helps in the formation of the neural tube, which eventually becomes the brain and spinal cord. Women who are at a higher risk of having a baby with neural tube defect (NTD), doctors may suggest taking higher doses of folic acid. Neural tube defects are serious birth defects that affect the brain, spine, or spinal cord, such as spina bifida or anencephaly. Women who are at a higher risk include those who have a family history of NTDs, have had a previous pregnancy affected by an NTD. In such cases, doctors may recommend doses of up to 4,000 mcg (4 mg) of folic acid daily to help reduce the risk of these defects.
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Consuming foods high in folate is beneficial as well as taking folic acid supplements. Dark leafy greens such as spinach and kale, legumes like lentils and chickpeas, fortified cereals and breads, zesty citruses such as oranges and lemons, avocados, and eggs all pack plenty of the vitamin. Adding these everyday items to your meals helps you get enough folate the natural way and gives your body an extra health boost. Pairing these foods with a daily supplement also seals the deal and keeps your prenatal routine on track.
Reaching for folic acid well before pregnancy is more than good advice; it is a simple habit that can protect both mother and baby. When the level of folic acid in the mother’s body is right, the odds of a smoother pregnancy and a healthier child climb higher. Making sure the diet hits the mark with folate, whether through food alone or through an easy tablet, is a small step that pays off in big ways.
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