Folic acid tablets for pregnancy

Why it's important

Folic acid is a form of folate, which is a B vitamin. It helps your body make new cells (for example, blood cells, brain cells, skin, hair, and nails). Every new cell in the body needs folate.

Folic acid is especially important during early pregnancy, because it helps the neural tube—which becomes the brain and spine—develop.

It is the only form of folate that's been shown to help prevent serious birth defects called neural tube defects (NTDs). NTDs are major birth defects of the baby's brain (such as anencephaly) and spine (such as spina bifida).

When to take folic acid morning or night

NTDs happen in the first few weeks of pregnancy, often before you know you are pregnant.

Also, about half of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended. By the time you realize you're pregnant, it might be too late to prevent an NTD.

That is why getting 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid before and during early pregnancy is important to help prevent NTDs.

Even if you're not planning to become pregnant, getting 400 mcg of folic acid daily is important.

Your body uses folic ac

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