What you need to know:
- Folic acid is a synthetic form of vitamin B9 (folate).
- Folate or folic acid is important to consume before and during pregnancy to prevent brain and nerve disorders in babies.
- You are advised to consume around 400 mcg of folic acid per day one month before pregnancy until the first 3 months of pregnancy. For months 4-9 of pregnancy, it is recommended that you consume 600 mcg per day.
- Apart from foods rich in folate such as green vegetables and nuts, you are advised to consume folic acid supplements or formula milk.
Folate (vitamin B9), or the synthetic form of folic acid, is one of the nutritional needs that must be met by pregnant women.
For those who are planning to become pregnant, you must meet your folic acid requirements of 400 mcg per day for the first 3 months of pregnancy. Then, from month 4 until the end of pregnancy, you will need 600 mcg per day.
Benefits of folic acid during pregnancy
For those who are planning a pregnancy or are pregnant, folic acid has an important role in preventing abnormalities in the fetus such as:
Folic acid plays an important role in preventing anencephaly and spina bifida. The reason is, folic acid helps the formation of the brain and neural tube.
Anencephaly is a condition where a baby is born without some parts of the brain and skull bones. This condition is quite fatal, and babies with anencephaly will not live long after birth.
Meanwhile, spina bifida is a disorder where the spine and spinal cord do not form completely.
Miscarriage is fetal death that occurs at a gestational age of under 20 weeks. By meeting your folic acid needs, you can prevent miscarriage and premature birth.
Folic acid together with iron has a big role in preventing anemia in pregnant women. Anemia during pregnancy can cause dangerous complications for mother and child.
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication where pregnant women experience high blood pressure, swelling, and urine with high levels of protein. If not treated quickly, this condition can cause eclampsia, seizures that occur during pregnancy.
By fulfilling your folic acid intake, you can also reduce the risk of preeclampsia.
How to meet your folic acid needs during pregnancy
You can get folate from foods such as:
- Legumes such as peas, green beans, and peanuts
- Beef liver
- Egg
- Green vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, kale and lettuce
- Cereals and other products that have been fortified with folic acid
During pregnancy, you can meet your needs for higher levels of folic acid from foods, supplements or other foods that have been fortified with folic acid. With that, you must work with your obstetrician to determine the dose and type of supplement needed based on your condition and health history.
Source
Mayo Clinic. (2023, August 10). Folate (folic acid) . Mayo Clinic. Accessed June 6, 2024, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-folate/art-20364625
Watson, S., & Johnson, MD, T.C. (2022, August 12). Folic Acid Benefits in Pregnancy . WebMD. Retrieved June 6, 2024, from https://www.webmd.com/baby/folic-acid-and-pregnancy