How Many Folic Acid For Pregnancy

Why Do Doctors Prescribe 5mg Of Folic Acid

Folic acid is used for the prevention of recurrence of neural tube defects. For prophylaxis in chronic haemolytic states or in renal dialysis: 5mg every 1-7 days depending on diet and underlying disease.

Is 500 ug of folic acid enough?

So experts say that all women who are able to get pregnant should take a daily supplement that has 400 to 800 mcg of folic acid. Some women need even higher doses. Women who are pregnant with twins or more should take 1000 mcg a day.

How many tablets of folic acid should be taken in a day?

Women Need 400 micrograms of Folic Acid Every Day. CDC urges every woman who could become pregnant to get 400 micrograms of folic acid every day. The B vitamin folic acid helps prevent birth defects.

Why Is Folic Acid Important For Pregnant Women

Folic acid can help prevent birth defects in the brain or spine. These structures are formed from your babyâs neural tube early in pregnancy, which is why it’s crucial to get enough folic acid in the first trimester. Some studies indicate folic acid also helps guard against heart defects and other birth defects like cleft lip and palate.

Dose Before And During Early Pregnancy

It is recommended to take folic acid while you’re trying for a baby and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

The usual dose if you’re trying to get pregnant and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy is 400 micrograms, taken once a day.

Your doctor or midwife may recommend taking folic acid throughout pregnancy, particularly if you are at risk of anaemia or are anaemic.

If you have a higher chance of having a baby with a neural tube defect your doctor will recommended an increased dose of 5mg, taken once a day.

You May Like: What Is The Best Way To Get Pregnant Fast

Where To Get Pregnancy Supplements

You can get supplements from pharmacies and supermarkets, or a GP may be able to prescribe them for you.

If you want to get your folic acid from a multivitamin tablet, make sure the tablet does not contain vitamin A .

You may be able to get free vitamins if you qualify for the Healthy Start scheme.

Find out more about the Healthy Start scheme.

How Much Folic Acid Do I Need

Adults in general should get 400 micrograms of folic acid, but women who are pregnant or planning to get pregnant require 400 to 800 micrograms a day from all sources, including a balanced diet. If youâre eating a varied diet with plenty of leafy greens, fruit, and legumes, then an additional 400 micrograms of folic acid may be enough, whether you take it alone or in a prenatal vitamin complex. You may need a higher daily amount of folic acid if you’ve already experienced a pregnancy with a neural tube defect, or if you’re taking certain medications. Talk to your healthcare provider if youâre not sure about how much folic acid you need.

Don’t Miss: What Pain Reliever Can You Take While Pregnant

Taking Folic Acid When Youre Trying To Get Pregnant

Women who are trying to get pregnant or who are capable of becoming pregnant should take 0.4 mg of folic acid per day. The effects of higher dosages of folic acid are not well known, but could complicate the diagnosis of a vitamin B12 deficiency. To learn more about the B12 vitamin and pregnancy, read How Vitamin B12 Affects Fertility.

So, women who are not pregnant yet should be careful NOT to take more than 1 mg per day of folic acid except under supervision of a doctor or ob-gyn. If you have had a baby in the past who had a neural tube defect, then your next baby is at a higher risk of future health problems.

Dont Miss: Whats The Best Early Pregnancy Test

How Much Folic Acid Do You Need

All pregnant women should take get at least 600 micrograms of folic acid daily, according to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Most prenatal vitamins contain this amount of folic acid.

Taking folic acid after you discover youre pregnant may not be soon enough. Many women dont realize theyre pregnant until 6 weeks or more after conception. Neural tube defects occur during the first month of pregnancy, often before you realize youre pregnant.

To make sure you have enough folic acid in your body to prevent neural tube defects, the CDC recommends women who plan to become pregnant or who are of childbearing age take 400 mcg of folic acid daily.

If youve already given birth to a child with a neural tube defect, you may need higher doses of folic acid in the months leading up to your next pregnancy and during the first few months of pregnancy. Your doctor can advise you on the right dose.

You may also need higher doses of folic acid if you:

• have kidney disease and are on dialysis
• have liver disease
• drink more than one alcoholic beverage daily

Natural folate is found in many foods including leafy greens, beets, and broccoli. Some foods in the United States are fortified with folic acid. These include:

Many servings of fortified breakfast cereals contain 100 percent of the folic acid you need. Even so, it may be hard to know exactly how much youre getting unless you track the amounts of folate and folic acid in everything you eat.

You May Like: Can I Get You Pregnant

Why Is Folic Acid Important During Pregnancy

Folic acid is a B vitamin found in many supplements and fortified foods. Its the synthetic form of folate. Folic acid is used by your body to make new cells and produce DNA. Its required for normal growth and development throughout your life.

Taking folic acid is particularly vital before and during pregnancy. Its important for the proper organ development of a developing baby.

Research shows that taking folic acid before you get pregnant may help prevent birth defects including serious neural tube defects such as spina bifida, encephalocele , and anencephaly.

Is Anyone Doing Anything About Too Much Folic Acid

One major concern noted in the report is the lack of availability of prenatal supplements containing the recommended 0.4 mg of folic acid.

Healthcare providers usually prescribe whats generally available in the marketplace, and most prenatal supplements have 1 mg of folic acid. Insurance companies reimburse for prescribed supplements only, so women will typically stick to what her healthcare provider prescribes.

In addition, the paper noted that individual companies are reluctant to reduce the folic acid dose in their prenatal supplements because it may put them at a competitive disadvantage if they are not comparable with other products.

But change may be happening. As a result of the workshop, major educational initiatives by physicians and dietitians to increase awareness about the discrepancy between folic acid recommendations and supplement dosages are now underway across the country.

However, when asked whether they had any plans to change the formulation for Centrum Prenatal with its 1 mg folic acid, a GSK Consumer Healthcare spokesperson said they continuously review the emerging science on all micronutrients, including folic acid, along with professional recommendations and take this into account when looking at developing new formulas. Our formulas are authorized by Health Canada and are within Health Canada guidelines. They are safe and effective when used as directed.

We need to get back to the recommended folic acid dose, says OConnor.

Read more:

Also Check: When Does Nausea Stop When Pregnant

Is Folic Acid Only For Pregnancy

Any woman whos been pregnant knows that some vitamins are prioritized. Physicians often encourage pregnant women to take DHEA, iron, and folic acid because the nutrients are critical components needed for fetal development. In some cases, a general prenatal vitamin can provide proper levels to meet nutritional needs for mom and baby. But many women are unsure if those essential nutrients are equally important when not pregnant.

How Much Folic Acid Should You Take Throughout Pregnancy

Neural tube defects, which are heavily influenced by the presence of folic acid in the bloodstream, occur in the first month of pregnancy. Since most women dont even realize they are pregnant early on, it isnt surprising that your doctors will suggest you start taking folic acid right when planning for a baby.

This is more of a protective measure than a preventive measure. Even if you dont get pregnant while actively trying, the excess folic acid wont negatively impact the bodys physiological functions.

So, its always better to be safe than sorry when trying for a baby.

Coming to the optimal dosage, every pregnant woman shouldtake 600 mcg of folic acid daily. However, when trying for a baby, the dosage should be400 mg per day.

Women who have given birth to a baby with neural tube defects might have to take a higher dosage of folic acid for their next pregnancy. This should be discussed with the OBGYN that you consult for your pregnancy and delivery.

The dosage of folic acid during pregnancy might increase in women with:

• Kidney disease or undergoing dialysis
• Sickle cell disease
• Past history of alcoholism
• On certain medications for type-2 diabetes, epilepsy, psoriasis, lupus, inflammatory bowel syndrome, etc.

Taking the correct dosage of folic acid is crucial to the overall health of the mother and the baby throughout the pregnancy.

Recommended Reading: How Easy Is It To Get Pregnant On The Pill

What Is Spina Bifida

Spina bifida is a neural tube birth defect that occurs when a babys spine and spinal cord dont form properly.

It is unclear what causes spina bifida but it can be linked to a combination of genetic and environmental risk factors, for example a family history of neural tube defects and folate deficiency.

Signs and symptoms of spina bifida vary by type and severity and can also differ per person.

Most spina bifida cases are detected with an ultrasound scan around 18 weeks of pregnancy.

How Much Folic Acid Should I Be Taking

It is not only the amount of folic acid that you take that is important, but the timing. Most neural tube defects happen in the first 4 weeks of pregnancy, often before the mother is even aware she is pregnant. For most women, a daily dose of 0.4 mg of folic acid per day throughout pregnancy and until breastfeeding ends is enough. If you have risk factors for neural tube defects or have had a previous pregnancy with a neural tube defect, you may need to take more. In addition to eating a diet rich in folic acid, follow the recommendations in this table.

Recommended Reading: Can You Do Laser Tattoo Removal While Pregnant

What Is The Difference Between Folic Acid And Folate

Folate and folic are terms that are often used interchangeably. However, there are significant differences to bear in mind:

• Folate is found naturally in food.
• Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate found in most supplements, plus some fortified foods.

Folate is part of the essential B group of vitamins. It is vital as it makes our DNA and other genetic components, and it helps maintain overall general health. It helps the body with cell division, and, in pregnancy, it is vital for your baby to grow a healthy nervous system .

What Is The Role Of Folate And Folic Acid In Pregnancy

Folate is important in red blood cell formation and for healthy cell growth and function. The nutrient is crucial during early pregnancy to reduce the risk of birth defects of the brain and spine. The recommended daily amount of folate for adults is 400 micrograms . Women who are planning pregnancy or could become pregnant are advised to consume 400 to 1,000 mcg of folic acid a day.

Folate is found mainly in dark green leafy vegetables, beans, peas and nuts. Fruits rich in folate include oranges, lemons, bananas, melons and strawberries. The synthetic form of folate is folic acid. Its in an essential component of prenatal vitamins and is in many fortified foods such as cereals and pastas.

A diet lacking foods rich in folate or folic acid can lead to a folate deficiency. Folate deficiency can also occur in people who have conditions, such as celiac disease, that prevent the small intestine from absorbing nutrients from foods .

Recommended Reading: How Can You Tell Your Pregnant By Your Pulse

What Are The Side Effects Of Folic Acid

Side effects caused by folic acid are rare. Often side effects improve as your body gets used to the new medicine.

Lay The Groundwork For A Healthier Pregnancy Today With Our Folate Supplement

At My Expert Midwife, we have developed a perfectly balanced nutritional supplement that contains the recommended daily allowance of folate in a highly absorbable form, alongside a host of other essential vitamins and minerals for pregnancy and pre-conception. As with all supplements, this should be taken alongside a well-balanced diet.

You can lay the groundwork for a healthier pregnancy by taking a supplement specifically developed for your and your babys needs, from pre-conception through to the post-birth period. Find out more about our supplements here and about the additional nutritional needs in pregnancy.

Also Check: What Are Early Early Signs Of Pregnancy

When Is The Right Time To Take It

Folic acid supplements or medications are water-soluble, meaning you need to take them daily for the best results. Some of these supplements are metabolized very quickly in the body.

There are no time-bound restrictions when you need to take the folic acid supplement. You dont need to take it after your meals or before your meals, or at a specific time of the day.

However, since taking it every day is crucial, taking the folic acid supplement at a designated time prevents you from missing out on taking it.

Ideally, wed recommend taking it with your breakfast each morning. Taking the optimal dosage of folic acid in pregnancy should be your priority over the time when you take it.

Can You Have Too Much Folic Acid When Pregnant

While its unlikely that youll take on too much folic acid through your diet, its important to stick to the recommended dosage in supplements. As with all supplements, taking above the recommended amount can pose health risks to both you and your developing baby. If in doubt, ask your midwife or other health care professional.

Read Also: How Fast Can You Get Pregnant After Taking Out Iud

How Much Folic Acid Do You Need When Youre Pregnant

The Department of Health recommends that you should take a daily supplement of 400 micrograms of folic acid before you’re pregnant and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, when your baby’s spine is developing2.

Its best to start taking it while youre trying to conceive so that you have a healthy intake from the moment your pregnancy begins. You should continue to take it throughout your first trimester, which is when your babys neural tube develops, forms and closes.

Many prenatal supplements contain the recommended 400mcg of folic acid, or you can choose to take a separate one if you prefer.

If youre on a lower income, you may qualify for free supplements through Healthy Start, a government-run initiative. Your midwife will be able to tell you more about this scheme.

Some women are at higher risk of neural tube defects and may need to take more folic acid during their pregnancy to provide greater protection. Your doctor may recommend taking 5000mcg per day in the following circumstances:

• If you or your partner have a neural tube defect.
• If there is any history of neural tube defects in your families.
• If you have had another pregnancy affected by neural tube defects.
• If you have diabetes.
• If you are taking medication for epilepsy.

If youre in your first trimester and didnt take folic acid before getting pregnant, dont worry. Start taking it now and carry on until at least your 12th week.

Why We Need Folate

Folate is important in cell growth and reproduction. Folate deficiency can result in a type of anaemia called megaloblastic anaemia which is a blood disorder characterised by the presence of enlarged immature and dysfunctional red blood cells .

Studies from the 1980s and 1990s showed that folic acid can help ensure healthy development of babies in early pregnancy. In 1999 Berry et al conclusively found that a daily dose of 400 µg of folic acid alone resulted in a reduction in neural tube defect risk similar to that reported in earlier studies, when taken at least one month before conception and for 12 weeks after conceiving.

More information can be found about this research in the publication Improving Folate Intake in New Zealand: Policy Implications .

Recommended Reading: How To Handle Unwanted Pregnancy