Folic Acid In Pregnancy
The 9 months of pregnancy are very precious. During these months, you will share a special bond with your baby. You might notice that you are thinking about your baby at every moment. What is your baby doing? Is your baby getting enough food? Is he/she growing properly? Will he/she be healthy?
At these times, you should know that your food and lifestyle is very important for your baby's growth. You should eat healthy food and lead an active lifestyle so that your baby is born healthy and without any complications.
One of the most important vitamins that your baby needs for growing well is folic acid. In this blog, you can learn about folic acid, why you need folic acid in pregnancy, its benefits, risks of low folic acid and the foods that are rich in folic acid.
What is folic acid?
Blood transports oxygen and energy to all parts of the body. With less blood, your organs won't be able to function properly. To produce blood, your body needs vitamin B9.
We get vitamin B9 in the form of folates in our food. If your diet does not include enough folates, doctors usually prescribe folic acid tablets. Folic acid is a good source of folates.
Why do you need folic acid in pregnancy?
In pregnancy, you are eating food for yourself and your baby. Whatever you eat should have the right nutrients that are required for your baby's growth. Folic acid is very important for the development of your baby's brain, spine and nervous system. So, you need to have more folic acid in pregnancy.
When should you take folic acid in pregnancy?
Your baby's growth and development begins from day 1 of conception. This means that by the time you find out that you are pregnant, your baby would have already started developing in your womb. In general, women find out that they are pregnant only after 4-5 weeks, usually after noticing a delay in their monthly period. So, doctors say that women should start taking folic acid tablets from the time they plan for pregnancy. Folic acid can also increase the chances of becoming pregnant.
Your friends or relatives might have started telling you to take folic acid tablets as soon as you gave them the good news that you are pregnant. But remember, only your doctor can tell you whether you need folic acid tablets or not. If your regular diet already has foods that have enough folates, you might not have to take folic acid tablets.
Folic acid tablets are usually prescribed by doctors in the first trimester of pregnancy itself. Over the 9 months of your pregnancy, your dosage can increase or decrease depending on your diet.
Take folic acid tablets/supplements only on your doctor's advice. Based on your body and your diet, your doctor will be able to tell you how much folic acid you will need daily.
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