The Essential Benefits of Folic Acid During Pregnancy

Folic acid is very important for the child during pregnancy. If there is not enough folic acid in the body of a pregnant woman, then the neural tube of the child does not close properly. This can cause neural tube defects in the child. There are mainly two disorders in this -

• Spina bifida - In spina bifida, the protective layer formed around the spinal cord of the fetus developing in the womb does not close properly. Due to which there is a space in the middle of the spinal cord. This can cause permanent damage to the nerves of the fetus.
• Anencephaly - In anencephaly (congenital disease of the brain), most of the part of the child's brain is not formed properly.

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Children suffering from anencephaly do not survive for long. Apart from this, spina bifida is also a permanent disorder. This is one of the serious problems that occur during the formation of the fetus. But you can protect your child from such problems by consuming sufficient amounts of folic acid. If a woman's first child is born with such a problem, then as a precaution, doctors advise the woman to consume 4,000 micrograms (4 milligrams) of folic acid regularly before the birth of the second child. By taking folic acid before and during pregnancy, your child is protected from the following problems -

• Cleft lip and cleft palate
• Premature birth 
• Low birth weight of the baby
• Miscarriage
• Slow process of formation of the baby in the womb

Folic acid protects women from the following risks -

• Pregnancy related problems, such as pre-eclampsia.
• Heart disease 
• Stroke
• Some types of cancer
• Alzheimer's disease

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How much folic acid is necessary to take during pregnancy, this question comes in the mind of many women. Doctors advise women who are considering pregnancy to take 400 micrograms (0.4 milligrams) of folic acid. If you are taking multivitamin medicines, then you should consult your doctor for the exact amount of folic acid. Even if you are not taking multivitamin medicines, you can still take folic acid medicines. 

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According to the doctor, the amount of folic acid that women should consume daily is explained in detail below

• Before pregnancy - 400 micrograms (0.4 mg) (Read more - Home remedies to get pregnant)
• In the first trimester of pregnancy - 400 micrograms (0.4 mg)
• From the fourth month to the ninth month of pregnancy - 600 micrograms (0.6 mg)
• Breastfeeding women - 500 micrograms (0.5 mg)

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There are high chances of birth defects in the child from the third week to the fourth week of pregnancy. For this reason, it is important that you start taking folic acid from the beginning of pregnancy, because at this time the child's brain and spinal cord are formed. To prepare you physically before pregnancy, doctors also advise you to take folic acid along with some essential vitamins. A study has revealed that women who started taking folic acid about a year before pregnancy had a 50 percent reduced chance of premature delivery.

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Many experts say that women can take folic acid daily even a month before pregnancy. Apart from this, women should consume folic acid regularly even after pregnancy. The vitamins you take before pregnancy may not be needed in the same quantity even after pregnancy. In this situation, you should consult your doctor after pregnancy and ask about the amount of vitamins and folic acid you should take.

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Why folic acid is necessary during pregnancy has already been explained above. Let us tell you further that there are many such food items, with the help of which you can fulfill the requirement of folic acid during pregnancy. You can eat the following foods rich in folic acid during pregnancy -

• Kasuri methi
• Dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and others.
• Asparagus
• Beetroot
• Sprouted grains
• Soybean
• Mustard greens
• Turnip

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Other sources of folic acid -

• Salmon fish 
• Whole grains
• Intake of liver in non-vegetarian food
• Rajma
• Root vegetables
• All pulses 
• Wheat
• Lima beans
• Orange juice 
• Avocado
• Milk

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It is often seen that folic acid gets destroyed while cooking food, so do not cook folic acid rich food for long. The nutritional value of these food items decreases by cooking for a long time. Steam vegetables in less water. Apart from this, you can also consume vegetables by baking them. You can also eat many green vegetables raw, but it is very important to wash the vegetables thoroughly before that. However, many times, even after including these foods in your diet, many women remain deficient in folic acid. In such a situation, you can also opt for supplements containing folic acid by consulting your doctor. 

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Folic acid intake is extremely important during pregnancy, as it plays an important role in the healthy development of the baby. Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, helps prevent neural tube defects, such as spina bifida and anencephaly. It is essential for the development of the baby's brain and spinal cord. The recommended amount of folic acid for pregnant women is 400 to 800 micrograms daily. Folic acid intake reduces the risk of miscarriage and prevents anemia. Moreover, it is also helpful in reducing complications like preeclampsia in mothers. Hence, it is recommended to take a folic acid rich diet and supplements before conception and during pregnancy.