Folic Acid and Pregnancy

 

Folic acid and pregnancy: how, when and why you should take it

 

Pregnancy and folic acid If you are planning to get pregnant, it is likely that you have read something or a friend has mentioned the need for you to start taking folic acid now. Why is this vitamin so essential? Among other things, because it decreases the chances of having an early abortion and helps prevent severe congenital disabilities, which can start even before you know you are pregnant.

 

In this article, I will explain in detail what folic acid is, where it is obtained, how and when to take it, what does is recommended in each case and more things you need to know if you are pregnant or plan to be pregnant.

 

What is folic acid?

 

Folic acid is the most common name for vitamin B9. It is naturally present in some vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, meats, and dairy. And we can also find its synthetic equivalent in vitamin supplements or fortified foods.

 

Like all the B group vitamins, it is vital for the proper functioning of our body and is very involved in maintaining brain and nervous system function.

 

The drawback is that, as it is a water-soluble substance, it is not stored in the body, so the excess amounts are discarded through the urine. What does it mean? That you have to ingest it daily.

Differences between folate and folic acid

 

Natural and Synthetic B9 It is common to refer to vitamin B9 as folic acid or folate interchangeably. However, they are not the same. Folate is the natural form in which this vitamin is present in some foods. At the same time, folic acid is a synthetic and, therefore, artificial folate, which is included in vitamin supplements and food supplements as well as in fortified foods.  Abortion Pills Available in Dubai

 

The difference is in their chemical structure and the way our body uses them. Folate is assimilated by the body through the mucosa of the small intestine, while folic acid requires an additional passage through the liver for the body to use it.

What are the benefits of folic acid?

 

Folic acid plays a fundamental role in the creation and maintenance of new cells and is necessary for the development (replication) of DNA. Besides, along with vitamin B12 and vitamin C, it helps in the production of red blood cells. All of the functions of vital importance during pregnancy, especially in the first weeks to ensure that the fetus develops properly. Buy Abortion Pills in UAE

 

Having the right amount of folic acid in the body from conception can prevent up to 70 per cent of some severe congenital disabilities such as neural tube defects, also called it. Although it does not sound like something familiar, in Spain, about 400 cases of ITD are diagnosed each year.

 

This vitamin also reduces the risk of miscarriage, premature placental abruption, or preeclampsia.

When to take folic acid?

 

Preconception visit It is recommended to start taking folic acid one or two months before becoming pregnant (minimum two months if you are in the high-risk group). If you do a preconception visit, your doctor will prescribe the appropriate dose.

 

It is started as soon as it is taken because the deformations of the neural tube that folic acid prevents occurs during the first four weeks of pregnancy, usually before you know you are pregnant. Abortion Pills Available in UAE

 

Once the pregnancy is confirmed, folic acid should be continued until the first 12 weeks.

 

Advice

Always try to take it in the morning as this is the time of day when folic acid is best absorbed.

Recommended amounts of folic acid

 

The amount of folic acid that each woman should take varies according to certain factors. The doctor will indicate the appropriate dose for you. To give you an idea, as a guide, the official medical recommendations are:

 

 Suppose you are in the high-risk group of having a pregnancy with neural tube deformities (NTD). Risk factors are:

Having a previous child with a neural tube defect.

Suffering from epilepsy and being treated with valproic acid or carbamazepine.

Being alcohol-dependent or drug-dependent.

• Suffering from obvious malnutrition or malabsorption.

In these cases, the recommendation is 4 mg per day.

 If you are planning to get pregnant and you do not have any of the risk factors in the previous point. Your doctor will indicate a dose of between 0.4 and 0.8 mg per day.

 Suppose you are of childbearing age with the possibility of having an unplanned pregnancy. Given the possibility of getting pregnant even without looking for it, doctors recommend taking 0.4 mg of folic acid a day. Abortion Pills in Dubai