{"id":10070,"date":"2021-04-26T17:17:45","date_gmt":"2021-04-26T21:17:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.oviahealth.com\/guide\/10070\/folic-acid-during-pregnancy\/"},"modified":"2024-06-04T12:01:25","modified_gmt":"2024-06-04T16:01:25","slug":"folic-acid-during-pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.oviahealth.com\/guide\/10070\/folic-acid-during-pregnancy\/","title":{"rendered":"Folate and folic acid during pregnancy"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Part of the B Vitamin group, folate – known as folic acid in its synthetic form – is potentially the single most important nutrient to consume while trying to conceive and in <\/span>early pregnancy<\/span>. With a recommended daily dose during pregnancy of at least 400 micrograms (mcg), folic acid is very much a \u201ccan\u2019t-miss\u201d nutrient, and it should be prominently featured in every prenatal vitamin. Those folks who are trying to get pregnant should start taking folic acid supplements about 3 months before they begin trying to conceive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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How do folate and folic acid help development?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Proper folate intake can help set the groundwork for a healthy pregnancy, and a healthy baby. The importance of folate begins at <\/span>the earliest<\/span> stage of pregnancy <\/span>because an<\/span> embryo needs to start tapping into your folate reserves to start developing the little cells for their neural tube, which will grow to become the brain. Without proper folate access, there is a much higher chance of developing a neural tube defect like spina bifida. There is an increased risk of fetal anomalies such as cleft palate or miscarriage if adequate intake is not achieved during pregnancy, particularly during the first three months.<\/p>\n

What are some good sources of folate?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Foods that are high in folate or folic acid include:<\/span><\/p>\n