How long should you take folic acid during pregnancy preparations?
During the pregnancy preparation stage, folic acid intake is very important for women’s health and embryonic development. Folic acid is a B vitamin that helps the body synthesize DNA and maintain normal cell division and growth. Early in pregnancy, folic acid intake is critical to preventing neural tube defects in the fetus. So how long should you take folic acid during pregnancy preparation?
1. Folic acid supplementation should be started from the beginning of pregnancy planning: The importance of folic acid to women’s health and embryonic development cannot be ignored. Women should start taking folic acid supplements during the planning stages of pregnancy. This is because folic acid does more than just prevent neural tube defects in early pregnancy. It can also improve women\’s reproductive health and reduce the risk of premature birth. Therefore, it is recommended that women start taking 400 micrograms of folic acid every day at least 3 months before trying to conceive.
2. Continue to supplement folic acid in early pregnancy: Once pregnancy is confirmed, women should continue to consume 400 micrograms of folic acid every day. Early pregnancy is the most critical stage for fetal neural tube development, so folic acid intake is essential. According to research, pregnant women who are deficient in folic acid may be at increased risk of birth defects, such as spina bifida. Therefore, consuming 400 micrograms of folic acid per day during early pregnancy is very important to prevent these deficiencies.
3. Sources of folic acid in the diet: In addition to folic acid supplements, there are also some foods in the diet that are rich in folic acid. These foods include green leafy vegetables (such as spinach, rape, lettuce, etc.), beans (such as soybeans, black beans, red beans, etc.), nuts (such as almonds, walnuts, cashews, etc.), animal liver, etc. Through a reasonable diet, you can increase your folic acid intake.
4. Consult a doctor: During preparation for pregnancy, women should consult a doctor regularly to understand their physical condition and folic acid supplementation. Doctors can recommend appropriate folic acid supplements based on individual circumstances and needs.
To sum up, folic acid supplementation should be started from the beginning of pregnancy planning and last for at least 3 months. Once pregnancy is confirmed, you should continue to take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily. In addition, increasing your folic acid intake through diet is also a good option. While preparing for pregnancy, women should also consult with their doctor to ensure that folic acid supplementation meets their individual needs. Remember, folic acid supplementation is vital to maternal and infant health and should not be ignored.
