The pregnancy preparation stage is very important. Good preparation for pregnancy can increase the chance of conception and promote a healthy pregnancy. During pregnancy preparation, folic acid is an important nutrient that both men and women need to pay attention to. So, do both men and women need to take folic acid to prepare for pregnancy? Let’s answer this question in detail below.
First of all, women preparing for pregnancy need to take folic acid. Folic acid is a B vitamin that plays an important role in embryonic development and neural tube formation. Adequate folic acid intake can prevent the occurrence of fetal neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, encephalomyelitis, etc. Therefore, women should supplement 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid every day during pregnancy preparation. Folic acid can be obtained through dietary intake, such as green leafy vegetables, beans, eggs, etc., or oral folic acid supplements can be taken to meet the needs.
In addition, men preparing for pregnancy also need to take folic acid. Research shows that folic acid is not only beneficial to female pregnancy, but also has a positive impact on male fertility. Folic acid can improve sperm quality and quantity, reduce DNA damage, and increase sperm motility and motility. Therefore, men preparing for pregnancy can also supplement with an appropriate amount of folic acid to improve fertility.
In addition, the folic acid intake of both men and women during preparation for pregnancy should be carried out under the guidance of a doctor. Professional doctors can assess folic acid needs based on individual circumstances and give specific supplementation recommendations. In addition, folic acid supplementation should be started in advance, at least 3 months before pregnancy, and continued until 12 weeks of pregnancy. This ensures that folic acid is working during the important developmental stages of early pregnancy.
Finally, in addition to folic acid intake, men and women preparing for pregnancy also need to pay attention to other aspects of pregnancy preparation. Women can increase their chances of conceiving by eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding overeating and stress. Men can quit smoking and limit alcohol, avoid prolonged exposure to high temperatures, and maintain good living habits and a healthy lifestyle.
To sum up, both men and women need to supplement folic acid when preparing for pregnancy. Folic acid has a positive impact on both female pregnancy and male fertility. However, folic acid supplementation should be carried out under the guidance of a doctor, the demand should be assessed based on individual circumstances, and supplementation should be started in a timely manner. In addition, men and women preparing for pregnancy also need to pay attention to other aspects of pregnancy preparation and maintain a healthy lifestyle and good living habits. I hope that every man and woman preparing for pregnancy can have a healthy baby as soon as possible.
