When a woman is pregnant, her needs for vitamins and minerals increase, because she is carrying a child. One of these vitamins is B9 or more precisely - folic acid.
Folic acid can be taken with food. During pregnancy, folic acid is important, because it is involved in the process of building the placenta. It is also actively involved in cell division and child development.
Folic acid intake during pregnancy
- Folic acid should be taken at least three months before pregnancy. This is recommended by the World Health Organization, because it takes time for folate levels to increase in red blood cells. This way, folic acid prevents the formation of neural tube defects.
It is important to drink folic acid before you get pregnant and when you know you are expecting a baby. Experts recommend that if your pregnancy is at risk, you should take folic acid throughout your pregnancy.
- During the second and third trimesters of pregnancy from the 14th to the 27th week and from the 28th week, until shortly before birth. During this time, the placenta is the only way to deliver important substances to the baby. However, if the mother's body lacks insufficient folic acid, a network of blood vessels in the placenta is likely to develop. If this happens, there may be problems with the child's growth. This can lead to underdeveloped limbs as well as underdeveloped heart valves;
- During breastfeeding - when breastfeeding, the need for food is greater, but even then it is not easy to naturally get everything you need, especially folic acid. When you breastfeed, folic acid passes into the baby. This way it supports its growth;
- In chronic diseases - if you have diabetes, epilepsy, etc., it is necessary to increase the intake of folic acid. But the first thing you must do is consult a specialist. They should tell you how much folic acid to take. Folic acid dissolves in water, so you are unlikely to exceed the dose. But instead, it will keep you and your baby healthy.
Read more about:
- what does folic acid help with;
- and what are the top sources of folic acid;
