Contents:
- Medical Video: Importance Of Folic Acid During Pregnancy - Manipal Hospital
- Why is consuming folic acid important?
- When is the good time to consume folic acid?
- Food source of folic acid
Medical Video: Importance Of Folic Acid During Pregnancy - Manipal Hospital
Folic acid is part of the vitamin B group, exactly B9. Folic acid plays an important role in everyone's diet, while being responsible for cell growth and body development. Folic acid is very important for women who will be pregnant and who are in the early stages of pregnancy.
Why is consuming folic acid important?
Folic acid has a very vital position in brain development and spinal cord (spinal cord) baby. Even when you don't know that you are pregnant, brain and spinal cord Your baby has begun to form. With enough folic acid in your blood at that time, you have helped the formation of the brain and spinal cord baby optimally. Many women who do not understand that taking folic acid can help prevent the risk of some serious consequences.
Folic acid helps prevent birth disorders that have a direct impact on the brain and spinal cord, which is commonly known as NTD (neutral tube defects) or congenital disease due to the failure of the development of a baby's organs, such as spina bifida and anencephaly.
Taking folic acid at the right time with the right dose means reducing the risk of pregnancy disorders by up to 72%.
When is the good time to consume folic acid?
Taking supplements containing folic acid is very crucial. By consuming folic acid as much as 400 micrograms (mcg) per day, at least starting from one month before you and your partner trying to get pregnant, going on until during the first trimester, you will reduce the chances of babies getting NTD risk around 50-70%, while helping to reduce other births.
You can get folic acid supplements at the nearest pharmacy, or alternatively, you can take vitamins both prenatal vitamins and regular vitamins. The important thing is to make sure that your supplement contains 400 mcg of folic acid.
Women with the opportunity to get NTD are advised to consume folic acid with a higher dose, around 5 mg, every day until the gestational age reaches 12 weeks. You have a higher risk if:
- You or your partner has NTD
- NTD history in a previous pregnancy
- You or your partner have a family history of NTD
- You have diabetes
In addition, women who take anti-epileptic drugs should consult with a doctor regarding the consumption of folic acid, which should also be added to the dose. Ask about epilepsy, anti-epilepsy treatment, and its relationship to pregnancy.
If any of the above happens to you, contact your doctor so that you can be prescribed to consume more doses of folic acid. Your doctor or midwife may also recommend additional tests (screening) during your pregnancy.
Food source of folic acid
Some of the foods below can support your diet or consumption of folic acid:
- Green leaf vegetables, like spinach or lettuce
- Citrus or citrus-jerukan fruit
- Nuts
- Bread
- Cereals
- Rice
- Pasta
Your doctor or therapist may recommend supplements containing folic acid for daily consumption if the above food list does not meet your requirements for folic acid.
