Having a folic acid supplement while pregnant

Folic supplements are recommended for pregnant women. Folic acid is also referred to as vitamin B9 or folate. There are several reasons for folic acids supplements being recommended for pregnant women. Here are some of the reasons for prescribing folic acid for pregnant women:

• Neutral tube defects

Folic acid is vital for preventing neural tube defects. These are serious birth defects brain and spinal cord. These defects are known to occur at an early development stage. The problem is that most women do not know about this even before they are pregnant.

• Recommended strongly

Daily dose of folic acid is recommended by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for pregnant women. The dose should be started a month before they conceive. The dosage is continued throughout the first trimester of pregnancy.

• Reduces risks

Many researches show that folic acid dosage can helping reducing risk of the baby developing other defects such as cleft palate, cleft lip and certain heart defects.

• Prevents anemia

Pregnant women require folate to produce normal red blood cells. This also prevents anemia.

• DNA

Folate promotes making, repair, and functioning of DNA.

• Preeclampsia