Why Folic Acid Is Important Before And During Pregnancy?

by Sugata C. HEALTHY and FITNESS

Benefits of Folic Acid Before and During Pregnancy

Folic acid is a nutrient that every pregnant is recommended to take. It has also been proved in one study that women who consume folic acid from one year before conception reduce their risk of premature delivery by 50 percent.

However, there are various questions in the mind of women about taking folic acid in pregnancy, such as how much it should be taken, for how long. In this article of HEALTH and FITNESS, we will try to answer most of the questions related to folic acid during pregnancy.

In this article

• What is Folic Acid?

• Why should you take folic acid while pregnant?

• How much folic acid should be taken during pregnancy?

• When should you start taking folic acid?

• How long should folic acid be taken during pregnancy?

• What are the symptoms of folic acid deficiency during pregnancy?

• Folic acid rich foods for pregnancy

• Frequently Asked Questions

First, let us know what folic acid is.

WHAT IS FOLIC ACID?

Folic acid is a type of vitamin-B (also known as vitamin B9). It is naturally available in foods as folate. It helps in the formation of new cells and nucleic acids in the body. Lack of it may increase the risk of multiple birth defects in the fetus. This is why doctors also recommend taking folic acid supplements when needed.

Let us now know why it should be taken during pregnancy.