Pregnancy is the most life-changing stage in a woman’s life, not only physically but also mentally. During this time, both the developing baby and the mother require additional pregnancy vitamins and nutrients. Of all the essential nutrients, folic acid is one of the most important ones. This nutrient helps prevent dangerous birth defects and helps improve the early developmental stages of the baby.
Hence, understanding why folic acid is very important and how to add it to your diet is essential to ensure a much healthier pregnancy. Let’s see the uses of folic acid during pregnancy in this blog.
What Is Folic Acid?
Folic acid is the artificial form of folate, which is a vitamin B (B9). This is useful for producing red blood cells and DNA synthesis. Folate can be found in natural foods, including citrus fruits, leafy greens, and beans. It is a synthetic, man-made version and is found in fortified foods and supplements.
This vitamin plays an essential part in cell division and tissue development, and that makes it vital for the development of a baby’s organs and body system during early pregnancy. The human system doesn’t store folate in huge amounts. Hence, it is essential to consume it as food or supplements.
Why Is Folic Acid Important During Pregnancy?
Folic acid’s important role in pregnancy cannot be overstated. Development of the neural tube is essential as it is the structure that is vital for forming the spinal cord and the baby’s brain. Folic acid deficiency during the early stages of pregnancy might contribute to the neural tube defects (NTDs), like spina bifida and anencephaly.
1. Supports Placental Development
A healthy placenta is critical for the baby’s nourishment throughout the pregnancy. Folic acid contributes to the proper development and function of the placenta. This ensures that the baby receives adequate oxygen and nourishment. If you are pregnant and need expert prenatal care, visit the best gynecology hospital in Coimbatore. Doing so can be extremely helpful for a customized diet plan and specialized support.
2. Prevents Birth Defects
Folic acid not only mitigates the risks of neural tube defects but also other birth defects that are linked to the baby’s brain and spinal cord. Based on a recent study, pregnant women who intake sufficient quantities of folic acid before and during their pregnancy early stage can reduce the risk of these defects more than women who don’t intake sufficient folic acid.
3. Promotes Maternal Health
Folic acid helps prevent anemia, which is a common disorder that occurs during pregnancy. It usually occurs as a result of a reduced level of red blood cells. Hence, folic acid consumption helps with energy production and overall maternal wellness.
4. Supports DNA Development and Baby’s Growth
Folic acid helps with new cell formation, DNA synthesis, and the development of tissues. These are all critical for the baby’s early development.
What Are The Natural Forms Of Folic Acid?
Folic acid supplements are often suggested during pregnancy. But you may also have foods that have high folate content. A balanced diet must include folate-rich foods not only to improve pregnancy health but also for overall wellness. The natural forms of folic acid are
1) Citrus Fruits: Oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes are rich sources of vitamin C and folate.
2) Leafy Green Vegetables: Spinach, kale, lettuce, and collard greens are good sources of natural folate.
3) Legumes: Lentils, chickpeas, black beans, and kidney beans have a required quantity of folate, with other nutrients like protein and fiber.
4) Avocados: Avocados have an abundant amount of folic acid that is enough for pregnant women to meet their daily dose of folate.
5) Fortified Foods: Cereals, pasta, and bread have immense folate content.
6) Beets and Broccoli: Both broccoli and beets are better sources of folate, which also contain vitamins and antioxidants.
Adding these folate-rich foods to your diet helps get adequate folate naturally while supporting overall wellness.
When Should You Start Taking Folic Acid?
The most important factor everyone should know before taking folic acid is the right time to consume it. The neural tubes develop at the early stage of pregnancy before the woman even knows that she is pregnant. That is why the best gynecologist in Coimbatore suggests women who have attained their ideal age of conceiving take folic acid even before conception.
1. Before Pregnancy: Healthcare professionals recommend that women who are planning to conceive start taking folic acid a month before pregnancy.
2. During Pregnancy: The suggested everyday dose of folic acid during pregnancy is from 400 to 600 micrograms. Women with certain medical conditions or a history of neural tube defects might need high doses of folic acid. So, they should take it as prescribed by their physician.
3. After Delivery: Also, containing folic acid at the time of feeding helps support the growth of the baby and the recovery of the mother.
Conclusions
Folic acid might be a small nutrient, but it has a significant impact on pregnancy health. Preventing neural tube defects and supporting the overall development of the baby and the mother’s energy, the role of folic acid cannot be overstated.
The approach to adding folic acid for a healthy pregnancy is by adding a combination of a balanced diet rich in folate and supplements that are recommended by doctors. This approach helps ensure both the baby and the mother receive enough support. By understanding the importance of folic acid and adding it to your routine of prenatal care and pre-pregnancy journey, you can make sure that you have a healthy pregnancy.