Folic acid is one of the most important vitamins in the pregnancy program. Therefore, if you are planning to have children, it is important to take folic acid to increase fertility.
Folic acid can also help prevent birth defects in the baby’s brain and nerves. In addition, folic acid is believed to reduce the risk of miscarriage.
In order for the benefits to be maximized, you should know how to take folic acid for a pregnancy program.
Following Popmama.com summarize information related to the rules of taking folic acid for the pregnant program as reported by WebMD.
1. What is folic acid?
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Before discussing the rules for taking folic acid for a pregnancy program, it would be nice if we first understand what folic acid is.
Folic acid is a form of B vitamin that plays an important role in the production of red blood cells. In addition, folic acid can help the baby’s neural tube develop into the brain and spinal cord.
Folic acid can be found in a variety of foods, such as leafy green vegetables and citrus fruits. In addition, folic acid is also widely sold in supplement form.
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2. When should you start taking folic acid to get pregnant?
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The CDC recommends that women who are trying to conceive begin taking folic acid daily for at least one month before becoming pregnant.
Not only women who are in the program of getting pregnant, the CDC also recommends that all women of childbearing age consume folic acid every day.
Birth defects are at risk in the first 3-4 weeks of pregnancy. Therefore, it is important to take folate during the early stages of pregnancy when the baby’s brain and spinal cord are starting to develop.
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3. How much folic acid should be consumed to get pregnant?
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The recommended dose for all women of childbearing age is 400 micrograms of folate daily. If you take a multivitamin every day, talk to your doctor about the recommended amount.
Here are the rules for how much folic acid is recommended each day from pregnancy to breastfeeding:
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During the pregnancy program as much as 400 micrograms
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The first three months of pregnancy as much as 400 micrograms
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The fourth to ninth month of pregnancy as much as 600 micrograms
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When breastfeeding as much as 500 micrograms
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4. What are the benefits of folic acid?
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Folic acid has many benefits for the body. When taken before and during pregnancy, folic acid also protects the baby from the following conditions:
In addition to preventing the above conditions, folic acid can also reduce the risk of pregnancy complications, heart disease and some types of cancer.
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5. Food sources of folic acid
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In addition to supplements, there are many foods that are good sources of folic acid. You can consume folic acid from vegetables, such as asparagus, broccoli, spinach and cauliflower.
In addition to vegetables, you can also consume folic acid through the following foods:
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Orange fruit
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Avocado
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Nuts
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Sunflower seed
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Bread and cereal
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Egg yolk
Well, that’s information about the rules for taking folic acid for a pregnancy program. You can eat foods that contain folic acid, or you can also take folic acid supplements available at pharmacies.
Pay close attention if you buy folic acid supplements. Also consult with your doctor first before taking over-the-counter supplements.
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