Why folate is crucial during pregnancy

Spina bifida is one of the most common birth defects. It occurs in the first weeks of pregnancy, when the brain and spinal cord are forming. Most cases of neural tube defects can be prevented if you have enough folate before and during early pregnancy. These are available in Australia over the counter from pharmacies and through your doctor at varying doses.

Some women need more folate than others. Talk to your doctor about what dose of folic acid is right for you. Generally, when trying to get pregnant or in the early months of pregnancy, you will need to look for supplements that contain at least micrograms of folic acid. These will generally be supplements that contain only folic acid or special pregnancy supplements. The best way to guarantee you get enough folic acid is to take a daily folic acid supplement at least 1 month before and until 3 months after conception.

Many foods are naturally rich in folate, but folate dissolves in water and is easily destroyed by cooking. It is best to lightly cook vegetables or eat them raw. Microwave or steam cooking is best. The voluntary fortification of several foods with folate has been permitted in Australia since June Mandatory folic acid fortification of all flour used for making bread except organic bread started in Three slices of bread g contains an average of micrograms of folic acid.

Some women have an increased risk of having a pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect and are advised to take a higher dose 5mg of folic acid each day until they are 12 weeks pregnant. Women have an increased risk if:. In addition, women who are taking anti-epileptic medication should consult their doctor for advice because they may also need to take a higher dose of folic acid.

If any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor since they can prescribe a higher dose of folic acid. Your doctor or midwife may also recommend additional screening tests during your pregnancy. Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content. Find out more about folic acid, folate and neural tube defects here.

Read more on Better Health Channel website. Folic acid is present in dietary supplements and fortified foods, including breads, flours, cereals, and grains. It is also a common addition to B-complex vitamins. Many foods are naturally high in folate. The best sources include :. Folate deficiency occurs when there is not enough folate present in the body. This can lead to a type of anemia called megaloblastic anemia.

There are no serious side effects associated with taking too much folic acid. In very rare cases, people may report an upset stomach. If a person takes more folate than necessary, there is no cause for concern. Folic acid is water soluble, so any excess will naturally pass through the urine.

Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate, an important B vitamin. Most people get enough folate from their diet, but people at risk of deficiency and women who may become pregnant may need to take folic acid supplements. Folic acid supplements are available to purchase online.

Find out about the potential benefits of iron including assisting with a healthy pregnancy, helping both mental and physical performance, and…. Anemia is the most common blood disorder. The body does not have enough red blood cells and is unable to deliver enough oxygen around the body. Nutrition is the study of food and how it affects the body. Here, learn about the components of nutrition, who the experts are, and what each nutrient…. What to know about folic acid.

Medically reviewed by Kathy W. Warwick, R. Importance Who should take it? Recommended intake Natural sources Deficiency Side effects Summary We include products we think are useful for our readers.

Healthy pregnancy. Home Healthy pregnancy. Folate for pregnant women. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. The neural tube Dietary folate Foods in Australia that are fortified with folic acid How to increase your folate intake Women at higher risk need more folate Where to get help Things to remember.

How to increase your folate intake You can get enough folate if you: Take folic acid supplements Eat folate-rich foods — folate is present in a variety of vegetables such as asparagus, spinach and broccoli and fruits such as oranges, bananas and strawberries as well as legumes such as chickpeas, dried beans and lentils , cereals, nuts and yeast extracts such as Vegemite Choose foods that have been fortified with folic acid — this includes some breakfast cereals and fruit juices, and most bread.

Women at higher risk need more folate Some women have a higher risk of having a baby with a neural tube defect. You are at greater risk if you or your partner : already have a baby with a neural tube defect have a neural tube defect yourself have a close relative affected by a neural tube defect take medicine for epilepsy or seizures — some medications affect the absorption of folate have type 1 diabetes — discuss folic acid supplements with your doctor.

Using folic acid supplements is a good way to ensure adequate daily intake. More information here. Pregnancy, Dietitians Association of Australia. Mandatory folic acid and iodine fortification in Australia and New Zealand: baseline report for monitoring, , Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australian Government. Give feedback about this page. Was this page helpful?

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