What is folic acid for when planning a pregnancy

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Expectant mothers need folic acid while carrying a baby. Find out what it is and why women need it when planning a pregnancy.

Folic acid value

Wanting to become a mother, every woman wants her baby to be born healthy. Yes, and his own state is also worried. During this period, various vitamin complexes are used to ensure the normal development of the fetus.

Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin belonging to group B. Some of it is produced in the body, for an ordinary person this is enough. We also get this component with some food.

Vitamin B9 deficiency is perfectly replenished with the help of synthetic products. It is usually taken before and during pregnancy.

Folic acid is required for these purposes:

• providing favorable conditions for conception;
• improving memory;
• slowing down the aging process;
• normal development of the child;
• smoothing out the manifestations of menopause;
• elimination of irritability;
• protection against blood clots;
• elimination of symptoms of anemia;
• normalization of the nervous system;
• correct development of the fetal neural tube.

The action of vitamin B9

Although inexpensive, this component is considered indispensable. Experts explain why women need folic acid. It turns out that when planning a pregnancy, it has the following effects:

• takes part in cell division - restores the skin, ensures the normal growth and development of the child;
• promotes hematopoiesis;
• strengthens the walls of blood vessels.

As doctors say, folic acid helps conception, ensures the full development of the baby. And this is due to the following properties:

• participation in the formation of DNA;
• normalization of carbohydrate and fat metabolism;
• strengthening the immunity of mother and child;
• participation in the synthesis of amino acids;
• help in the absorption of iron;
• restoration of muscle tissue.

If a woman is deficient in this substance, she has little chance of getting pregnant, unlike those who have enough vitamin B9. B9 deficiency negatively affects ovarian function and egg production.

Products with vitamin B9

When planning pregnancy, all women should know what folic acid is for. To maintain normal levels of vitamin B9, you need to consume the following foods:

• beef;
• red fish;
• chicken offal;
• leek;
• cereals - barley and buckwheat;
• wild garlic;
• beets;
• carrot;
• cucumbers;
• broccoli;
• melon;
• banana;
• mushrooms.

B9 are rich in peaches, peas, oranges, cabbage, beans, pumpkin, rose hips. The richest sources of vitamin include spinach, liver, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, black beans.

Benefits during pregnancy

According to statistics, if women start taking vitamin B9, they will soon become mothers. But the explanation is simple:

• women are attentive to their health;
• are undergoing examinations;
• take vitamins;
• monitor the quality of products.

Often, expectant mothers urge their men to undergo wellness procedures. Future dads begin to monitor their lifestyle, nutrition, and eliminate bad habits. And when partners have no health problems, they quickly become parents.

Folic acid contributes to this process, but is not considered the only factor that can affect successful conception. An integrated approach is important.

Admission rules

During the first trimester, many of the baby's organs are formed. That is why vitamins are required to support this process. Experts advise starting taking B9 about 3 months before conception.

According to reproductologists, this time is enough to fill the lack of a substance. The dosage should be individualized. In this regard, you should consult your doctor after passing the examination.

Dose

When planning childbirth, folic acid is taken at 400 mcg per day. This rule applies to women who have not had miscarriages, stillbirths or the birth of underdeveloped children.

If conception has occurred, the course is carried out in the same dose until the end of the first trimester, that is, until the 12th week. If the above cases are present, then the norm is 1000-4000 mcg per day. The doctor prescribes a scheme depending on the problem. In this case, the specialist must control everything.

If folic acid is combined with other medications that reduce its absorption, the dose is increased. But this should be prescribed by a doctor. Most often, in such cases, the drug is prescribed before childbirth.

You shouldn't do the treatment yourself. A shortage, like an excess of B9, negatively affects the health of a woman and a child. It is necessary to adhere to the doctor's prescriptions.

Lack and overdose

Folic acid deficiency leads to the following problems:

• high fatigue;
• hair loss, brittle nails;
• anemia;
• the risk of blood clots;
• exacerbation of symptoms with menopause;
• risk of fetal pathologies.

Due to an overdose, the following consequences occur:

• bitterness in the mouth;
• frequent nausea;
• flatulence;
• irritability;
• the risk of cancer cells;
• disturbances in the activity of the adrenal glands and kidneys;
• the appearance of adenocarcioma of the mammary glands.

If you want to become a mother, you should be attentive to your health. It is also important to remember why women need folic acid. But it must be borne in mind that when planning a pregnancy, both a lack of this component and an excess are dangerous. Monitoring by a doctor will help prevent this.

Summarize

1. Folic acid is essential for the health of pregnant women and those who are just planning to become a mother.
2. Vitamin B9 is required for the full development of the fetus.
3. The component is found in both food and medicine.
4. Prescribing drugs, dosages should only be a doctor.
5. It is important to remember about the dangers of vitamin deficiency and excess.