At the planning stage of pregnancy and immediately after conception, doctors recommend taking folic acid. This appointment was widely used not so long ago, as a result of which women often doubt the feasibility. They explain this with well-known excuses: "Our mothers and grandmothers gave birth without all the additives, and everything was fine." But they do not take into account that the same grandmothers grew up in different conditions, and in the modern world, for a number of reasons, the risk of all kinds of congenital diseases increases.
What is folic acid?
Folic acid, also called vitamin B9, is a water-soluble vitamin necessary for the development of the immune and circulatory system. The name "folic" comes from the Latin word "folium" (translated as "leaf"), since the vitamin is found in salads, spinach, beets, sunflower seeds, beans and so on.
Folic acid was first introduced in 1931, when it was proved that it helps prevent anemia in pregnant women. Only at that time they did not take pills, but yeast extract. Another important fact was later clarified. The fact is that thanks to the vitamin, the risk of developing fetal neural tube diseases is reduced by 70%. Moreover, the use of folic acid completely reduced the incidence of miscarriages, since it does not allow the development of dangerous conditions that are not compatible with the life of the embryos.
In most cases, doctors recommend taking folic acid at 0.4 mg per day. This dosage is suitable for those women who have not had previously frozen pregnancies or cases of the birth of a child with neural tube defects. If a similar situation occurred, then the dosage increases, but a certain amount is determined by the doctor, since excessive consumption of vitamin A is not beneficial.
Is folic acid necessary for conception?
Immediately, we note that this vitamin does not affect the effectiveness of fertilization. Its goal is to reduce the risk of developing several diseases.
As a rule, folic acid for conception is already included in vitamin complexes for pregnancy planning. Reviews about these drugs are positive, as they contain all the necessary trace elements.
Many women believe that taking the drug is only after conception. But everyone knows that vitamins accumulate in the body, and their action takes time. That is, if you want to get the most benefit from the drug, then you should start taking it about three months before the proposed conception. By the end of the first trimester, you can cancel taking the drug, since complex multivitamins in which this vitamin is present are prescribed.
Is it worth taking folic acid if a multivitamin complex has already been prescribed for a pregnant woman?
The benefits of taking folic acid for pregnant women have been proven repeatedly. In most cases, doctors prescribe vitamin complexes, which already include folic acid. At the same time, the dosage of this vitamin is quite enough to prevent the development of neural tube defects. An additional intake of the drug is justified only for strict indications.
The folic acid content of foods
- Beans: 300 mcg per 100 g.
- Walnuts: 155 mcg per 100 g.
- Brussels sprouts: 132 mcg per 100 g.
- Hazelnuts: 113 mcg per 100 g.
- Broccoli: 110 mcg per 100 g.
- Melon: 100 mcg per 100 g.
- Strawberries: 62 mcg per 100 g.
- Grapes: 43 mcg per 100 g.
- Oranges: 30 mcg per 100 g.
What is folic acid needed for?
This substance is necessary for:
- assimilation and breakdown of proteins in the body;
- cell division;
- ensuring normal blood formation: the formation of platelets, white blood cells, red blood cells;
- assimilation of sugar and amino acids;
- participation in the formation of DNA and RNA, which are responsible for the transmission of hereditary traits;
- prevention of atherosclerosis;
- reducing the risk of food poisoning;
- improving appetite and the functioning of the digestive tract.
Folic Acid Before Pregnancy
Each of us knows that pregnancy for a woman is not only a joyful expectation, but also the emergence of a number of problems. The body spends all its efforts on the development of a new life, as a result of which vitamins, useful trace elements are spent on the child. The only thing that remains for the future mother is what was not used on the baby. Unfortunately, there is not always something to stay. For this reason, folic acid is needed for conception. To be more precise, it is advisable to take complex vitamins to prevent many troubles associated with a deficiency of nutrients. If we talk about folic acid, then its lack can provoke a number of problems:
- the formation of congenital malformations in the fetus (malnutrition, neural tube defect, mental and physical developmental delay, anencephaly);
- miscarriage in the early stages;
- partial or absolute detachment of the placenta;
- frozen pregnancy.
Of course, this does not mean that without taking this vitamin, you will certainly encounter the above problems. You only increase the risk, and nothing more. A detailed picture can only be shown by a blood test, as well as an examination by a doctor.
It is worth noting the erroneous opinion that folic acid promotes conception. Vitamin does not affect these processes in any way.
How long should folic acid be taken?
Not all couples get pregnant in the first months of planning. For this reason, many women wonder how long folic acid is taken before conception. The fact is that this vitamin does not have cumulative properties. This means that the body requires its constant intake. Of course, the dosage should be small, allowing you to maintain the acid content in the body at the proper level. If you do not want to take pills, then limit yourself to the frequent use of those products that contain folic acid. Reviews about the drugs are different, but in fact there are no negative reviews. Allergic and other adverse reactions are not observed, and it is difficult to judge the positive effects. After all, we do not see if the drug prevented the development of the disease in a certain case. But the main thing is that babies whose mothers took folic acid were born on time without the defects mentioned above.
Multiple pregnancy
According to statistics, folic acid is actually used to conceive twins. Of course, this does not mean that you will definitely have twins, but the chances are increased by 40%. Unfortunately, none of the doctors will say what dosage is needed for this. Each organism is individual, but even if you become pregnant with one, and not two children, then there will still be no harm from taking the vitamin.
Folic acid for men
All constantly indicate the fact that women need to take vitamins, including folic acid. However, few people know that men should take care of their health. In addition, a lack of vitamin negatively affects the condition of sperm, their motility and quality. So it is desirable that folic acid for conception be taken not only by expectant mothers.
But the drug is prescribed, as a rule, only after identifying problems. Up to this point, it is extremely rare for men to take vitamins themselves. Despite the comprehensive development of medicine and widespread access to information, many men mistakenly believe that the effectiveness of conception depends solely on the woman. Also, all responsibility for the health of the future baby is transferred to the mother.
Studies have shown a different picture. Improper diet, unhealthy lifestyles, congenital diseases, gastrointestinal problems increase the risk of problems with conception. If fertilization has occurred, then fetal pathologies and defects may develop. It is possible to reduce the likelihood of such problems if folic acid is taken on time. The price of such a drug varies and can be either 100 or 300 rubles. It all depends on the manufacturer, dosage, packaging and the number of tablets, of course. In any case, the cost is quite acceptable, especially considering the positive qualities of this vitamin.
How is folic acid taken for conception?
A certain dosage is most often prescribed by a doctor. If you decide to start taking the drug yourself, then use the instructions. Depending on the concentration of vitamin in one tablet, the dosage regimen differs. In most cases, 0.4 mg per day is enough to plan a pregnancy. After conception, the dosage is doubled. Excessive zeal in this case is not welcome, so it is undesirable to take more than 0.8 mg per day without a doctor’s prescription. Excess vitamins in the body often lead to serious problems, and this applies to this substance.
Be that as it may, it is difficult to overdo it with the dosage of this drug, because even the daily norm is only partially absorbed. For this reason, you can safely take vitamins during pregnancy planning, as well as after conception.