Folic Acid should be used also BEFORE pregnancy

Health care professionals are urging women who could become pregnant to up their intake of folic acid.

A panel of experts from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada and Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children, along with Health Canada say certain birth defects can be prevented if women who become pregnant are taking proper amounts of folic acid.
According to Health Canada, folic acid is important in the normal development of a baby's spine, brain and skull and can prevent defects such as spina bifida.

It is recommended that women take a supplement of 0.4 milligrams of folic acid daily, along with eating sufficient amounts of foods fortified with folic acid such as spinach, broccoli, corn, oranges, peas, beans and lentils.

The supplement should be taken at least three months prior to becoming pregnant and should continue to be taken through the first three months of pregnancy.

"Folic acid becomes critical near the end of the first month of pregnancy," said Heather McAvoy, public health nutritionist at the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region

"Often women don't even realize they are pregnant at this time so it's important to have already been taking the supplement."

McAvoy also pointed out that some women are at a higher risk of having a baby with a birth defect.

"If you have had neural tube defect pregnancy, or have a family history of that problem, or if you have diabetes, epilepsy or you are overweight, you should consult a doctor before planning a pregnancy,"

Source: P.A. Daily Herald