Folic acid is required during pregnancy to prevent the occurrence of fetal neural tube malformations.
Folic acid is a water-soluble B vitamin. Pregnant women’s need for folic acid is four times higher than that of normal people, and the human body is unable to synthesize folic acid on its own, so it needs to be ingested through food. Folic acid plays an important role in cell division and growth as well as nucleic acid and protein synthesis.
Inadequate intake of folic acid by pregnant women can lead to abnormal brain and spinal development of the fetus, resulting in anencephaly and spina bifida. Not only that, folic acid also reduces the likelihood of miscarriage in pregnant women. Thus, it is necessary to take folic acid before pregnancy in order to prevent fetal neural tube malformation and reduce the risk of birth defects in babies.
If you need to take folic acid, it is recommended to go to the hospital and take it according to the need and the dosage under the doctor’s guidance, do not take it on your own as it may cause adverse consequences.