Folic acid, a B vitamin, also called B9, is needed by your body to produce red blood cells, norepinephrine and chromogranin (a chemical component of the nervous system). Folic acid assists in the synthesis of DNA (the body’s genetic material), maintains normal brain function and is an important component part of the spinal fluid. Folic acid is important for mothers-to-be, and it is best for mothers-to-be to start taking folic acid during the first 3 months of pregnancy. According to research, starting 400 μg of folic acid daily before pregnancy can reduce the incidence of neural tube defects (NTDs) in newborns by 70%. Therefore, women who are planning to get pregnant should start taking 400 μg of folic acid daily before they get pregnant. I. Folic acid is especially important for pregnant women According to the latest data from the China Birth Defects Surveillance Network, about 1 out of every 800 babies born in China has a neural tube defect. If folic acid is deficient during the first 3 months of pregnancy, it can lead to fetal neural tube development defects, thus increasing the incidence of cleft brain and anencephalic children. Secondly, regular folic acid supplementation for pregnant women can prevent congenital malformations such as low birth weight, premature birth, spinal bulge, spina bifida, and cleft palate (harelip) in infants. Mothers-to-be who are planning to conceive or are in the early stages of pregnancy should take daily folic acid supplements and eat foods rich in folic acid to reduce the risk of their babies developing certain birth defects. Pregnant women who do not consume enough folic acid increase the likelihood of miscarriage. By mid-pregnancy (starting from the 13th week of pregnancy), you can stop taking the supplements if you don’t want to, but it won’t be harmful to you or your baby if you keep taking them throughout your pregnancy. The best time to take folic acid supplements The best time to take folic acid supplements should be from 3 months before you are ready to get pregnant to early pregnancy. Folic acid supplementation is continued until the end of pregnancy and cannot be stopped. In mid and late pregnancy, the synthesis of baby’s DNA, placenta, maternal tissues and red blood cells increase your need for folic acid, so even though the baby’s nervous system has been developed in early pregnancy, the lack of folic acid in mid and late pregnancy can still cause megaloblastic anemia, pre-eclampsia and placental abruption. What foods are rich in folic acid Green leafy vegetables are a good source of folic acid, and animal liver and some fruits are also rich in folic acid. Here are some examples of foods rich in folic acid for mothers-to-be: 1, green vegetables lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, carrots, bok choy, lobster, cauliflower, rape, cabbage, lentils, pods, mushrooms, etc. 2, fresh fruit oranges, strawberries, cherries, bananas, lemons, peaches, plums, apricots, prunes, begonias, dates, hawthorn, pomegranates, grapes, kiwi, pears, pecans, etc. 3. Animal food animal liver, kidney, poultry meat and eggs, such as pork liver, chicken, beef, lamb, etc. 4, beans, nuts food soy, soy products, walnuts, cashew nuts, chestnuts, almonds, pine nuts, etc. 5, cereals barley, rice bran, wheat germ, brown rice, etc. 6, walnut oil also contains folic acid In addition, a small daily dose of folic acid supplements is one of the best ways to obtain folic acid, can make up for the lack of folic acid intake in food.