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Folic acid
Why it's important to take extra folic acid.
Is everyone's baby at risk? YES
• Whatever your age.
• Whether you're a first-time mother or already have children.
• Even if spina bifida doesn't run in your family and you are in the best of health.
• There is a higher risk if you have already given birth to a baby with this condition.
Tell me what risk?
Neural tube defects are caused when the neural tube, which will become the baby's spine, does not form properly very early in pregnancy. This has been linked to a lack of folic acid. Taking extra folic acid before becoming pregnant and during early pregnancy can prevent most cases of spina bifida and other neural tube defects.
Who should take extra folic acid?
If there is a possibility that you will become pregnant, then you should be taking folic acid.
What is folic acid?
Folic acid is a natural B vitamin. It cannot be made by the body, so it needs to be taken in as food or in a tablet. However, doctors believe that, although folic acid is found in many foods, it is very difficult to get enough to help protect your baby from spina bifida from food alone.
How can I get enough folic acid to help prevent spina bifida?
The best way to get enough folic acid to help prevent spina bifida and other neural tube defects is to take one folic acid tablet (400 micrograms) every day. You can buy these over the counter from your chemist or you can get them free of charge on prescription from your doctor if you have a medical card.
Make sure you are taking a tablet that contains only folic acid and not a multivitamin tablet. While getting enough folic acid from your usual food intake is very difficult, the only other way to get extra is to eat plenty of foods which have extra folic acid added. Most breakfast cereals and some types of bread and milk have extra folic acid added - check the label.
When should I start?
Right now if there is any possibility that you will become pregnant. Remember 50% of all pregnancies are unplanned.
Why right now?
Because the baby's spine develops very early in pregnancy, even before you may realise you are pregnant, it is important to start taking folic acid before you become pregnant - ideally at least two months beforehand.
Continue taking folic acid until you attend the maternity hospital and then follow the instructions of your Consultant and General Practitioner.
What if I am already pregnant?
If you find out you are pregnant, start taking a folic acid tablet (400 micrograms) today and continue until you go for your first check up to the maternity hospital. Remember that neural tube defects are quite rare and most babies are born perfectly healthy, so don't worry too much if you didn't take folic acid in early pregnancy.
Where can I get more information about folic acid and spina bifida or other neural tube defects?
Talk to your family doctor, your community dietitian/nutritionist, your public health nurse, your chemist, or your local health board.
Content thanks to YouthHealthNE authors.
