At the planning stage of pregnancy and immediately after conception, doctors recommend taking folic acid. This appointment has become widespread not so long ago, as a result of which women often doubt the expediency. They explain this with well-known excuses: “Our mothers and grandmothers gave birth without any 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 essential for the development of the immune and circulatory systems. 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 shown to prevent anemia in pregnant women. Only at that time they did not take pills, but yeast extract. Later, another important fact was clarified. The fact is that thanks to the vitamin, the risk of developing diseases of the neural tube of the fetus is reduced by 70%. Moreover, the use of folic acid has completely reduced the incidence of miscarriages, as 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 previously had missed pregnancies or cases of the birth of a child with neural tube defects. If such a situation occurs, then the dosage is increased, but a certain amount is set by the doctor, since excessive consumption of the vitamin does not bring benefits.
Is folic acid necessary for conception?
We note right away that this vitamin does not affect the efficiency of fertilization. Its purpose is to reduce the risk of developing several diseases.
As a rule, the composition of vitamin complexes for pregnancy planning already includes folic acid for conception. Reviews of such drugs are positive, as they contain all the necessary trace elements.
Many women believe that taking the remedy 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 maximum benefit from the drug, then itsreception should begin about three months before the intended conception. By the end of the first trimester, you can stop taking the drug, as complex multivitamins are prescribed, in which this vitamin is present.
Should I take folic acid if a pregnant woman is already prescribed a multivitamin complex?
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 drug is justified only under strict indications.
Folic acid content in foods
- Beans: 300mcg per 100g
- Walnuts: 155mcg per 100g
- Brussels sprouts: 132mcg per 100g
- Hazelnuts: 113mcg per 100g
- Broccoli: 110mcg per 100g
- Melon: 100mcg per 100g
- Strawberries: 62mcg per 100g
- Grapes: 43mcg per 100g
- Oranges: 30mcg per 100g
What is folic acid for?
This substance is needed for:
- digestion and breakdown of proteins in the body;
- cell division;
- ensuring normal hematopoiesis: formation of platelets, leukocytes, erythrocytes;
- absorption of sugar and amino acids;
- participation in the formation of DNA and RNA, which are responsible for the transmission of hereditary traits;
- warning developmentatherosclerosis;
- reduce the risk of food poisoning;
- improve appetite and work of the alimentary tract.
Folic acid before pregnancy
Each of us knows that pregnancy for a woman is not only a joyful expectation, but also the occurrence of a number of problems. The body spends all its energy on the development of a new life, as a result of which vitamins, useful microelements are spent on the child. The expectant mother is left with only what was not used for the baby. Unfortunately, there is not always something to stay. For this reason, folic acid is necessary for conception. To be more precise, it is desirable to take complex vitamins in order 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 (hypotrophy, neural tube defect, mental and physical retardation, anencephaly);
- early miscarriage;
- partial or absolute placental abruption;
- missed pregnancy.
Of course, this does not mean that without taking this vitamin, you will definitely 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.
Worth noting is the misconception that folic acid promotes conception. The vitamin does not affect these processes in any way.
How longshould take folic acid
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 foods that contain folic acid. Reviews about the drugs are different, but there are actually no negative ratings. Allergic and other undesirable reactions are not observed, and it is difficult to judge a positive effect. After all, we do not see whether the drug prevented the development of the disease in a particular case. But the main thing is that babies whose mothers took folic acid were born at term without the defects mentioned above.
Multiple pregnancy
As statistics have shown, folic acid is indeed used to conceive twins. Of course, this does not mean that you will definitely have twins, but the chances increase by 40%. Unfortunately, none of the doctors will tell you 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
Everyone keeps pointingon the fact that women need to take vitamins, including folic acid. At the same time, few people know that men should take care of their he alth. In addition, the lack of vitamin negatively affects the condition of spermatozoa, their mobility and quality. So it is desirable that folic acid for conception is taken not only by expectant mothers.
But the drug is prescribed, as a rule, only after problems have been identified. Up to this point, it is extremely rare for men to take vitamins themselves. Despite the comprehensive development of medicine and wide access to information, many men mistakenly believe that the effectiveness of conception depends solely on the woman. Also, the entire responsibility for the he alth of the unborn baby is shifted to the mother.
Studies show a different picture. Improper diet, unhe althy lifestyle, congenital diseases, problems with the gastrointestinal tract increase the risk of problems with conception. If fertilization has occurred, then pathologies and defects in the fetus 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 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 takingdrug, then follow the instructions. Depending on the concentration of the vitamin in one tablet, the dosage regimen also differs. In most cases, 0.4 mg per day is enough to plan 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. An excess of vitamins in the body often leads to serious problems, and this also 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.
