Folic acid in pregnancy is key for the proper development of the fetus and to prevent certain problems in the baby. In this vital stage, women’s needs increase and that is why it is common for doctors to advise taking folate supplements as soon as pregnancy is sought, as well as following a diet rich in folic acid.
What is folic acid
Folic acid is the name given to vitamin B9. When this vitamin is present in foods it is called folic acid and when it is supplied in the form of a food supplement or added to foods to enrich them it is known as folate, which is nothing more than a synthetic form of vitamin B9 identical to it in its form, function and benefits.
It is a key nutrient in the formation of red blood cells and for optimal cell function, condition and partitioning.
Folic acid in pregnancy: why is it so important?
Folic acid is a nutrient whose presence is indispensable in the body, especially for the good condition and reproduction of cells. During gestation it is necessary to generate new cells that form the tissues of the fetus.
Folic acid in pregnancy to prevent brain, orofacial and neural tube deformities
It is the best known of the effects of folic acid for the fetus and helps prevent serious problems such as spina bifida. It also helps prevent deformities in the baby’ s brain , as well as orofacial deformities that can affect speech, hearing or feeding.
Prevention of congenital heart defects
Another reason for the importance of folic acid in pregnancy is that it helps prevent heart defects in the fetus, reducing by at least 6% the probability of the baby suffering from congenital heart disease.
Folic acid intake by pregnant women contributes to the optimal development of the fetus
Folic acid deficiency in pregnancy is associated with low birth weight . A baby born with a low birth weight is weaker and has a higher risk of survival and greater problems in coping with infections.
Folic acid for pregnant women for the prevention of preterm delivery
The risk of preeclampsia or miscarriage is higher in women with low folic acid levels. Therefore, for years, doctors have been advising women seeking to become pregnant to start increasing their folic acid intake and continue it during pregnancy.
Postpartum depression
Folic acid helps in the treatment of depression. Taking folic acid in adequate amounts during pregnancy until term helps to reduce the risk of serious postpartum depression.
How to get the folic acid a woman needs during pregnancy
The daily amount of folic acid required by an adult person is 400 micrograms. In the case of pregnant women, this requirement increases by a factor of 2.5 to 1,000 micrograms per day.
Achieving the necessary folic acid through diet during pregnancy is very complicated, one could almost say impossible within a healthy and balanced diet. For this reason, it is recommended to take food supplements with folate during pregnancy.
In addition, some people have difficulty absorbing the folic acid present in food, as is the case, among others, with celiac disease.
Diet rich in folic acid in pregnancy
In the diet you can find folic acid in foods such as lentils, peanuts, chickpeas, calf liver, dark green leafy vegetables, as well as oranges, lemons, bananas and strawberries, among others.
Keep this in mind when deciding your daily menus.
Folate supplementation during pregnancy
Consult your midwife or the medical specialist in charge of your pregnancy if you need extra support.
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