Most women don't think about the essential nutrients during pregnancy until they find out that they are pregnant. In this article, you will learn the importance of taking folic acid if you are planning to have a baby.
Folic acid is one of the B vitamins essential for the healthy development of both the brain and spine of a growing fetus. It is important for a woman to start taking folic acid before she begins planning a pregnancy, since birth defects of the brain and spine in fetuses occur during the first weeks of pregnancy. Folic acid is an essential vitamin to take when planning, during and after pregnancy, as well as while breastfeeding.
Fetal neural tube defects occur within the first 28 days of pregnancy, before most women even realize they are pregnant. This information should be emphasized, since more than half of the loads in Jordan are unplanned.
The Jordanian Ministry of Health recommends that women planning a pregnancy should take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, for at least the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. If a woman has previously had a baby with neural tube defects, she should discuss the appropriate dose of folic acid with her gynecologist before her next pregnancy.
It is very important to continue to eat a variety of foods rich in folic acid during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. Natural sources of folic acid include: leafy green vegetables, nuts, beans and citrus plants. One serving of breakfast cereal includes the woman's daily intake of folic acid. Look for breakfast cereals that contain 100% of the daily need for folic acid per serving, which ranges between 400-600 mcg.
Even if a woman takes good care of her diet, she may not be able to get all the vitamins she needs from food alone, which is why it is important to take vitamins with folic acid every day.
How to Enhance Absorption of Folic Acid Supplements
Take a folic acid supplement right before breakfast or before going to bed. The absorption of folic acid supplements is slightly reduced if taken with food
Drink enough water when taking folic acid supplements
Avoid drinking black or green tea as they reduce the absorption rates of folic acid supplements
Take advice from the doctor if the woman is taking any other medications during pregnancy, as some medications reduce the absorption of folic acid, and folic acid in turn reduces the effectiveness of some medications.
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