How many months into pregnancy should folic acid be taken?

Folic acid is very important for pregnant women because it can help prevent neural tube defects and malformations in the fetus. However, many pregnant women do not know how many months into pregnancy they should take folic acid. In this article, we will answer this question for you in detail. Download the 40-week pregnancy manual [PDF+TXT version] 1. The role of folic acid Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin that is vital to the health of pregnant women and fetuses. It helps the body make red blood cells and DNA, and can promote the development of the fetal nervous system. If pregnant women are deficient in folic acid, it may lead to fetal neural tube defects, anemia, abnormal intellectual development and other problems. Therefore, pregnant women should maintain adequate folic acid intake throughout pregnancy. 2. Folic acid should be taken until several months into pregnancy. Generally speaking, it is recommended that pregnant women start supplementing with folic acid three months before pregnancy and continue to take it until about three months into pregnancy. This is because the first three months are a critical period for fetal nervous system development, and folic acid supplementation at this time can effectively prevent fetal neural tube defects. However, this is not absolute, and the specific time for folic acid supplementation should be determined according to individual circumstances. 3. How to supplement folic acid Pregnant women can supplement folic acid by taking oral folic acid tablets. Generally speaking, supplementing with 0.4 mg of folic acid per day is safe and effective in preventing fetal neural tube defects. Pregnant women can also increase their folic acid intake by eating more folic acid-rich foods, such as green leafy vegetables, beans, nuts, fruits, etc. 4. Be careful not to over-supplement folic acid: Although folic acid supplementation has many benefits for pregnant women and fetuses, excessive folic acid supplementation may also have negative effects on the body. Therefore, pregnant women should follow the doctor\’s advice when taking folic acid supplements and control their intake. Folic acid supplementation under special circumstances: For pregnant women under special circumstances, such as those suffering from certain diseases or in certain special circumstances, a more stringent folic acid supplementation plan may be required. Advice from a doctor or nutritionist should be sought at this time. In short, folic acid is very important for pregnant women to help prevent fetal neural tube defects and malformations. However, pregnant women should start taking folic acid supplements three months before pregnancy and continue taking them until about three months into pregnancy. At the same time, pregnant women should also pay attention to controlling their folic acid intake and avoid excessive supplementation. When supplementing folic acid, pregnant women can increase their folic acid intake by taking oral folic acid tablets and eating more folic acid-rich foods. Finally, pregnant women should also pay attention to following the advice of doctors and nutritionists to ensure the health of themselves and their fetuses. \”For pregnant women, health is like a lottery ticket. You only realize its value when you have it.\” – Carl Jung