What are the consequences of not taking folic acid during pregnancy?

Pregnancy is a very critical stage for both mother and fetus. Dietary and nutrient intake is crucial for the healthy development of the fetus. As an important nutrient, folic acid plays an important role in the diet during pregnancy. So, what will be the impact if you don’t take folic acid during pregnancy? First, folic acid plays a vital role in the development of the fetal nervous system. In early pregnancy, the fetus\’s nervous system is developing rapidly, and folic acid can help maintain normal spinal and brain development. Failure to consume enough folic acid during pregnancy may increase the risk of neural tube defects in the fetus, such as spina bifida and encephalomyelocele. Secondly, folic acid also plays an important role in fetal DNA synthesis and repair. During pregnancy, the fetal cells divide and grow very quickly, and folic acid can provide the necessary genetic material to support the normal development of the fetus. Lack of folic acid during pregnancy may affect fetal DNA synthesis and cell division, leading to abnormal fetal development. Download the 40-week pregnancy manual [PDF+TXT version] In addition, folic acid can also prevent anemia in pregnant women. During pregnancy, due to the increased nutritional needs of the fetus, the blood volume of the pregnant woman will also increase accordingly. If you do not consume enough folic acid during pregnancy, it may cause anemia symptoms in pregnant women, such as weakness, fatigue, and dizziness. Anemia will not only affect the quality of life of pregnant women, but may also affect the oxygen and nutrient supply of the fetus, adversely affecting the development of the fetus. In addition, folic acid also plays an important role in the cardiovascular health of pregnant women. Due to the development of the fetus and the expansion of the uterus during pregnancy, the cardiovascular system of pregnant women will bear a greater burden. If you do not consume enough folic acid during pregnancy, you may increase your risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure and heart disease. To sum up, not taking folic acid during pregnancy will have adverse effects on the development of the fetus and the health of pregnant women. Therefore, it is recommended that pregnant women take enough folic acid during pregnancy. According to the recommendations of professional organizations, pregnant women should consume 400 micrograms of folic acid every day. Folic acid is concentrated in many foods, such as green leafy vegetables (spinach, rape, etc.), beans, nuts, animal liver, etc. In addition, pregnant women can also consider taking folic acid nutritional supplements to ensure adequate folic acid intake. In short, not taking folic acid during pregnancy will have a negative impact on the health of the fetus and pregnant woman. Ensuring adequate folic acid intake is essential for fetal nervous system development, DNA synthesis and repair, prevention of anemia, and maintenance of cardiovascular health in pregnant women.