Why folic acid is so important during pregnancy

Most vitamins are already sufficiently absorbed through a , even during pregnancy. The exception is folic acid! Folic acid is one of those vitamins for which the increased need during pregnancy cannot be met solely through diet. In this article, you will learn why taking folic acid supplements during pregnancy is so important, how much folic acid you should take, and why you should start doing so even if you are trying to conceive.

What is folic acid?

Folic acid belongs to the B-vitamin group and is also known by the name Vitamin B9. The designation Folic Acid derives from Latin folium , e.g. 'leaf', since the vitamin occurs predominantly in green plant leaves. Although folic acid is essential for numerous human metabolic processes, the body cannot produce it on its own and must obtain it through food. An imbalance in diet can therefore lead to a deficiency, which manifests as persistent fatigue, weakness, irritability, loss of appetite, Diarrhea and depressive moods manifest.

What is the difference from folate?

The term is often heard in connection with folic acid as well. Folate . Strictly speaking, folic acid refers only to the synthetic, industrially produced form of the vitamin, as it can be purchased in dietary supplements. Folate, on the other hand, is the naturally occurring form, which is found, for example, in green leafy vegetables. Synthetic folic acid cannot be directly utilized by the body but is first converted into the biologically active form, folate.

Why is folic acid important during pregnancy?

Regardless of pregnancy, folate is involved in various metabolic processes in every person and is therefore important for the body's cell division and growth processes. An adequate folate intake is thus relevant, among other things, for blood formation, since the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow frequently divide. When you are pregnant, your folate requirements increase because your baby needs to grow and be sufficiently supplied. The vitamin is particularly important for the closure of your unborn child's neural tube. The neural tube is the embryonic structure of the central nervous system, from which the spinal cord and spine develop. If there is a folate deficiency in the first weeks of pregnancy, the risk increases that your child will have a neural tube defect (med. Spina bifida , known as open back), is born. Also, the risk of missing brain development (med. Anencephaly ), a heart defect and a cleft lip and palate can be increased in your baby if you suffer from a vitamin B9 deficiency. According to current scientific knowledge, these risks can be reduced by more than 70 percent with timely and adequate intake of folic acid supplements.

How much folic acid should I take during pregnancy?

It is best to discuss with your doctor/your doctor how the optimal dosage looks for you. They can best assess how many micrograms of folic acid you should take. The regular daily requirement for an adult is 400 micrograms per day and is covered through a balanced diet. For pregnant women in the first trimester, the German Society for Nutrition and the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment recommend an additional 400 micrograms of folic acid per day in the form of a dietary supplement. Since organ formation is completed in the first trimester, the folic acid requirement in the second and third trimesters is lower. Your doctor can tell you whether it makes sense for you to continue taking folic acid supplements.

How do I meet my folic acid needs?

On the one hand, you can pay attention to a folate-rich diet. Good sources of the vitamin include, for example, green leafy vegetables like spinach or kale, whole grain products, nuts, and legumes. However, since folate is highly sensitive to light and heat and also water-soluble, you should buy these foods fresh, process them quickly, and cook them gently or consume them raw. However, the recommended folate intake for pregnant women cannot be obtained solely through diet. To ensure that pregnant women receive enough of the vitamin, experts therefore recommend additionally taking folic acid supplements. They are available over-the-counter in pharmacies or drugstores in the form of tablets, capsules, effervescent tablets, or dragees.

Should I start taking folic acid already when trying to conceive?

This question can be answered with a clear "Yes!". It takes several weeks for the body to build up the necessary folic acid level. However, the neural tube of the child closes around the 28th day of pregnancy, so sufficient intake of the vitamin should already be in place by that time. Many women do not even realize they are pregnant in the first few weeks after conception. Therefore, if you only start taking folic acid after a positive pregnancy test, it may be too late in some cases. Experts therefore recommend beginning to take folic acid supplements as soon as you are trying to conceive, ideally four weeks before pregnancy occurs.

Should I continue taking folic acid after pregnancy?

Our gynecologist Christian recommends taking folic acid supplements throughout pregnancy to promote an optimal . But there is also an increased need for folate during breastfeeding, as the vitamin is required for cell division and thus for the healthy growth of your baby. It is best to consult your doctor about the correct dosage during breastfeeding and the duration of intake.

If you're still looking for more information on the topic, check out our YouTube video. There, our LILLYDOO gynecologist Christian explains which dietary supplements can still be useful for mom and her unborn baby:

We hope we could shed some light on the jungle of dietary supplements for you and wish you a healthy pregnancy!