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/lp/wiley/folic-acid-S7u8WecKgc
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Copyright
- © 2016 by the American College of Nurse‐Midwives
- ISSN
- 1526-9523
- eISSN
- 1542-2011
- DOI
- 10.1111/jmwh.12584
- pmid
- 27926803
- Publisher site
- See Article on Publisher Site
Abstract
Share with Women What is folic acid? Folic acid is a Bvitamin.The body usesfolic acid to help makeredbloodcells and many other new cells. The folic acidfound naturally in food issometimescalledfolate. Why is folic acid important? Peoplewho donot get enough folic acid in their diet can get anemia whichmeans their blooddoes not carry oxygen well, and they mayfeelvery tired and weak. Getting enough folic acid is very important in pregnancy. Taking a folic acidpill everydaystarting a few monthsbefore youget pregnant or assoon asyouknow you are pregnant can help prevent some problems in your baby’s spine andbrain called neural tube defects. Severe neural tube defectscan cause death or makeithardfor your baby to walk. Folic acid helps the baby’s spinal cordgrow normally in the firsttrimester.Takingfolic acidduringpregnancy can prevent almostall neural tube defectsfrom occurring. How much folic acid do I need? Mostwomen need to haveabout 400 micrograms(mcg) offolic acid in their diet everyday. Youcan get some folic acid in the foods you eat. What foods have folic acid? Leafy green vegetables are verygoodsources offolic acid. Folic acid is also found in cookeddrybeans, nuts, and seeds. Manyfoods youbuy haveextra folic acid addedsuchasbread, pasta, rice, andseveralbreakfast cereals. Youcan check foodlabels at the store to see
Journal
Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health – Wiley
Published: Nov 1, 2016