Folic acid for pregnant women

Folic acid is an indispensable vitamin for pregnant women, but is prescribed not only in the period of gestation, but also at the stage of pregnancy planning. The second name is vitamin B9. It is this substance that takes a direct part in the process of DNA synthesis, as well as hemopoiesis, cell division and growth. This vitamin is urgently needed by the body at the time of the laying of the neural tube, from which the development of the nervous system of the future baby is taking place.

What leads to a lack of folic acid in the body?

Often among pregnant women, the question arises as to why folic acid is needed by the body and what is fraught with its deficiency. So, a deficiency of this vitamin in the body can lead to:

• formation of defects in the human nervous system (hydrocephalus, cerebral hernia, etc.);
• malformations of the cardiovascular system;
• the formation of the placenta.

It is the last complication and the increase in the development of spontaneous abortions with a deficiency of folic acid. In addition, those women who, when carrying a fetus, lack vitamin B9, are more likely to develop symptoms of toxicosis, depression, anemia.

How often and in doses do you need to take folic acid?

Women, learning about the need for folic acid, think about how to take it to pregnant women, how much to drink per day. According to the accepted medical norms, an adult has enough 200 μg per day. However, for pregnant women, the minimum dosage of folic acid is doubled, and is 400 μg per day. It all depends on the severity of the lack of vitamin in the body of a woman.

The most common dosage in which vitamin B9 is produced is 1000 μg. Therefore, a woman usually prescribed 1 tablet a day.

Do drugs contain folic acid?

Most often, women who are carrying a baby are prescribed directly vitamin B9. However, there are other preparations for pregnant women, which contain folic acid in their composition.

So, the most common are:

• Folio;
• Materna;
• Elevit;
• Pregnavit;
• Vitrum Prenatal;
• Multi-tabs.

The drugs listed above refer to vitamin complexes that contain folic acid in their composition. However, the content of this component in such preparations is different, so it is necessary to take into account the dosage of folic acid in the appointment of a vitamin complex. For example, Folio contains 400 μg, Matera - 1000 μg, Pregnavit - 750 μg.

Why can an excess of folic acid in the body be transferred?

Despite the fact that folic acid does not have any toxic effect on the body, an overdose of the drug is still possible. The excessive content of vitamin B9 in the blood leads to a decrease in the vitamin B12 concentration, resulting in anemia, gastrointestinal upset, and increased nervous excitability.

However, such phenomena are observed quite rarely, for example, if a woman for 3 months or more will take a day for 10-15 mg of the drug.

In addition, it is necessary to take into account the fact that folic acid can enter the body and with food. So, walnuts, almonds, cereals (oatmeal, buckwheat rice), sunflower seeds, fermented milk products, etc., are rich in this vitamin. Therefore, if a woman takes a preparation containing folic acid, the amount of these foods in the diet should be reduced.

Thus, pregnant women, even knowing the dosage of folic acid, which they need to take, should not take the drug on their own without consulting a doctor.