What pregnant women should eat to supplement folic acid

Release time : 09/06/2025 09:30:03

Folic acid is an essential nutrient for women during pregnancy and the postpartum period. It helps in the development of the fetus and can prevent diseases during pregnancy. It is a great source of nutrition for both the baby and the mother.

It's widely known that folic acid is one of the most important nutrients for both preconception and pregnancy. The intake of folic acid is closely related to the normal development of the fetus. If a pregnant woman lacks folic acid during pregnancy, it may lead to fetal malnutrition or even congenital malformations. In severe cases, it can cause miscarriage. So, what should pregnant women eat to supplement folic acid? Most green vegetables and fruits contain folic acid, such as lettuce, spinach, water spinach, cauliflower, bok choy, Chinese cabbage, orange, strawberry, cherry, banana, lemon, peach, apricot, plum, etc. Additionally, animals, beans, and grains also contain folic acid. Among these foods, pomegranates have the highest folic acid content, reaching up to 8%. Therefore, it is advisable for pregnant women to consume more pomegranates.

Expectant mothers can also consume folic acid through taking folic acid supplements or tablets.

For expectant mothers, it is recommended to consume approximately 0.6 mg of folic acid daily, with a maximum intake of 1 mg. Therefore, expectant mothers should also be cautious when supplementing with folic acid! The importance of folic acid for the fetus is well understood by expectant mothers; during pregnancy, the demand for folic acid in pregnant women is four times higher than that of healthy individuals. Folic acid deficiency can lead to fetal abnormalities and may also cause early spontaneous miscarriage.

So, how should we supplement folic acid during pregnancy? And what amount should we take in? Let us learn more about it! Folate is a water-soluble B-vitamin. Pregnant women need more folate than normal people by four times.

It is generally recommended that women of childbearing age should take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, while women planning to become pregnant and during breastfeeding should take 600 micrograms.

Folic acid supplementation should begin 3 months before pregnancy and continue until the full term of pregnancy.

Starting folate supplementation 3 months before conception and continuing during the early pregnancy can help prevent fetal neural tube defects such as anencephaly and spina bifida. Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin. So, what are the benefits of folic acid for the baby? Let's find out! 1. Prevention of neural tube defects (anencephaly, spina bifida).

2. Prevention of fetal cleft lip and palate.

3. To prevent congenital heart disease and other birth defects such as physical malformations.

4. Prevention of anemia in pregnant women, nursing mothers, and fetuses.

5. Promote fetal neural development.

6. Reduce infant mortality.

Expectant mothers preparing for pregnancy or during pregnancy should supplement a certain amount of folic acid every day and eat foods rich in folic acid to reduce the risk of certain birth defects in the baby.

Pregnant women with insufficient intake of folic acid are at an increased risk of miscarriage

Therefore, it is essential for expectant mothers to supplement folic acid during pregnancy! The optimal time to supplement folic acid also depends on the amount consumed daily. When should folic acid be supplemented? If enough folic acid is already consumed during conception, it can reduce the occurrence of neural tube defects in the fetus.

In fact, many women start to take folic acid supplements only after they learn they are pregnant. At that point, it is usually already one or two months after conception, which can result in the development of immature brain and spinal cords in the fetus.

The supplementation of folic acid should continue throughout pregnancy, without interruption.

In the third and fourth trimesters of pregnancy, the synthesis of DNA in the baby, increase in placenta, maternal tissue and red blood cells makes it necessary to increase the need for folic acid. So even though the nervous system is already developed in the early stages of the fetus, a deficiency of folic acid in the middle and late stages of pregnancy can still cause megaloblastic anemia, pre-eclampsia and placental abruption.

Therefore, experts suggest that women should start taking folic acid supplements before they become pregnant.

It is generally recommended to begin taking folic acid at least one month before planning to become pregnant and continue until the 3rd month of pregnancy.

Pregnant women should pay attention to supplementing folic acid during the early stages of pregnancy, as this is a critical period for organ formation in the fetus. Therefore, it is crucial for pregnant women to ensure their nutritional intake meets the needs of the developing baby. Folic acid is one of the essential nutrients that are essential for a healthy pregnancy. Many mothers begin supplementing folic acid before conception to prepare for a normal development of the baby. However, there are some important considerations when supplementing folic acid: 1. Continuous long-term use of folic acid can interfere with zinc metabolism in pregnant women. If zinc intake is insufficient, it can affect fetal development.

2. Pregnant mothers are advised to take folic acid supplements under the guidance of a physician.

3. If a woman has ever given birth to a baby with neural tube defects, she is advised to visit the hospital for a check-up and to increase her daily folic acid intake until 12 weeks after pregnancy.

4. Long-term use of contraceptives, anticonvulsants, and other medications before pregnancy may interfere with the metabolism of folic acid and other vitamins.

Women planning to conceive should stop taking medication six months before pregnancy and supplement with folic acid and other vitamins.

Supplementing folate is beneficial for both mothers and fetuses, but it's crucial to consume the right amount of folate. Excessive intake can interfere with maternal metabolism, while insufficient intake can lead to abnormal fetal development. Therefore, it's essential for mothers to accurately determine their dose and administer folic acid in a reasonable manner! This article covers medical information only for reference purposes.

In case of discomfort, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately. The diagnosis and treatment should be based on the examinations conducted by a licensed physician in person.