can i take prenatal vitamins and folic acid?
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Taking folic acid and other prenatal vitamins can help reduce the risk of some birth defects. Keep taking prenatal vitamins throughout your entire pregnancy.
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“We found no evidence to recommend that all pregnant women should take prenatal multi-nutrient supplements beyond the nationally advised folic acid and vitamin D supplements." The researchers reviewed data from dozens of previous studies examining the effects of taking multivitamin supplements in pregnant women.
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Because they typically contain higher doses of essential nutrients like folic acid, calcium and iron, prenatal vitamins can help to ensure your little one's healthy development while he's nursing—and can help you feel better while you're recovering from childbirth.
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The bottom line Taking a prenatal vitamin is perfectly healthy for someone not looking to conceive. While it won't support fertility, it will replenish folic acid, iron, vitamin D, and calcium stores in the body. This can help keep you strong and prevent potential health complications in an unexpected pregnancy.
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Ideally, you should take folic acid supplements for two to three months before you conceive and until you are 12 weeks pregnant. But try not to worry if you haven't started taking the supplements yet and start taking it now. You can talk to your GP or midwife if you have any concerns.
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If a woman has enough folic acid in her body before she is pregnant, it can help prevent major birth defects of her baby's brain and spine. These birth defects are neural tube defects or NTDs. Women need to take folic acid every day, starting before they are pregnant to help prevent NTDs.
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When Should You Take Prenatal Vitamins? Folic acid should be started at least one month prior to conception. It's best to start taking prenatal vitamins while you're trying to get pregnant. The birth defects prevented by folic acid happen within the first few weeks of pregnancy -- before you even know you're expecting.
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Since prenatal vitamins provide higher amounts of folate, it's a good idea to continue taking them throughout lactation. If desired, a regular multivitamin can be taken plus an additional folate supplement.
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Now, experts suggest starting a prenatal vitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid before you try to have a baby. This important nutrient prevents spinal defects in growing babies. See if your prenatal vitamin has DHA. This type of omega-3 fatty acid can help the health of your baby once you get pregnant.
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Why should I take folic acid? If you have the right level of folic acid in your body before you get pregnant, it reduces the risk of the baby developing neural tube defects by up to 70%. Neural tube defects are problems with the brain or spinal cord, including spina bifida.
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That's where prenatal vitamins come in. Unlike a regular multivitamin, prenatals are packed with all-important nutrients that you and your baby need right now — including, most importantly, folic acid, which helps prevent neural tube defects like spina bifida.
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You should take a supplement with 400 micrograms of folic acid per day from 12 weeks before you become pregnant through to the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Folic acid supplements are available over the counter from pharmacies at varying doses. Look for supplements that contain at least 400 micrograms of folic acid.
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Whether or not you're pregnant, you should talk to your doctor before adding any prenatals or other supplements to your health routine. If there's any chance you could get pregnant soon, yes, experts do suggest taking some form of folic acid.
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When do I need to start taking prenatal vitamins? Start taking folic acid at least 1 month before you start trying to get pregnant. The first few weeks of pregnancy are a really important time for fetal health and development. Taking folic acid and other prenatal vitamins can help reduce the risk of some birth defects.
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NICE recommends women should take 400 micrograms of folic acid each day, from before pregnancy until the end of the first trimester (first 12 weeks), and 10 micrograms of vitamin D daily throughout pregnancy and while breastfeeding. No other supplements are recommended for routine use.
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Taking a prenatal vitamin with the recommended 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid before and during pregnancy can help prevent birth defects of your baby's brain and spinal cord. Take it every day and go ahead and have a bowl of fortified cereal, too.
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Folic Acid: Folic acid is a B vitamin that can help prevent major birth defects. Take a vitamin with 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day, before and during pregnancy. Smoking during pregnancy is the single most preventable cause of illness and death among mothers and infants.