Have a Healthy Baby - Take Folic Acid!

By Stephanie Sosnowski

If you are thinking about becoming pregnant today, tomorrow or perhaps even several years from now, today is the time to prepare! Besides getting regular health and dental checkups, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, all women who could become pregnant are urged to take a daily folic acid supplement.  

What is Folic Acid?

Folic acid, a B vitamin, also known as folate, is needed by our bodies to help make new cells. Everyone needs to have enough folic acid, but a woman who may become pregnant, having enough in her body BEFORE she becomes pregnant can help to prevent certain types of birth defects, known as neural tube defects (NTD). Folic acid can reduce these defects by more than 70%. These defects of the spine can cause mental defects, physical deformities, or even death in a newborn. 

Don’t wait to start taking folic acid.

Because nearly 50% of all pregnancies are unplanned, many women may not even realize they are pregnant until a month into the pregnancy. This is when baby’s organs are developing, and the mother’s supply of folic acid helps complete the closure of the spinal column. Folic acid has the most benefit when taken before pregnancy.

Where is Folic Acid?

Although many foods contain folic acid, the best way to get the proper amount, 400 micrograms (mcg) a day, is in the form of a synthetic supplement. 

If you are already taking a daily multiple vitamin, check the label for 400 mcg. of folic acid (sometimes listed as .4 mg). Do not take more than one multiple vitamin a day!  Prenatal vitamins contain folic acid - continue taking them during pregnancy.  Folic acid supplements can also be purchased separately.

A few other sources of folic acid

• Dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli and kale
• Fortified breads and breakfast cereals
• Black beans, lentils, peanuts
• Orange juice

Healthy moms help to make healthier babies!

• If you smoke cigarettes, quit now. Avoid secondhand smoke, too. 
• If you are overweight, try to lose weight now; don’t wait until you are pregnant to go on a diet. 
• There is no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy, so don’t drink wine, beer, wine coolers, or any other alcoholic beverages while you are trying to become pregnant. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which can include mental retardation and physical disabilities.  These are lifelong conditions without a cure, but they are 100% preventable – pregnant women should not drink alcohol!
• If you are pregnant, keep your unborn baby safe by avoiding infections.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, stay away from cat 

          litter boxes, and cook meat until it’s well done.

• Get tested for sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis B, and protect yourself from them.
• When you are pregnant, remember that getting prenatal care is very important. If you need health insurance, contact MISN – we can determine if you are eligible for free or low-cost coverage.

Stephanie Sosnowski, ICCE, CLC, is Deputy Director for Maternal-Infant Services Network (MISN) of Orange, Sullivan and Ulster Counties, a not-for-profit organization that coordinates health and human services for pregnant women and children. Visit our website at www.misn-ny.org  or call 1-800-453-4666 for more information.

For More Information on FREE or LOW COST Health Insurance, Prenatal Care or Breastfeeding Support Call 1-800-453-4666.